To all members of the Urban Operations unit

Sisters and Brothers:

In early February 2007, CUPW and CPC reached a tentative agreement that was later ratified by the membership and took full effect on May 3, 2007, at 0:00 a.m. (midnight).

The majority of the provisions of the collective agreement have been in effect since May 3, 2007.  However, some clauses are retroactive while others will take effect at a later date.

RETROACTIVE EFFECT

As previously mentioned, although the collective agreement has been in effect since May 3rd, the parties have provided for some clauses to be retroactive while others will take effect at a later date.  These provisions will be implemented as stipulated in the collective agreement.

1. All wage and shift and weekend premium increases are retroactive to February 1, 2007. (Appendix “A” and Article 16 of the collective agreement.)
   
   
2. The retroactive pay will be on pay period 13, June 28th.
   
   
3. The applicable daily rate for the rest period allowance for Group 2 will be retroactive to February 1st, 2007.
   
   

Changes to the Visioncare section of the Extended Health Care Plan (EHCP)  took effect as of January 1st, 2007 for the new four (4) year period.

PROVISIONS THAT WILL COME INTO EFFECT LATER

1. Seniority for regular employees will be determined in accordance with the new seniority rules.  The seniority date for regular employees will become effective six (6) months after the signing of the collective agreement.  It should be noted that the parties have provided for the possibility of an extension.
   
   
2. The Controlled Drug Formulary will replace the 3 Tier Drug Plan effective  January 1, 2008.  
   
   
3. The EHCP Paramedical Services improvements will take effect 60 days from the date of signing. i.e. acupuncture, naturopaths, osteopaths, podiatrists, chiropodists, speech therapists, speech language pathologists.  
   
   
4. The 2006 dental fee schedule will become effective 60 days after the signing of the collective agreement.
   
   
5. Members in Alberta will be covered by the Alberta dental fee reimbursement schedule effective from the date of signing.*
   
   
6. As of January 1st, 2008,  the service requirement to be eligible for EHCP benefits will increase from 10 years to 15 years. However, retirees who do not have 15 years of continuous service, but who are disabled and currently receiving CPC or Superannuation pension benefits will continue to have EHCP coverage. Any employee with 10 years service before January 1, 2008 will still qualify for EHCP coverage.
   
   
7. The new householder size specifications set out in Chart “B” of Appendix “D” will come into effect on January 1st, 2008.
   
   
8. The per piece value for all householders exceeding 6' in width once a route receives two sets or more will come into effect on January 1st, 2008.
   
   

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

1. For the 2006 annual leave period, temporary employees will receive their vacation pay before the last Friday in MARCH 2007. They will then receive pay equivalent to 6 % of their total wages received during the previous fiscal year, i.e. from April 1st to March 31st.  These employees will receive their vacation pay before the last Friday in JUNE of each calendar year.  For transition purposes, temporary employees will receive vacation pay for the period of January 1st to March 31st, 2007 equivalent to 6% of their total wages over this period.  They will receive this pay on the last Friday in June 2007.
   
   
2. All regular employees on strength at the signing of the collective agreement and new regular employees hired between the date of signing and September 1, 2007, will have full job security, including 40 km protection under clause 53.01.
   
   
3. All regular employees in a MAM-10 job classification on May 3, 2007, any new MAM-10 employee hired after May 3, 2007, and any employee who is forced to accept a demotion and who has successfully completed a technical program equivalent to 1,600 hours in a mechanical, electromechanical mechanical engineering discipline or who is certified in the licensed trades of machinist, millwright, pipe fitter, sheet metal worker or welder will receive the same hourly rate as employees in a PST-8 job classification.
   
   

Employees who do not have technical training equivalent to 1,600 hours in the above-mentioned trades and who wish to be paid at the rate of a PST-8 must demonstrate they have equivalent skills and knowledge by undergoing appropriate evaluation by a third party.

The evaluation must cover skills and knowledge applicable to Canada Post equipment and technology and will be developed in accordance with the provisions of Appendix “T”.  The work must begin within three months after the signing of the collective agreement. Interested employees should submit their applications as soon as possible.

Other employees should provide the employer immediately with certification of their qualifications and keep a copy of their documentation in a safe place.  New pay rates will be applied at the next pay period.

MORE INFORMATION TO COME

The Union is now developing more comprehensive and up-to-date information on several provisions of the collective agreement.  This bulletin is only a summary overview of the contract provisions that will become effective at various times over the length of the collective agreement.

It is now important for us, at all levels of the Union, to focus on the most effective ways of implementing and enforcing the collective agreement for the benefit of all members.