Every person should be able to have a job that enables them to live a good life.  Unfortunately, too many people work for lousy wages and in poor conditions.  This is why CUPW is joining with unions across the globe to mark October 7^th as the World Day for Decent Work (WDDW).

This year, CUPW is focusing our World Day for Decent Work activities on Rural and Surburan Mail Carriers (RSMCs).  RSMCs do not currently have decent work.  Canada Post has steadfastly refused to pay many RSMCs for all the hours they have worked and has systematically violated their contractual rights. The corporation has also abused the funds set aside in the RSMC “Financial Cap” for improvements to wages, benefits and working conditions.

The union is currently bargaining under the re-opener clauses in the RSMC collective agreement to ensure that RSMCs havedecent work, including:

• Full job security for all RSMCs.  RSMCs are delivering to more and more addresses every year.  They deserve job security.
• Protections concerning technological change.  Canada Post is bringing in a great deal of new automated equipment.  This will affect many RSMC routes.
• A fair Route Measurement System (RMS) which recognizes all work performed by RSMCs, including sortation, preparation, (un)loading, and householder work.
• The right to receive benefits such as drug coverage, disability insurance and paid sick leave.

Internationally, the theme for World Day for Decent Work is the economic crisis.  Workers across the world are experiencing big job losses.  Many employers are using the economic crisis as an excuse to push for cutbacks and rollbacks.

On October 7^th, CUPW and others are calling for a more thoughtful and reasonable approach to the economic crisis.  We believe that decent work must be at the centre of a plan to bring back economic growth and build a global economy that puts people first.

Please join CUPW in the fight for decent work for RSMCs by supporting RSMC negotiations activities in your local.