The message that CUPW members conveyed to Canada Post was clear:

We want nothing to do with an arrears pay system (two-week time lag) for our 6,500 rural and suburban mail carriers.

Calls made to Canada Post’s Pay Contact Centre, workplace actions, union-management meetings and other activities have forced Canada Post to change certain aspects of how it intends to implement the bi-weekly pay system. Instead of withholding two weeks’ pay when it implements the new pay system, Canada Post will give RSMCs the option of receiving an advance equal to two weeks’ pay. This advance will be added to the April 30^th, 2009 pay. Canada Post will then recover the advance over the next 26 consecutive pays. Thank you to all those who, once again, have demonstrated the power of collective action.

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!

I remind you that at no time did the Union approve a two-week time lag for the payment of wages. What we negotiated is found in clause 33.04 of the collective agreement:

« As soon as possible, but by no later than May 1^st, 2009, the Corporation shall pay the wages on a bi-weekly basis every second Thursday. The payment will be made by direct deposit.»

That is what we negotiated and nothing else. And that is what we are entitled to. We must continue our fight to enforce the collective agreement in its entirety.