We’re ready for the ratification vote. The National Executive Board has unanimously adopted the Program of Demands. The Program has been sent to all locals and the vote will take place from August 21^st to September 26^th. Now is the time for members to get to know the program and express their democratic opinion. Please attend your local meetings and exercise your right to vote. It’s now up to you!

A SEASONED NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE

The National Executive Board has also chosen the members who will sit on the Negotiating Committee. Our National Constitution says the following on the composition of the Negotiating Committee:

“6.11 The National Executive Board shall appoint such members of the Negotiating Committee, taking into account criteria with regard to experience in preparation, hearing and arbitration of grievances and experience relating to any other matter regarding the negotiation of a collective agreement.”

The sisters and brothers who were chosen meet these criteria.

Sister Cathy Kennedy has been the National Union Representative assigned to grievances. She has worked at every level of the union and has been in the national union’s grievance department since 2005. This will be her fourth time as a member of the Negotiating Committee. She knows the workings of arbitration and is keenly aware of problems faced by members on the work floor.

Sister Asma Burney, of the Edmonton Local, will be on the Negotiating Committee for the first time. She has worked in Vancouver and Ottawa and now works at a sortation centre. As a chief steward, she has dealt with every type of situation that can occur on the work floor. Sister Burney is also known for her commitment to social justice.

Brother Doug Hacking is a union representative from the Metro-Toronto Region. This will also be his first time on the Negotiating Committee. In the past, he was directly involved in developing various parcels projects in Ontario. He was also a chief steward for Toronto South area letter carriers and is known for his expertise in work measurement systems.

For Brother Sylvain Lapointe, Grievance Officer for the Metro-Montreal Region, this will be his third time as a member of the Negotiating Committee. With extensive union experience, Brother Lapointe has served as a union steward on the workfloor and President of the Montreal Local, and has done both formal and regular arbitration work.

These four members will join National Grievance Officer Philippe Arbour and myself, to complete the Negotiating Committee.

WE WILL WIN THIS TOGETHER

We have everything we need to win these negotiations: a Program of Demands for the future, a seasoned Negotiating Committee and members who understand the stakes and the challenges of this coming round of bargaining.

Let’s all get involved in our local meetings and send a clear message to Canada Post that we want a MODERN POST POWERED BY PEOPLE.

The struggle continues.