Once again the Union is required to go to arbitration to force Canada Post management to honour their legal obligation to provide us with information concerning their $2 Billion automation program commonly referred to as Modern Post/Postal Transformation.

One component of our grievance deals with CPC’s refusal to provide us with their planned delivery schedule for the Bar Code Sorters (BCSs) and the new Multi-Line Optical Character Readers (MLOCRs) which will be introduced in all of the major plants. Both of these machines will have the capability of sequencing the mail.

During mediation with Arbitrator Burkett, the Employer acknowledged they have a schedule and it has been provided to possible suppliers. However they said they would not provide it to the Union because they did not want to “frustrate the Union” if the scheduled changed. They also stated that the introduction of this equipment would have a tremendous impact on the membership and therefore they did not want to provide it for fear of our reaction.

We Are Frustrated By Contract Violations

We acknowledge that the schedule could change. However this information is essential for the Union and the membership to prepare for the change including eliminating any adverse effects.

We need to get ready

At the consultation meeting held on January 15, Canada Post gave us a document that stated that all major plants could see the installation of BCSs and MLOCRs start as early as June 2010.

As a result, we need to get ready. To do this, management must respect the Collective Agreement and provide us with all of the relevant information.

But Canada Post should make no mistake. We’re not afraid of the future. We have our own vision of a universal, public postal service. And we can count on the strength and the determination of our 54,000 members.

The struggle continues!