April is a busy month for all those who observe a variety of religious holidays. During this month, members of Sikh faith celebrate Vaisakhi (April 13^th), members of Muslim faith celebrate Ramadan (March 22^nd – April 20^th), and members who are Catholics are celebrating Easter (April 9^th).

This month is also known as Sikh Heritage Month. The government of Canada was the first country to officially recognize Sikh Heritage Month in 2019.

  We wish you all a   Happy Easter

 Happy Ramadan,  Happy Vaisakhi 

   In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President

lb/CUPE-3338

During this election campaign, there have been a number of rumours, inaccuracies and misconceptions about our local and how it operates. Having heard some of these rumours, the Vancouver Local Executive would like to set the record straight so that members are basing their decisions on accurate information.

Rumour: Officers are able to campaign on union paid time

Fact: Officers running for another term are campaigning on their personal time. All of their time off is documented and reviewed by the trustee’s committee.

Rumour: There is only one sole legal representative of CUPW

Fact: CUPW Executives and advocates are the only authorized representatives of the membership. CUPW will also contract outside legal services at a National and Regional level for interpretations of matters relating to the Canada Labour Code, Federal legislation, and other matters of concern to working conditions of Postal Workers

Rumour: The Local is misappropriating funds from the budget

Fact: Local finances are reviewed quarterly by the trustee’s committee, and the finances are audited annually by an outside chartered accountant, Culver & Co. The reports of the trustees and the auditor are shared at the General Membership Meeting for all members to review and ask questions before voting to approve the reports.
Article 9.30 of the National Constitution states-
9.30: The National Office shall prepare and supply an appropriate form for submission of an annual financial report by all Locals, except those using the services of a chartered accountant firm to audit their accounts and submit an annual financial statement.

read more here

The CUPW National Constitution sets the basic dues rate for Urban Operations workers at 300% of the maximum hourly rate for the lowest classification within the bargaining unit.

RSMC dues have been set at 1.71% of the wage portion received by each member, to a monthly maximum equal to the dues for Urban Operation members.

With the current collective agreements, there is a 2% wage increase for the RSMC and Urban Operations bargaining units.

The new maximum monthly deduction for union dues for members of the RSMC bargaining unit effective January 1, 2023 is $90.61.

The Urban Operations new monthly deduction for union dues is $90.61, effective February 1, 2023.

The new monthly deduction for union dues will be collected on pay period 3.
However, since the union dues increase for RSMC was not done on January 1st, union dues arrears will be collected on pay period 6. This is the month when you have 3 pays.

However, since the union dues increase for RSMC was not done on January 1st, union dues arrears will be collected on pay period 6. This is the month when you have 3 pays.

Attached is a chart showing the 2023 basic dues rates as well as the exceptions for those Locals with local assessments.

I trust this information will assist in answering members’ questions about the monthly union dues deduction, which members will observe on their pay statements.

In solidarity,
Beverly Collins National Secretary-Treasurer
2019-2023/ Bulletin no 428
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