Last week RSMCs in numerous facilities in Alberta participated in job actions to send the employer a clear message that the constant contract violations of the RSMC collective agreement must cease and the problems of RSMCs must be addressed now!

The Actions

RSMCs in Edmonton and Calgary Alberta engaged in a variety of job actions to protest the decision of management to unilaterally change the pay and introduce recruitment bonuses in Sherwood Park (Edmonton) and Calgary Depot 11. The employer claims that their decision to adjust the wages to 135% of benchmark and introduce the recruitment bonus in the two facilities was taken because of difficulties filling positions and retaining staff due to the very tight labour market in some areas of Alberta.

The actions were also a response to management’s refusal to address ongoing problems of overburdening, excessive hours and a recent decision to reinstate the practice of tendering vacant RSMC routes for 5 year contracts. Currently there are over 180 vacant routes in Alberta which are being filled by contractors. These issues have been outstanding since last December.

The actions of our RSMC sisters and brothers received support from the CUPW national office, the Prairie regional office and CUPW locals.

National Meeting

On Friday September 28, along with other CUPW representatives, I met with Canada Post to demand a resolution to the problems that led to the RSMC job actions. We stressed the need to fix the routes in order to address problems of overburdening, excessive hours and hiring difficulties. As a first step towards resolving the RSMC problems we proposed that Canada Post should:

1. Reach agreement and implement the Route Management System (RMS) and distribute the $4.1 million to RSMCs as provided for under the current RSMC collective agreement.
2. Adjust the routes and fill all vacancies with regular employees rather than contractors.
3. Immediately stop all tendering of routes.
4. Implement an hourly wage pilot project in Alberta.
5. Drop all disciplinary action against employees.
6. Stop violating the collective agreement by trying to finance unilateral management decisions from the RSMC “financial cap”.

The Results

The employer has agreed to engage in two weeks of intensive meetings with the union to reach agreement on the RMS and fix the routes in Alberta. The meetings will involve representatives from the CUPW national office, the Prairie regional office and the Edmonton and Calgary locals. Other Alberta locals will be brought in as necessary. The employer has committed to bring in people with local knowledge and decision making authority.

Management has agreed not to impose suspensions for participation in the job actions but they will file a national grievance against the union and claim damages.

Canada Post has also agreed to put the tendering of routes on hold during the discussions and they agreed to meet with the union to try to resolve the disputes about the financial cap.

The employer did not agree to an hourly wage pilot project in Alberta but discussions will continue about ways to adjust the compensation on RSMC routes once the routes are fixed.

One Step Forward

As a result of the actions taken by RSMC members we finally got management’s attention and that is a real victory for RSMCs. During the next two weeks we will make every possible effort to resolve the very serious problems faced by RSMCs. But there is still a lot of work to be done and there is no guarantee we will come to an agreement despite our efforts.

RSMC members: Stay on Alert

The lessons learned in Alberta can be applied across the country to deal with the problems of workload and staffing of vacant positions. CUPW is asking all RSMC members to show your support for the union’s efforts to resolve the issues in Alberta.

There are several ways you can participate.

1. Tell your supervisors and managers you are watching the developments in Ottawa and that you support the union.
2. Keep informed and participate in any support activity that the union organizes.
3. Attend your contract demand ratification meeting.

Urban members: Your Support is Vital

In 2003 urban and rural postal workers began a new era together. We turned a corner from the days when the employer could divide us and play us off against each other. We combined the proven industrial power of urban workers with the established political lobbying skills of RSMCs and we won collective bargaining rights and employee status for RSMCs. We understood that full equality for RSMCs would mean more job opportunities for urban workers and greater bargaining strength in the future for all postal workers.

Today, in 2007, CUPW is asking that urban members play a role in supporting your rural and suburban sisters and brothers.

1. Keep informed of the developments concerning the RSMCs.
2. Have your local send a message of support to the Alberta RSMCs. Messages can be sent care of the CUPW Prairie regional office.
3. Tell your supervisors and managers you fully support the demands of the RSMCs in Alberta and in the upcoming round of negotiations.

Next Few Weeks Are Crucial

The next two weeks will tell if management is serious about addressing the very real problems faced by RSMCs. The union will keep you informed by bulletins. Today we had a conference call with representatives from the national and regional office and Alberta local presidents. There is another call scheduled next week to report on the progress of our meetings with management.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in and supported the actions. Remember, all our gains are a result of collective strength and smart strategy. There is a lot we can achieve when we are united.