In late June, a CUPW delegation went to the Tokyo area of Japan to meet with officials of the Toshiba Company, to which Canada Post has awarded a contract to manufacture the new mechanized sorting equipment, including two-tier MLOCRs and four-tier BCSs. The union was able to get a look at the prototypes of these machines, which are still under development. This allowed us to provide input and convey our concerns prior to the finalization of the machines. We are still waiting for Canada Post’s response.

The new MLOCRs and BCSs will be TT1200-series equipment will be manufactured to Canada Post specifications. They will process up to 41,000 pieces of sequenced mail per hour, with a read rate of 99.9%. The Director of the Toshiba Research Centre stated that the first machines will be ready for delivery by November. Canada Post would prefer to use just the MLOCR rather than both machines so as they start to do a more thorough review of each plant the number of the machines they will be purchasing changes.

At the meeting held on July 1^st, union representatives were provided with the technical data for the MLOCRs and BCSs, as well as a work simulation report. A presentation was given to us on some of the components of the equipment. Finally, we were able to examine the prototypes of the two machines

The TT1200-series MLOCR is three feet taller than MLOCRs now in use. It will have up to 304 stackers, i.e. 124 more than existing machines. They will be spread out over two levels or tiers and, underneath each tier they will, have trays that the operator will collect sorted and sequenced mail in.The lower tier of stackers protrudes eight inches from the upper-tier stackers. Stickers will be produced on printers attached to a telescopic arm.  The TT1200-series BCSs will have 192 stackers distributed over four tiers, i.e. eight fewer than the three-tier BCSs presently in operation. The lower-tier extends further out than the three others and there is a 10-inch deep running-board seven inches off the floor. As is the case for MLOCRs, printers are installed on telescopic arms above the machine.

According to Toshiba representatives, this new equipment is ergonomically designed. The results of a work simulation carried out by Toshiba were provided to the union. The data indicates that the risk of ergonomically-related injuries resulting from sweeping the stackers at the TT1200 MLOCR is low for the lower tier and moderate for the upper tier. As for the TT1200 BCS, the risk of injury is low for all four tiers. We had questions regarding the results of these simulations and requested the data used to come to these conclusions. To date we have not received them.

Positive changes have been made to some parts of the equipment. The arm holds the mail in the stackers is a lot lighter than the one on the machines currently in operation and is roughly one inch closer, which makes it easier to open with the fingers. These machines also have a remote start control that will allow Group 3 members to do their work more safely.

Nevertheless, the union did note a lot of things that need to be corrected. CUPW expressed their opinions and comments on various aspects of the equipment like ergonomic and safety. As a result, the union requested 22 changes, which have been submitted to Canada Post officials.

The union will continue to monitor the development of the equipment and will do everything it can to make sure this equipment does not impact negatively on members’ health and safety.