December 8, 2008 was the first date in the technological change National Policy Grievance concerning Modern Post.  The grievance is in front of Arbitrator Burkett.

Health and Safety Problems and Impact on Jobs

CUPW described the magnitude of the “Modern Post” project.  The Union talked about the possible adverse health and safety effects of the project and about the impact on CUPW jobs.

The union gave several examples of situations where Canada Post (CPC) has not provided information or has given information to CUPW late.

CPC Claims It Has Provided Information

Canada Post said that they have gone further than their contractual obligations under article 29 by providing more than two years advance notice to the union.  They said that more information has been provided than for any previous technological change.

Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver Safe until 2011?

On the future of the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver mail processing plants CPC’s legal counsel told Arbitrator Burkett that NOTHING will start in these three sites before 2011 to 2012.  CPC Labour Relations had previously given CUPW different information.

CPC Has Already Chosen the New Machines?

At the end of the day, the Corporation advised CUPW that they have selected the supplier of the new generation machines. CUPW has been asking for this information for several months, and Canada Post has postponed the last three national Modern Post consultations because “the Corporation does not have any agenda items”.

CPC did not tell CUPW who the supplier is.

It is important that the Union know which machines will be used in the Corporation’s Modern Post initiative, so that we can start the work of evaluating the new equipment from a health and safety perspective.  There have been health and safety problems whenever new equipment has been introduced in the past.

Postal workers do not want a repeat of the injury problems that occurred when CPC unilaterally introduced the Bar Code Sorters with no input from the Union.

CUPW also requires this information so that it can provide accurate information to members. Postal workers deserve to be provided with timely information about their future.

How long has CPC known who the supplier is and what machines will be used in plants for the Modern Post?

When does CPC plan to tell CUPW who the supplier is?

Are the postal facilities in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver really safe until 2011?