Comrades & friends,

I've been off work quarantining at home with Covid since Sunday (recovering slowly but surely) but felt it was important to drag myself out of bed to share this dispatch personally.

In solidarity,

Education Opportunities

All members in good standing are invited to apply for any course they have not participated in before. Any member participating in these courses will be reimbursed for any scheduled CPC day(s) of work they miss. The Advanced Shop Steward course has an added prerequisite of having attended the basic shop steward course and being an active, sanctioned steward of the local. Courses scheduled to be at the CUPW 730 office** are subject to change, including cancellation, depending on shifting pandemic public health guidelines. APPLY HERE

1. Taking Back Our Workfloor (1 day) - April 26, 27, or 28, 2022, 8am-4pm @ Location TBD** - APPLICATION DEADLINE TOMORROW!

A union is only as powerful as it’s members are involved and willing to assert their collective power! This 1-day course gets back to the grassroots organizing that helped unions change the world for the better so long ago.  Participants will be trained on how to gather allies, as well as successfully build, and carry out, a work floor job action. Application deadline: April 15, 1pm, 2022.

2. Basic Shop Steward (3 days) - May 11-13, 2022, 8am-4pm @ Location TBD**

This 3-day course gives members the confidence to further empower themselves and help uphold the rights of their co-workers. Participants will learn about the many different roles a steward plays, how to navigate disciplinary meetings with management, and how to properly support the grievance procedure as well as the efforts of work floor activists. Application deadline: April 29, 1pm, 2022.

3. Advanced Shop Steward (5 days) - May 16-20, 2022, 8am-4pm @ CUPW 730 Office**

The 5-day advanced shop steward course is an opportunity for committed local activists, who are already active shop stewards, to further refine their skills. The basic course gave you the tools, the advanced course challenges you to take more of a leading role in our local as someone capable of mentoring and assisting other activists and stewards in their own development. Application deadline: April 29, 1pm, 2022.

Virtual Screening: The Struggle Continues, with Special Guest Jean-Claude Parrot

CUPW Local 730 (Edmonton & Affiliates) invites all CUPW members and allies to a virtual screening of the inspiring CUPW short documentary, “The Struggle Continues”, followed by discussion with one of the key leaders featured in the film, past-CUPW President, Jean-Claude Parrot. Also joining us to explore the importance of the film’s lessons for current union activists are Sister Brooke Backus (President, CUPW 740 - Royal City, BC) and Brother Matthew Aitken (President, CUPW 856 - Winnipeg, MB).

For event details and to register: LINK

About the film: In 1978 the government passed a bill ordering striking postal workers back to work. Despite this legislation, postal workers maintained their job action for another eight days while the CUPW National executive withstood police raids and arrests for their defiance; then-president Jean-Claude Parrot would eventually serve a prison sentence for his involvement. 

Delivering Community Power Roundtable Discussions

At long last, the Delivering Community Power campaign will be hosting a series of roundtables with our members across the country. The goal is to discuss the campaign with members, but not only with those that are part of CUPW executives or that regularly attend general membership meetings. We have many members who care deeply about the climate emergency and the possible cuts to the post office, but do not partake in union activities.

The roundtable format is designed to connect also to these members through discussion rather than through a presentation, in hopes that we can galvanize our members for the struggles ahead. Delivering Community Power proposes a new way of service expansion and concern for the planet, and therefore a solution to many of these problems, but true member engagement about the issues is the first step as always. In order to get as much interest as possible, I ask that you please join the discussion.

Meeting Time and Date: April 25th, 2022 7:30 PM CDT (MB)6:30 PM CST/MST (SK, AB & NWT)

Link to Register: deliveringcommunitypower.ca/apr25

Report From The CUPW National Human Rights Committee 

From April 1-3, 2022 I had the pleasure of chairing the National Human Rights committee for our union. The only in person meeting we had was in December of 2019 before the world pandemic hit us all in March of 2020. There was a decision made to continue on the important work and the only way would could safely meet was by a virtual platform through Zoom. As this was my first time chairing such a meeting with over fifty members of the committee along with translators/sign interpreters and technical help in the background. I have a real appreciation for those that have had to chair meetings both in person and over a virtual platform such as Zoom.

For Brother Rashpal Sehmby's full report: LINK

Committee recommendations: LINK

Ongoing Reminder: Local Office Access

To stay aligned with the federal health guidelines affecting our members, our office remains available by appointment only. We are trying to conduct all meetings with members over the phone or via video conferencing. Exemptions can be made for unique circumstances. In either case, please call (780) 423-9000 to arrange an appointment with the appropriate officer. We are extremely busy in the office so please leave a message if you’re unable to catch us on the phone.