Comrades & Friends,

Your 4th, and final, local dispatch for the month of November 2020 contains a lot of important updates on our upcoming general members (video) meeting, the mandatory mask protocol being enforced by both the Alberta government and CPC, and a whole lot more. Forewarned is forearmed, so please take the time to read everything over.

Stay safe out there.

In Solidarity,

Roland Schmidt
President, CUPW 730

General Membership (Video) Meeting - Dec 6, 6pm

The deadline to register for our next (online) GMM is Friday, Dec 4 at noon. The official meeting notice, online guidelines, and registration information can all be found below. Anyone with a smartphone or computer is able to easily connect to the meeting -- no need to download any new programs or apps, and you don’t have to turn on your camera if you’re feeling shy. If you’re intimidated by the prospect of trying an online meeting for the first time, please don’t be! These meetings are very informative and efficient, made all the better by having as many of our members are possible participating. More hands makes lighter work! (Read more)

Mandatory Mask Policy (Alberta & CPC)

After months of pretending everything is fine, the Kenney government was forced to acknowledge our escalating public health crisis by announcing improved safety measures and declaring a state of emergency on Nov 24. The question now is: will the measures be enough, soon enough, to prevent a full-scale collapse of our health system? This is of dire relevance to our members because, as the provincial government gambles with our health, the probability of our members (and all Albertans) getting infected, drastically increases. Last week 10 of our members were tested, or presumptive, C19 positive. So far this week, there have been 13 more cases announced in our area of operations. (Read more)

Making Sense of Alberta's C19 Crisis

As detailed today in an investigative report done by the CBC, secret recordings of Alberta’s pandemic planning sessions expose just how at-odds the Kenney government is with health services on how the pandemic should be handled. To help make sense of all this chaos, Sandra Azocar, the executive director of Friends of Medicare, joins the Progress Alberta podcast to analyze and breakdown Jason Kenney's new COVID restrictions, which is being called a “mockdown” all across the country.

Shift Premium For Members Working Later

As per Article 16 (Urban), any change in shift now causing any of our Urban members to work after 5pm qualifies that member for an additional $1.15 for each hour worked between 5pm and midnight. If this is not reflected in your pay statements, document when this shift change started, the days you did not get paid the shift premium, and file a grievance with all that  information included. Talk to a shop steward, or contact our Grievance office if you need any assistance.

Updated Temp Rights & RSMC New Hires Packages

After updating our temp rights package for our urban members, our Executive has also put together an equivalent resource for any of our RSMCs who have not yet cleared probation or become a route owner. Physical copies will be given to any newly hired RSMCs signing up for a union card at our office, or can be found digitally on our website. (Read more)

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women

It has been 31 years since the tragic mass shooting at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal (December 6, 1989) that saw the promising lives of 14 young women cut violently short. This senseless act of targeted violence shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. Please join us for the AFL's 31st Annual December 6th Commemorative Event for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. (Read more)