On January 19, 2010, Canada Post (CPC) provided further details under article 29 of the Urban Collective Agreement regarding the impact that Modern Post will have on Hamilton, Montreal, Toronto and Scarborough.

New Multi Line Optical Character Readers (MLOCR) will be introduced in May 2010 into the following plants:

• Hamilton (8)
• Toronto South Central (43)
• Montreal (29)

New Video Encoding Systems (VES) and Centralized Computer Systems (CCS) will also be introduced.

CPC has advised the union that:

• Sequencing of lettermail to line of delivery will be introduced in Montreal (Monterey Depots 1 and 2) and Toronto (Adelaide Depot).
• There will be MSC restructures at Scarborough’s distribution centre (YDC) in order to move parcel work from the parcel delivery hub to the Don Mills, Toronto O and Toronto R letter carrier depots.
• CPC hopes to transfer non-technical activities on the new MLOCRs from technical service members to the MLOCR clerk operators.

Job Losses

CPC estimates a loss of 306.5 CUPW jobs and a reduction in temporary hours as a result of these changes.

Just the Beginning -- Death By 1,000 Cuts?

 CUPW believes that CPC is drastically understating the job cuts that it plans to make. In the notice, CPC suggests that additional notices will cover the introduction of more new processing equipment, new parcel sortation work methods, and the introduction of sequencing to line of delivery in many more letter carrier depots.  CPC said nothing about the impact that these changes will have on RSMCs or retail counters.

Many More Questions Than Answers

 For CUPW, these negotiations are more than just a process of implementing grand scale technological change in these post offices. It is about fairness and justice for workers, a viable public post office for the future and expanded services for the public.

Over the next few weeks national, regional and local officers will be meeting with CPC to seek answers to the many unknown aspects of the corporation’s plans.  Our priorities are to ensure that all changes benefit postal workers and the public and to ensuring that the corporation adheres to its obligation to provide a safe workplace.

Enforcing our vision of the Modern Post will require hard work and the solidarity of every member in every local. Stay informed and get involved.