Local Dispatch (24/11/08)
Friends and comrades,
In this week's Dispatch, we are covering the most recent negotiations updates, the SMS/Text service, an upcoming CUPW rally, an upcoming Regional educational opportunity, the next Local Education Committee meeting, and a letter to members of parliament.
I would like to stress that when it comes to negotiations, we are in a period where things can and will change quickly. The most up-to-date information will appear on www.cupw.ca, and we will update our Local website as soon as we receive any information.
Solidarity,
Kyle Turner, Communications Officer
Negotiations Update
There have been a number of negotiations updates since last week. There have been a lot of questions about whether our union or the Corporation has given 72-hours' notice. As of writing this, our National Executive Board has agreed to continue talks with the Corporation provided that the Corporation does not issue lockout notice, does not change our working conditions, and shows movement toward meeting our demands. To read the full bulletin, click HERE.
Since making that agreement, discussions have continued. The bulletin released on November 4th shows that the Corporation does not appear to be budging. Read the full bulletin HERE. Since then, our union has presented the Corporation with its second global offers for Urban and RSMC bargaining units -- both of which include fair wages, health and safety, the right to retire with dignity, and expansion of services at the public post office.
To read our union's Urban counter-offer, click HERE. To read our union's RSMC counter-offer, click HERE.
SMS/Text Service
Based on the negotiations updates, it seems we are getting closer to having to use the SMS/Texting service to alert everyone of what our next steps are. To take part in this, we will need your most up-to-date cell phone number. You can fill out the form to make sure we have that HERE.
The number you will receive a text from is (833)849-0390. Please add this to your contacts if you don't want it to be potentially marked as spam.
We will be sending a message over this service if our union or the Corporation gives 72-hour notice, so this will be a second test.
We will also be updating the website as well as the automated message that plays when you first call the office (780-423-9000) if we are on strike.
Note: The SMS/Text line is not monitored for incoming messages, so please do not send messages to it. If you have questions, call the union office.
CUPW Rally
The Edmonton Local will be hosting a rally to support a negotiated contract and a public post office on Saturday, November 16th from 11 am until 1 pm at 7506 Gateway BLVD. There will be a barbecue and this will also be a family-friendly event.
Regional Educational Opportunity
There is an upcoming Regional educational opportunity that will be happening February 9-14th, 2025, in Harrison Hot Springs, BC. The courses being offered are Social Stewards and Human Rights for CUPW Leaders. The deadline to get your application into the Edmonton Local is November 15th at 4 pm. For full course descriptions and a digital application, click HERE.
Note: The 3-day Fall educational that was scheduled to happen in Edmonton from November 15-17th has been postponed. A future date is still to be determined.
Education Committee Meeting
The next Education Committee meeting is happening on Tuesday, November 19th at 7 pm via Zoom. To attend this meeting, click HERE.
Letter to Members of Parliament
Acting President James Ball has sent a letter to the Members of Parliament who represent the areas served by the Edmonton Local, encouraging them to allow for a negotiated contract and avoid government interference in our negotiations. To read that letter, click HERE. (If you are interested in sending your own letter, there is information for how to do that at the bottom of this post.)
Reminders
- GoFundMe for Devon Rundvall: To donate or share the link to the GoFundMe, click HERE.
- Strike Relief Fund Merch: For more information, see prior Dispatch HERE.
- Teamsters Canada Rail Petition: To read and sign this petition, click HERE.
- Women's Committee Workplace Harassment Survey: To take part in the workplace harassment survey, please click HERE. This survey is open to all members.
- Disability Supports: To access the Disability Supports portal, which provides a list of programs and services in your community, click HERE.
- Union Savings: To take part in these savings, you can register at unionsavings.ca/