February has been a month of action for postal workers in Alberta.

Edmonton: On Friday, February 15, 2008 over 100 letter carriers at the Delton Postal Depot in Edmonton took action to protest the constant use of forced overtime, especially for temporary workers. Local President Brian Henderson said that the action was about “...the right of these workers to be treated with respect.”

Fort McMurray: On Friday, February 22, 2008 40 letter carriers in Fort McMurray began a protest against forced overtime. The protest ended on the following Tuesday following the intervention of the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). Gord Fisher, Prairie regional grievance officer, was in Fort McMurray on Wednesday to try to resolve the outstanding issues.

All of the mail carriers in the city protested outside of local Tory Member of Parliament Brian Jean’s office, asking him to relay their message to Ottawa. Dana Gabriel, CUPW local president, said the action was the culmination of a number of years of frustration on the part of the postal workers.

Grande Prairie: On February 18, 2008 letter carriers, clerks, RSMC and contractors all went out for breakfast together in a show of unity and solidarity in support of RSMC negotiations and to demonstrate their frustration with Canada Post’s staffing policies. The following day, members held a lunchroom meeting when they were advised that everyone would get a five day suspension. The five day suspensions are being handed out despite the fact that every route was delivered on February 18. Local president Mark Boudreau says that members “…are not done with them (CPC management) yet!” and will continue public and workplace activities.

CUPW Reveals the Truth about Staffing

For months Canada Post has been claiming that they cannot hire enough letter carriers or RSMCs due to the labour market situation in Alberta. To test this claim CUPW locals in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Drayton Valley ran advertisements in local papers asking for applications for rural and suburban mail carriers. The response was overwhelming. The four locals received hundreds of applications and resumes. Edmonton local president Brian Henderson stated in a press release, "Canada Post says that they just can't find people willing to work for them, but we haven't seen them advertise the jobs despite our consistent requests that they be proactive."  Calgary local president Robert Scobel told the media “….people want real jobs and all Canada Post has to do is let the public know that opportunities exist”.

The applications have been turned over to Canada Post.

Stop the Discipline and Fill the Positions: Now!!

Instead of moving quickly to address the problems facing members in Alberta CPC has responded with threats of suspensions. The membership actions would not be necessary if Canada Post management took their responsibilities seriously and properly advertised and staffed letter carrier and RSMC positions in Alberta and negotiated in good faith with CUPW at the RSMC bargaining table. Instead of relying on forced overtime and threats of discipline Canada Post should fill vacant positions immediately.

National Actions supporting RSMCs

On February 14 and 18, urban operations and RSMC members in many locals in Alberta and across the union took part in activities to support RSMCs.

Watch for further bulletins on those activities.