Table of Contents - Constitution

Article 1 - Name, Composition, Aims, Membership - pg. 1

Name - Objectives - Composition - pg. 1
Eligibility for Membership - pg. 3
Rights and Duties of Members - pg. 3
Loss of Status of Member in Good
Standing and Reinstatement - pg. 4
Loss of Status of Member and Readmission - pg. 5
General - pg. 7
Official Languages - pg. 10

Article 2 - Democratic Control - Responsibility - pg. 11

Article 3 - National Convention - pg. 12

Representation at Convention - pg. 14
Resolutions - pg. 15
Agenda and Vote - pg. 19
Election of National Officers,
Regional Officers, Union Representatives,
Alternate Union Representatives and Trustees - pg. 20
Vacancy in a Position of National Officer,
Regional Officer, Union Representative or Trustee - pg. 23
Special Convention - pg. 26
Eligibility - pg. 27
Reports - pg. 27

Article 4 - National Executive Board, National Executive Committee, National Officers, National Union Representatives and National Board of Trustees - pg. 28

National Executive Board - pg. 28
General Duties of the National Executive Board - pg. 28
National Women's Committee - pg. 30
National Human Rights Committee - pg. 32
National Work Measurement Committee - pg. 34
National Health and Safety Committee - pg. 36
Meetings and Decisions of the National Executive Board - pg. 37
Responsibilities of the National Executive Board Regarding Locals - pg. 38
National Executive Committee - pg. 40
General Duties of the National Executive Committee - pg. 40
National President - pg. 42
1st National Vice-President - pg. 44
National Secretary-Treasurer - pg. 45
National Grievance Officer - pg. 49
2nd National Vice-President - pg. 57
3rd National Vice-President - pg. 61
4th National Vice-President - pg. 64
National Directors - pg. 66
National Board of Trustees - pg. 69
General Duties of Officers - pg. 72

 

Article 5 - Area Councils, Regional Conferences, Regional Executive Committees, Regional Officers, Regional Union Representatives, National Presidents Meetings, Regional Presidents Meetings - pg. 73

Representation at Area Councils and Regional Conferences - pg. 76
Regional Conferences - pg. 76
Regional Executive Committee - pg. 78
Regional Officers - pg. 82
National Presidents Meeting - pg. 85
Regional Presidents Meetings - pg. 87

Article 6 - Negotiations - pg. 88

General Principles - pg. 88
Preparation of Union Demands - pg. 89
Composition of the Negotiating Committee - pg. 90
Internal Procedure - pg. 91

Article 7 - Finance - pg. 94

Fiscal Year and Budget Estimates - pg. 94
Union Dues and Check-off - pg. 95
Borrowing Power - pg. 97
Union Funds - pg. 98
General Fund - pg. 99
Reserve Fund - pg. 99
Defence Fund - pg. 100
Wages - pg. 102
Fringe Benefits - pg. 103
Allowances - pg. 107
Authorization of Expenses - pg. 111
Non-Payment in Case of Labour Dispute - pg. 114
Other Provisions - pg. 115
Other Provisions - Real Property - pg. 116

Article 8 - Discipline 117

Offences and Penalties - pg.117
Constitution of Disciplinary Committees - pg. 120
A Local Disciplinary Committee - pg. 120
B Regional Disciplinary Committee - pg. 120
C National Disciplinary Committee - pg. 121
General Rules Concerning Charges - pg. 122
General Rules Concerning Proceedings Before a Disciplinary Committee - pg. 124
Special Rules Concerning Proceedings at the Local Level - pg. 125
Special Rules Concerning Proceedings at the Regional Level - pg. 126
Special Rules Concerning Proceedings at the National Level - pg. 128
Emergency Situations - pg. 128
Other Provisions - pg. 129
Appeal Board - pg. 130

Article 9 - Locals - pg. 133

Approval of By-laws - pg. 133
Officers of the Local - pg. 134
Local Committees - pg. 141
Membership Meeting - pg. 146
Financial Matters - pg. 146
Membership Control - pg. 149
Affiliations - pg. 150
General - pg. 151

Article 10 - Union Representatives, Worker Advocates, Worker Organizers, Worker Educators - pg. 152

National Union Representatives - pg. 152
Regional Union Representatives - pg. 153
Alternate Union Representatives - pg. 156
Worker Advocates - pg. 156
Worker Organizers - pg. 157
Worker Educators - pg. 159

Article 11 - Union Education, Gender Parity and Balance on Committees, National and Regional Journals - pg. 160

Union Education at the National Level - pg. 160
Joe Davidson Education Fund - pg. 162
Union Education at the Regional Level - pg. 162
Gender Parity and Balance on Committees - pg. 164
National Journal - pg. 164
Regional Journal - pg. 165

Article 12 - pg. Personnel and Specialists - pg. 166

Article 13 - pg. Amendments to the Constitution - pg. 169

Article 14 - pg. Rules of Order - pg. 170

Article 15 - pg. Transitional and Explanatory Provisions - pg. 172

Rituals and Ceremonies - pg. 173

Preamble

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers undertakes the task of promoting and defending the interests of its members against all attacks of the employer and government (the agent of the employer) as a fundamental objective

This means that, in addition to the struggle which the Union conducts daily for recognition and the rights of postal workers, CUPW actively commits itself to the objective of transforming the present social and economic order to make it consistent with the interests and aspirations of workers

