Annual Boot Allowance for RSMCs and OCREs

Clause 24.03 provides that, as of January 1^st, 2007, and every year afterwards, each employee with RSMC duties shall receive an annual boot allowance, and that such payment must be issued by January 31^st each year.

Calculation of the annual boot allowance – clause 24.03

For RSMCs, the method used to calculate the amount of the annual boot allowance you are entitled to is described in clause 24.03. You need to determine the number of daily hours you are scheduled for under the Route Management System (RSMC/RMS) as of the month of January.

Generally, the number of daily hours is indicated on Schedule “A-1” (Route Summary) . We are aware that there are routes with a delivery frequency of less than five days per week.

Amount of the annual boot allowance

The amount of the annual boot allowance you are entitled to is based on the number of daily work hours scheduled under the Route Management System (RSMC/RMS), multiplied by thirty dollars ($30.00), to a yearly maximum of two hundred and forty dollars ($240.00).

RSMCs on unpaid leave for more than 30 days

RSMC employees who are on unpaid leave for at least 30 (thirty) days are also entitled to receive the annual boot allowance. 

Annual Boot allowance for on-call relief employees (OCREs)

On-call relief employees (OCREs) are also entitled to the boot allowance, as provided for in paragraph 7 in Appendix “E” of the collective agreement: “On-call relief employees shall receive an annual boot allowance in the amount of one hundred eighty dollars ($180.00) per year. Such payment shall be issued by January 31^st each year.” Unlike RSMCs, OCREs (on-call relief employees) are entitled to receive the entire amount of the annual boot allowance, i.e. one hundred and eighty dollars ($180.00) per year, regardless of the daily number of hours they’ve worked.

Eligibility for the annual boot allowance

Anyone who, on January 1^st, 2010, is an employee of CPC as an RSMC or an OCRE is eligible for the entire amount of the annual boot allowance.

Checking your amount

First of all, please make sure you have received the allowance, and then check the amount to ensure it is the one you are entitled to. The total amount of the annual boot allowance is non-taxable and non-pensionable.

If you notice any discrepancies, you should ask a union steward to help you make representations to local management and have the situation rectified. If the discrepancies persist, ask your CUPW local or regional office for assistance to determine if filing a grievance would be appropriate.

Past practice

All RSMC and OCRE employees on strength on January 1^st, 2007 and on January 1^st, 2008 received the entire amount of the annual boot allowance, whether they were at work or on leave without pay.

In January 2009, Canada Post changed its past practice by refusing to pay RSMCs and OCREs on unpaid leave, which violates the collective agreement. The Union has filed a national grievance against the new Canada Post practice of not paying the annual boot allowance to those on unpaid leave. We ask RSMCs and OCREs on unpaid leave who did not get the full amount of their 2010 annual boot allowance on January 31^st to file an individual grievance.

In solidarity,
Philippe Arbour
National Grievance Officer 

Note: This document was drafted in conjunction with the CUPW members of the RSMC Transition Committee :

Francis Bénard, Jacqueline Wilkinson and Chris Pleasants