There are some important meetings taking place within the next few months which will assist CUPW in critically analyzing CPC’s plans for their Postal Transformation

United States

This week, Pam Donato, President of the Minneapolis local of the National Association of Letter Carriers, will speak to the National Executive Board in Ottawa. She will also meet with CUPW’s national sub-committee on delivery in the Modern Post, and with representatives of the national office, Central Region and Ottawa Local.

This important meeting will expand on previous meetings held in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary. There, Sister Donato explained the reality of mechanized r sequencing on the letter carrier workday.

Mechanized sequencing involves the sortation of mail into order of delivery by machine. Lettermail has been sequenced for letter carriers and rural route carriers in the United States for over 15 years.

In addition six CUPW representatives will visit the United States this fall and visit with letter carriers there to look at how mail is delivered.

CUPW is also contacting the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) representing clerks, maintenance employees; the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association (NRLCA) representing American rural letter carriers and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) to arrange for future meetings.

Great Britain

In late September and Early October, four CUPW representatives will attend the Postal Expo in London and visit with members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in the UK.

Going to the Postal Expo will allow CUPW representatives to attend postal manufacturer and postal administration workshops. At the workshops, we can speak directly to manufacturers of the new generation equipment that CPC is considering purchasing about issues such health and safety and staffing.

In the United Kingdom, the Royal Mail conducted trials on two versions of sequencing equipment from two different suppliers. Solystic was finally selected over Siemens as the preferred supplier. Both manufacturers are still being considered by Canada Post.

The Royal Mail is just beginning to roll out mechanized sequencing to letter carrier depots. CUPW can ask CWU representatives and British letter carriers and clerks about their experience with the new sequencing equipment.

Norway

In October, two CUPW representatives will be attending a conference of the International Transportation Federation (ITF), in Oslo, as well as meeting with Norwegian postal unions.

CUPW knows that CPC has looked very seriously at Norway and their work processes that include collation of unaddressed admail and sequencing. In fact, during the CPC Regional Forums, CPC featured many photos including vehicles from Norway in their Forum presentations.

CPC refuses CUPW proposal to pilot sequencing

CUPW’s research indicates that rolling out concepts such as delivery route sequencing without a testing and assessment period is a dangerous proposition. Austria abandoned the idea altogether while the UK piloted machines from two different suppliers before rolling out the technology to other sites. Australia and France have also used the pilot project approach.

CUPW proposed that CPC use Winnipeg as a pilot site for the mechanized sequencing concept. This would have allowed CPC to be sure that the Corporation will actually achieve predicted productivity gains. The Union could also fully understand potential health and safety problems.

Canada Post refused the Union’s proposal

These meetings and visits show how solidarity with unions in other countries allows CUPW gain information about new technologies available to postal administrations. With this information, we can critically assess how new technology will impact CUPW members, and can ensure that our vision of the Modern Post is achieved.