In so doing, CUPW rejects all forms of trade unionism that fail to pose the basic division between the interests of workers and the interests of the employer CUPW characterizes its orientation as a Union which, in an uncompromising fashion, pursues the class interests of its members, resisting all attempts by employers and governments to weaken or destroy the workers' movement

CUPW manifests its commitment through a number of policy statements which are grouped as follows:

A - The struggle of CUPW against the employer

B - The orientation of CUPW within the Labour Movement

C - CUPW and legislation

D - CUPW and social issues

E - General

Table of Contents - Policies

A - The Struggle of CUPW against the employer

A-1 Picket Lines and Industrial Action - pg. 1
A-2 Regional Bargaining - pg. 1
A-3 Moratorium of Silence - pg. 1
A-4 Consultation Committees - pg. 2
A-5 Workers' Control - pg. 2
A-6 Equal Collective Agreement For All - pg. 2
A-7 Probationary Period - pg. 2
A-8 Weekend Work - pg. 3
A-9 Night/Shift Work - pg. 3
A-10 Rotating Functions - pg. 3
A-11 Contracting Out - pg. 4
A-12 Part-Time Ratio - pg. 5
A-13 Job Sharing - pg. 5
A-14 Technological Change - pg. 6
A-15 Reclassification - pg. 8
A-16 Surveillance and Individual Work Measurement - pg. 8
A-17 Acting Management and Management Courses - pg. 8
A-18 Employer's Publications - pg. 9
A-19 Employer Surveys - pg. 9
A-20 Lay-offs - pg. 10
A-21 Oppose Service Reductions - pg. 10
A-22 Universal Seniority - pg. 10
A-23 Seniority - pg. 11
A-24 Affirmative Action - pg. 11
A-25 Postal Deregulation and Privatization - pg. 11
A-26 Home Working - pg. 12
A-27 LCRMS and MSCWSS - pg. 13
A-28 International Labour Solidarity Fund - pg. 13
A-29 Reduced Work Time - pg. 13
A-30 Health and Safety: A Priority for CUPW - pg. 14
A-31 Recovering wages and credits following an injury - pg. 15

B - The orientation of CUPW within the Labour Movement

B-1 Free Collective Bargaining - pg. 16
B-2 The Right to Strike - pg. 16
B-3 Picketing - pg. 17
B-4 Union Security - pg.17
B-5 Industrial Democracy - pg. 18
B-6 Tripartism - pg. 18
B-7 Program of Action for Labour - pg. 19
B-8 Co-operation with other Unions - pg. 19
B-9 Organizing the Unorganized - pg. 20
B-10 Unemployment - pg. 21
B-11 Amalgamation - pg. 22
B-12 Labour Education - pg. 22
B-13 Workers' Daily Paper and Broadcasting Rights - pg. 22
B-14 International Workers’ Solidarity - pg. 22
B-15 Global Capitalism - pg. 23

C - CUPW and Legislation

C-1 Self-Determination - pg. 25
C-2 First Nations, Native Peoples, Métis, Inuit and all other aboriginal groups- pg. 25
C-3 Restrictive Legislation - pg. 26
C-4 Freedom of Speech - pg. 27
C-5 EI Cut-backs - pg. 27
C-6 Marijuana - pg. 27
C-7 Parental Allowance - pg. 28
C-8 Chemical Legislation - pg. 28
C-9 Strikebreaking - pg. 28
C-10 Negotiable Pension Plans - pg. 28
C-11 Free Trade Agreements - pg. 29
C-12 Stress – A Work-Related Injury - pg. 29
C-13 Job Creation - pg. 30
C-14 Protection from wage recovery following an injury on duty - pg. 30

D - CUPW and social issues

D-1 Social Equality - pg. 31
D-2 Equal Rights for Women - pg. 31
D-3 Equal Pay - pg. 31
D-4 Non-Traditional Jobs - pg. 32
D-5 All Forms of Harassment, Violence and Discrimination - pg. 32
D-6 Bullying - pg. 36
D-7 Violence Against Women - pg. 36
D-8 Abortion - pg. 37
D-9 International Women's Day - pg. 37
D-10 Committees - pg. 37
D-11 Parental Rights - pg. 38
D-12 Child Care and Elder Care - pg. 38
D-13 Day Care and Profit- pg. 38
D-14 Child Labour - pg. 39
D-15 Health Care - pg. 39
D-16 Racism - pg. 39
D-17 Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Rights - pg. 40
D-18 Rights of Transgender Workers - pg. 40
D-19 Rights of the Differently Abled - pg. 41
D-20 Guaranteed Annual Income - pg. 41
D-21 Social Solidarity - pg. 41
D-22 Cuba - pg. 42
D-23 Colombia - pg. 43
D-24 Peace and Disarmament - pg. 44
D-25 Nuclear Energy - pg. 45
D-26 Pollution - pg. 45
D-27 Water - pg. 46
D-28 National Resources - pg. 46
D-29 Working Language - pg. 46
D-30 Housing - pg. 47
D-31 Day of Mourning - pg. 47
D-32 Network of Social Stewards - pg. 47
D-33 Alternative Media - pg. 49

E - General

E-1 Boycotts - pg. 50
E-2 Bilingualism - pg. 50
E-3 Smoking - pg. 50
E-4 Opposition to Any Messenger Services Organized During a Conflict - pg. 51
E-5 Use of Private Vehicles - pg. 51