On July 30, 2009 Canada Post announced that the new Winnipeg plant will be staffed with far fewer workers. They told the union that there would be fewer letter carriers, mail service couriers (MSCs), dispatchers and clerks. No information was provided for other Manitoba offices.

Under article 29.03 (b) of the collective agreement (the “(b) notice”), Canada Post was obligated to notify the union about any job losses caused by the new technology in Winnipeg – But (b) notices are also supposed to provide information about all foreseeable effects on employees, not just job loss.

The union met with the employer on August 6, 2009 and let them know that their “(b) notice” did not comply with the terms of our collective agreement because it was missing basic and important information – the kind of information the union needs to assess all the adverse effects of the new technology.

Until the employer’s “(b) notice” complies with the terms of our collective agreement, the unions position is that the time frame set out in article 29.03 (b) to negotiate protection for workers against the adverse affects of new technology is not applicable.

The union is still meeting with Canada Post and we will pass on more details next week about what the employer has already provided in their “(b) notice” and what information they haven’t provided.