Are you winning, son?

Actually, yes! The limits of the logistical systems have been reached. Purolator has announced that they can only take a certain number of orders every day and UPS has suspended pickups for 48-hours to help clear its backlog. They can't do it without the work done by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Last week, the United States Postal Service also stopped accepting any mail bound for Canada.

Canada Post has released their “framework” for moving forward. CUPW has presented them with a counter offer, and as of Friday Canada Post has responded. At the time of this writing, the Minister has not sent the mediators back into bargaining.

With these cracks beginning to appear in the overloaded systems, it's important that we hold strong. When the negotiators and the National Executive Board have an offer that they believe is worthy of our attention, it will be presented to us. One day longer, one day stronger!

Being Respectful and Showing Solidarity in These Difficult Times

I have witnessed a couple of incidences where tensions have risen and I have interceded. Fortunately, cooler heads have prevailed in all cases and disputes were settled without much of an incident.

I do want us all to try and be respectful to everyone around us. The struggles that we are all facing is very real. We need to remember that we are all in this together. If you see someone struggling, please direct them to the Office (780-423-9000 ext. 4 or Health.Safety@cupwedm.net) for assistance with resources.

Socio-Economic Cheques

Delivery of socio-economic cheques (pensions, old age security, etc.) during a strike is an initiative that CUPW started in the early 90s. We deliver them to ensure that the most vulnerable Canadians are not put into precarious positions. Now, there have been problems with our members getting paid. It's just a fact that Canada Post can't manage a paper bag, let alone a logistics company.

We have been promised that our members whose pay was missed after delivering cheques will begin receiving off-cycle deposits into their accounts on Friday, December 6^th or Monday, December 9^th. I hope it goes smoothly, but if it doesn't please reach out to the office.

For the next round of cheque delivery, Canada Post has chosen to stage the process. You may have noticed there are already sign-up sheets for P04, P05, and MSC positions. The expected processing dates for the EMPP are December 10^th, delivery to the depots on December 11^th, processing at the depots on the 12^th (13^th for affiliate offices), and delivery on the 18th. Sign up sheets for delivery will be available starting on Monday, December 9^th, for RSMCs and Letter Carriers.

We are also looking for P04s to sort cheques at the depots (probably between 10 and 15). If you are interested, please contact me by Tuesday at organize730@gmail.com.

Please sign in at a picket line prior to delivery and sign out when you are finished in order to earn your strike pay in addition to the $50 honorarium provided by Canada Post. This honorarium is to ensure you are covered by WCB while working. While cheques are being delivered, our union and Canada Post will act as if the provisions of the Collective Agreement as they relate to health & safety, grievance and arbitration, discipline, and injury on duty are still in place for the Corporation and workers on an individual basis.

I hope we will have a contract before the delivery of these cheques. I am cautiously optimistic.

Picket Parties!

Last week, we had a picket party sponsored by the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) and this past week there was a second party sponsored by AUPE. Both of these parties have been facilitated by the Alberta Federation of Labour. These have been fun events, with free food and drinks and the opportunity to meet members of other unions, political candidates, and other members of CUPW.

This past week, the party held in Calgary had almost 500 people show up. I think it is important that we show up, stand up, and be honoured by other labour groups for the sacrifices you are making. There will be another party coming up this week – let's try to upstage Calgary! (Details to come.)

Outcome of the December GMM Presidential Election

I, James Ball, would like to thank the members for electing me to the position of President. I would also like to thank you for recognizing the work I have put in with the Local and for giving me your vote of confidence. Approximately 170 members attended the GMM where this vote took place, which is the best-attended GMM in recent memory. It was so well-attended that we had to upgrade our license for Zoom.

I would also like to thank Jenn Reimer for running in the Local Presidential election. It's always a good sign when there is a contested election in the Local so that multiple viewpoints can be weighed by the members. I look forward to continuing to work with Jenn.

Bulletins

December 6^th, “Canadian Union of Postal Workers: Statement on Negotiations” 

December 5^th, “CUPW Commits to Delivering Pension and Social Assistance Cheques” 

December 4^th, “Negotiations Update: Union Counter Proposals Finalized” 

December 3^rd, “Negotiations Update: Union Responds to Canada Post's “Framework””

December 2^nd, “Negotiations Update: Union Continues to Review Canada Post's“Comprehensive Framework”” 

December 1^st, “Negotiations Update: Working Towards Restarting the MediationProcess” 

November 29^th, “CUPW Files Unfair Labour Practice” 

In solidarity,

James Ball, President 

union@cupwedm.net/780-423-9000 ext. 1

CUPW Local 730 – Edmonton & Affiliates