Cousins & Comrades.

Here is your 2^nd CUPW 730 update for March 2020!

1. Anti-SSD Day of Action – March 5^th A Huge Success!
   
   The struggle against the unilateral implementation of SSD (nightrouters prepping 8-hour routes for both carriers & RSMCs) continues to grow as the Edmonton & Calgary locals are now officially partnering to train more workfloor organizers to build the capacity needed to meaningfully fight back. On March 5^th, all of Metro-Edmonton participated in reading statements and sending solidarity pictures to Calgary (both attached below). The fact that activists in each of our facilities were able to coordinate an event of this scope with less than 2 days notice is a testament to all the effort our local has put into empowering our workfloors. A big, heartfelt ‘thank you!’ to all those that helped to send this message of solidarity to Calgary – they very much need and appreciate your support! In the coming weeks, we will also be supporting them with a petition.
   
   Statement excerpt: “Edmonton activists have been busy trying to help other locals throughout the Prairie region to organize their own workfloors precisely so we can mount a strong and sustained enough campaign against these sorts of attacks. If Calgary tries to fight this on their own, they will lose, and the rest of us will be next. In the coming months, we must continue to do what we can to support them as well as coordinate an escalating fight to do what it takes to stop SSD in its tracks. Today, we’re sending a message to our cousins and comrades in Calgary that we stand with you and are committed to helping you prepare for the battle ahead. An injury to one is an injury to all! Together, we are mighty!”
   
   Statement & Photos (link here)
   High-Res Photos (link here)
   
   
   
   
2. Local Elections – Advance Voting Wed, Mar 25 – Voting Day Sat, April 4
   
   At the Sat, April 4 GMM (6pm @ Union Office), 9 non-Executive positions will be elected off the floor (attached 2^nd page). The only challenged Executive position which must be voted on by before the April 4 GMM is for the Grievance officer position. In the coming weeks each of the Grievance office candidates will be trying to make it to the work facilities to win your vote. Since they have to use their own personal/vacation time to campaign, please do not be offended if a candidate does not make it out to your facility – they may not be able to afford to! The latest issue of our newsletter is being finalized and will contain write-ups from all the candidates so please be sure to take a look once it hits your workfloor. We will also try to include the candidate info in a future email update.
   
   Advance Voting: Wed, Mar 25, 6am-8pm @ the Lions Centre (11113 113st)
   
   Voting Day: Sat, Apr 4, 12pm-5pm @ the Union Office (18121 107ave)
   
   Election Notices (link here) 

3. COVID-19 – Keep Calm & Practice Good Hygiene
   
   Even though Edmonton has largely avoided the growing pandemic this does not mean steps are not being taken to prevent an escalating problem. We are very fortunate that postal workers before us fought for provisions such as paid personal time and quarantine leave, both of which will be indispensable tools in mitigating harm to our members that most non-union workers do not have the benefit of. For permanent urban members article 21.06 (pg 167) of the collective agreement is clear that “an employee is entitled to leave with pay for time lost due to quarantine where he or she is unable to work, as certified by a qualified medical practitioner.” To clarify, you need supported documentation from a doctor confirming you have the virus along with a directive that you be quarantined for a specific amount if time.
   
   Since the union believes that CPC can do more to prevent things from going off the rails, our local office has requested a consult with CPC for next week to specifically extend quarantine leave to all classifications (including temps) as well as develop firm policy on what to do if someone accidently contaminates a work environment. I want to stress that consults are very rarely effective in that CPC is never bound to any of our requests. The hope is that with the union trying to get out ahead of this crisis and pressuring CPC to do the right thing, they may actually yield to reason in this very unique, and serious, circumstance. We will keep you updated on any developments.
   
   COVID-19 Notice (link here)
   Quarantine Notice (link here)
   Collective Agreement PDF (link here)