Filling of Vacant Routes

In effect since January 1^st, 2009, the new clause 12.03 of the collective agreement has been changed to allow RSMC members to apply for transfer when a route becomes vacant in a postal installation located within a 50‑kilometre radius.

The most senior qualified employee from among the RSMC who apply will be assigned to the postal installation and be subject to the process described in clause 12.04.  However, the successful applicant will have to stay in that postal installation for at least two (2) years, unless Canada Post decides to waive this condition.

According to the provisions of clause 12.04, the vacant route will be offered to the senior qualified RSMC in the postal installation, including the person who is moved under clause 12.03, and, if applicable, those whose names appear on the postal installations recall list.

Clause 12.05 states that to be deemed “qualified,” the employee has to have completed his or her probation period and be able to fulfill the route’s operational requirements. This includes being able to supply the specified vehicle.

At Canada Post, murkiness continues

Canada Post has told CUPW that RSMCs will need a computer to find out about vacant routes and to apply for these routes. Moreover, the  Corporation only intends to post the least amount of information, i.e. the maximum and minimum pay scale for all the routes in the postal installation. The vacant routes will be posted on Intr@post every Monday or Wednesday for a period of five (5) days. The union thinks that for any procedure to be effective, it should be simple and transparent.  Of course, this being Canada Post, things often get murky and complicated. 

Right to Accessible Information

As part of union-management consultation meetings held under Article 7 of the collective agreement, we have been meeting with Canada Post officials to try to get them to change their approach and set up a reasonable system that would allow interested RSMCs to make an informed decision on whether to apply.

We’ve asked them to post the information contained on the route’s Schedule “A”, including more specific information such as pay and workload (types of POCs, etc.). We’ve also asked CPC to post the vacant position inside the postal installations involved and to develop a printed application form for interested RSMCs.

Grievances to be filed if necessary

We will be trying to persuade the Corporation to change its process to make it simple and transparent.

But if the Corporation remains adamant and refuses to change its approach, we intend to file grievances to enforce your rights.

We also ask RSMCs to file grievances through their locals. The grievances should include all of the necessary information, including any losses or damages they may have suffered as a result of Canada Post’s inflexibility.