Friends and comrades,

 

Off the top, I would like to share that the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) and Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) will be hosting a picket party on Thursday, December 5th at 4 pm at the EMPP (12135 149th St) to thank us for standing up, not just for ourselves but for all workers. If you can make it out, please do!

 

In this Dispatch, we will be covering some recent negotiations updates, our December GMM, and picket line safety checks.

 

Solidarity,

 

Kyle Turner, Communications Officer

 

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The updates have continued to be relatively steady, but there are two I would like to focus on. 

 

First, our National Executive met to discuss the "comprehensive framework" that was provided by our Employer on December 1st. There are four key issues that need to be addressed for us to reach a negotiated agreement: 

1) Fair wages. We have just gone through the worst cost of living crisis in a generation with the cost of basic goods skyrocketing; 

 

2. Health and safety. Increasing neighbourhood mail volumes and separate sortation from delivery are making things worse for postal workers, who are among the most injured in the federal sector.

 

3. Retiring with dignity. To retire with dignity, we need our pensions to be left alone. Our pension is currently overfunded and the Employer hasn't had to contribute to it since May 2023 because of a "contribution holiday."

 

4. Expansion of public services. Other post offices around the world have successfully implemented the programs that expand its services. We are demanding that our Employer expand its services, including postal banking and electric vehicle charging stations. 

 

You can read the full bulletin HERE.

 

Second, our union has finalized its counter-proposal to the Corporation. In this bulletin, National President Jan Simpson acknowledges that our negotiators have been ready to return to the bargaining table since the special mediator suspended the mediation process. In addition, this counter-proposal contains movement on both our demands and the Employer's demands in order to help bring us closer to a collective agreement.

 

To read this bulletin, click HERE.

 

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Our next GMM is Saturday, December 7th at 10 am. It is a hybrid meeting, so you can attend in person (18121 107 Ave NW) or online via Zoom. The deadline to register to attend online is Friday, December 6th at noon. For more information, including the agenda and the link to register to attend online, click HERE.

 

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Picketing has extended farther than most of us anticipated. We have begun to see some difficult moments as people begin to feel the strain both on our lines and also from the public, and we need to take care of ourselves and each other.

 

Going forward, we will require all members to check in with their picket captains every 2-hours. There have been previous incidences of carbon monoxide poisoning from people sitting in their cars and there is a risk of hypothermia as well as the risk of violence on the picket lines. 

 

We want to make sure you are safe, so you are required to check in with your picket captain if you leave the picket line for any reason -- finding a warm bathroom, to get a coffee, warm up in your car. Your name will be marked with a checkmark when you have checked in.

 

Signing out can only be done when you are leaving the picket line.

 

Members who fail to check in, fail to sign out, or fail to report that they are leaving the line will not receive picket pay for that day. We must respect each other's commitment and sacrifices. One day longer, one day stronger!

 

If you have any questions about this, please contact Acting President James Ball at union@cupwedm.net or 780-423-9000 ext. 1.

 

• 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/