A new bulletin for private sector members

Introduction

The union will now put out a bulletin explicitly for Private Sector Bargaining Unit (PSBU) members. The bulletin will be mailed directly to private sector members’ homes to ensure everyone gets an update on union issues. Let us know if there’s anything interesting happening in your local or workplace so we can share the news with other private sector members.

E-mail: feedback@cupw-sttp.org or
Mail: 377 Bank St., Ottawa ON K2P 1Y3 Fax: (613) 563-7861

 

A picture of private sector members

• CUPW represents a total of 25 private sector bargaining units with a total of almost 800 members.
• The top three sectors with the largest number of PSBU members are:
  • Courier sector with 438 members in 10 bargaining units,
  • International parcel processing with 110 members in one bargaining unit, and
  • Combined Urban Service drivers with 91 members in seven bargaining units.
• For the first time, there are now Private Sector Bargaining Units in every region in CUPW.
• CUPW has obtained certifications for 20 bargaining units representing 539 members since the 2005 National Convention.
• The union has negotiated seven new collective agreements covering 271 workers.
• CUPW has negotiated four collective agreement renewals since the last convention.

 

National convention – where decisions are made

The CUPW National Convention is the highest decision making body in the union. It will take place from April 13 -17, 2008 in Ottawa. Locals elect one delegate for each 100 members in the local with all locals having at least one delegate. Union locals can submit resolutions for constitutional or policy changes within the union. National officers, trustees and union representatives are elected here.

 

Private sector conference & health and safety training

A private sector bargaining unit conference will take place in Toronto March 8-9, 2008. The first day will be split into several workshops and break out sessions including a discussion on involvement, representation and servicing of PSBU members. Participants will also split up into the major sectors: same-day bike and car couriers; combined urban service drivers, cleaners, international mail processing workers and emergency dispatchers. In these groups, participants will identify their top workplace problems and possible solutions. Participants will also be tasked with determining sectoral priorities for bargaining.

The second day of the conference will focus on health and safety training for private sector members. CUPW’s education department has created a new workshop that focuses on occupational health and safety for private sector workers. This will be the first health and safety training for PSBU members.

 

Organizing transport service drivers

CUPW has been holding a national organizing campaign during the past six months. We have been trying to organize all transport service drivers – combined urban service, highway service, priority courier delivery and shuttle service drivers who are hired by companies with which Canada Post has a contract. The idea behind the campaign is to build a single bargaining unit with the strength to negotiate real changes in workplace conditions. The National Executive Board of the union passed an ambitious organizing plan for the future back in the fall. The union has committed to organize all workers in the postal sector.

You can find much more information about your union on our website at www.cupw-sttp.org. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or news you’d like to share.