Our Sisters and Brothers in the Union of Postal Communications Employees (UPCE) could be in a legal strike position as early as November 17, 2008. The union served Canada Post 72 hour strike notice as of Thursday, November 13, 2008.

If Canada Post doesn’t withdraw their rollbacks – especially around sick leave – we can expect to see picket lines in front of numerous post offices.

Who is UPCE and why are they striking?

UPCE members work in Canada Post call centers, they check mail volumes, are clerical workers and pay clerks.

They are striking because Canada Post is trying to cut back their sick leave and replace it with a “Short Term Disability” (STD) plan.  Manulife would oversee the administration and approval of this plan, subject to Employment Insurance regulations. 

Canada Post wants to reduce UPCE member’s fifteen days paid sick leave entitlement and five days paid family related leave to a combined entitlement of seven non-cumulative days per year.

Almost 90% of UPCE members have said no to this rollback by authorizing a strike if necessary.  But, Canada Post isn’t listening.

What should CUPW members do when faced with an UPCE picket line at the entrance of the post office?

CUPW and UPCE have signed a picket line protocol which will allow CUPW member’s to go to work.  You will need to follow the directions of the UPCE picket captain.  A copy of the picket line protocol has been sent to Locals.

CUPW members need to support UPCE

Moya Greene has publicly stated that Canada Post intends to impose the STD plan on all Canada Post workers.

If members of the CUPW Urban Operations Bargaining Unit want to preserve our sick leave, they need to show solidarity with UPCE members.  If RSMC’s want to improve their personal leave days and want to negotiate for paid sick leave in future rounds of bargaining, they must show support to UPCE members.

What can you do to support UPCE?

Here is a list of things a CUPW member can do to support UPCE:

• If there is a UPCE picket line at your work location, join it before or after work.  Remember, the longer the line the shorter the strike.
  
  
• Do not do UPCE members’ work.  We don’t want to help out Canada Post out by performing struck work.  Under the provisions of the Canada Labour Code, we are legally not required to perform struck work. 
  
  
• Tell Canada Post supervisors and managers that you support UPCE.
  
   
• Wear buttons, and stickers supporting UPCE.
  
   
• Use “Ask Moya” to send questions as to why Canada Post is trying to provoke a strike during the busiest time of the year.
  
   
• Attend UPCE support rallies.

CUPW Locals will be working closely with UPCE.  If your Local asks you to undertake certain actions, please do so.   Remember by supporting UPCE you are protecting your future.