CUPW holds conference for Private Sector Bargaining Unit members

PSBU Conference

Twenty-nine Private Sector Bargaining Unit (PSBU) members gathered in Toronto from a range of sectors to discuss their role in CUPW, workplace problems and solutions and collective bargaining priorities. This was the second conference held by the union for PSBU members. The union is producing a report based on the conference and will follow-up on the recommendations from participants.

 

Some of the points participants made were:

• Need to organize more in the courier sector
• Prioritize settling grievances more quickly
• Develop shorter education courses and include members from multiple bargaining units – PSBU, urban postal workers and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers members
• Create a benefits package PSBU bargaining units can negotiate into their collective agreements

 

Here are some quotes from participant’s evaluation forms:

What new information did you gain?

“To know that other people are willing to make the same commitment as I am to create a larger and stronger union.”

 

Did you learn anything you can share with your local?

“that we are not alone in this struggle, and that it would be a good idea to standardize the industry.”

 

What part of the conference did you find most useful or interesting? Why?

“The division by work sector, which gave us the possibility of sharing with colleagues who have different approaches to deal with similar problems.”

 

Health and Safety training for PSBU members

CUPW held the first ever health and safety training session for PSBU members following the conference. Members learned about workplace hazards, the prevention of health and safety problems, the investigation process after an injury occurs and about workplace health and safety inspections.

The union will look at following up this first health and safety training with increased information and training.

CUPW also produces a health and safety newsletter called Our Health Our Safety. If the health and safety representative in your workplace doesn’t receive this newsletter, be sure to mail, fax or e-mail us your contact information.

 

Review of the CUPW structure passed at convention

A resolution passed at the CUPW convention in April that has the possibility of creating major changes in the union’s structure. The National Executive Board (NEB) of CUPW will appoint an independent third party group to review the structure of the union.

The review will include input from all levels of the union – including PSBU members. In fact, one of the reasons for this review is that the union now represents members in numerous bargaining units, employed by multiple employers with many different collective agreements.

Please keep us informed with stories and information from your workplaces and bargaining units:

 

By mail:             

George Floresco
377 Bank Street
Ottawa Ontario  K2P 1Y3

By fax:

(613) 563-7861

By e-mail:

org_syn@cupw-sttp.org