Between January 2004 and February 2006, the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers’ Transition Committee (RSMC/TC) processed over 5,000 seniority-related inquiries in establishing the initial national seniority list. This seniority list was then subdivided by province and should now be posted in all RSMC postal installations and provided to CUPW Locals.

Under clause 8.03 of the collective agreement, CPC has an obligation to maintain updated seniority lists. These lists must be sent to the local of the Union and be posted in each postal installation every six months (June and December). The next posting was scheduled for December 2006.

The new collective agreement eliminates the interim rules set out in clause 8.04 “Establishing Initial Seniority List” and clause 8.05 “Challenges to the Initial Seniority Lists.”

However, the RSMC/TC continues to receive requests for corrections to the lists from the employer, members and locals of the Union. In addition there are approximately 1,000 members hired on January 1, 2004 that have not provided information to establish their seniority ranking.

After discussions with the CUPW Grievance Department the following procedure will apply for changes to ranking and seniority dates.

Employees Hired on January 1, 2004

Members should forward documentation supporting their request to adjust or establish their ranking to their CUPW local representative or to their CUPW regional office.  These requests should then be sent to the Transition Committee at the national office. If the request is justified, the union will notify the employer to change the seniority list and will inform the member, local and regional office of the result.

The ranking is based on the period during which a person worked in the duties of a RSMC as a contractor, subcontractor, helper or replacement on rural and suburban routes before obtaining employee status.

Members must provide documentary evidence supporting their request. This could be in the form of contracts with Canada Post, pay statements, a CPC official letter or document stating when the individual started performing RSMC duties.  As well, members must provide written and signed documentation confirming any periods during which they worked as a replacement, helper or subcontractor.

Individuals Hired After January 1, 2004

Members hired as employees after January 1, 2004 who believe their continuous employment or seniority are incorrect should forward documentary evidence to their CUPW local or to their CUPW Regional office.

If the request is justified, Canada Post management should be contacted by the union. According to the employer, CPC Managers and Labour Relations representatives are authorized to deal with continuous employment and seniority issues. Locals should also send a copy of the request to their regional office.