Automation Update: Union Submits National Policy Grievance

CUPW has submitted a national policy grievance against Canada Post Corporation for failing to provide the union with the proper information on the technological changes associated with its modernization program.

To date CPC has only provided the union with a very general notice under clause 29.03(a) of the collective agreement. The union has obtained more information from reading the technical specifications contained in CPC’s tendering notices and information given to individual employees in Winnipeg than it has directly from Canada Post management. The law is very clear that management cannot deal directly with employees but instead must deal with the Union which is the sole bargaining agent for all of the workers.

Article 29 of the urban collective agreement requires CPC to provide notice to the union as soon as possible and then negotiate with the union to ensure that all adverse effects on workers are eliminated. If the parties cannot reach agreement then the issues are referred to an arbitrator. Under the time frames contained in the contract the arbitrator’s decision should be rendered prior to the implementation of the changes.

 

Winnipeg Update:

At a meeting on February 11, 2008 CPC notified the Union that it will soon be announcing the location of the new plant. Management informed CUPW that it also expects to reduce the number of facilities in Winnipeg although no final number is currently available. The plans are to keep the existing garage and CUPW has proposed that all new vehicles should be serviced in this facility.

CPC informed the union that it does not intend to have a parcel hub at the new plant in Winnipeg as management’s plan calls for most parcels to be delivered by motorized letter carriers. The Union has asked a number of questions concerning the work of Mail Service Couriers that have not yet been answered by management.

 

76 Questions

The union has submitted 76 preliminary questions to Canada Post about the new plants, mechanized sequencing, new national equipment, and motorization. The employer’s Modernization Program is the largest single automation program ever introduced in Canada Post. All operational workers will be impacted in a major way. Not surprisingly, the Union requires a lot of information in order to analyze the issues and make positive proposals to eliminate the adverse effects of automation. The answers to the 76 questions should help the union ensure that postal workers receive a share of the benefits from technological change.

 

Union Steering Committee

The NEB has appointed a National Steering Committee to oversee the Union’s response to CPC’s modernization plan. The members of the Committee are CUPW National President Deborah Bourque, Fourth national Vice-President Donald Lafleur, and National Union Representatives Cindi Foreman, Cathy Kennedy and John Fehr. Brother Dean Duncan, Winnipeg local has been appointed to work full-time on the project in Winnipeg.