Changes to the Dental Care Plan for Retirees

The Employer has advised the Union that all employees who are hired by Canada Post on or after November 1, 2009 will be required to pay 100% of the premiums for the retiree dental plan. In addition, all employees who are hired by Canada Post on or after November 1, 2009 who are residents of British Columbia (BC) will no longer be reimbursed for the BC provincial Medical Insurance Plan Premium once they retire.

The Union held consultation with the employer on this issue, but the Corporation refused to rescind its unilateral decision. The Corporation does not have the right to change the employees’ working conditions unilaterally. However, the employer thinks otherwise and is wiping out important rights for union members with the stroke of a pen.

Existing working conditions concerning the payment of financial benefits have to remain in effect until the parties agree otherwise. However, the Corporation has decided that is not the case and is discriminating against new employees hired on or after November 1^st, 2009.

The employer has advised the Union that the elimination of these benefits does not require the consent of or negotiations with the Union.

On November 25, 2009, the Union filed a national grievance to protect the rights of new employees. On January 4, 2010, the employer replied to the grievance as follows:

“A grievance hearing was held on November 30, 2009, at which time the parties discussed the issues associated with National Grievance N00-07-00027.

Canada Post maintains that retiree dental plan benefits and the reimbursement of the British Columbia provincial Medical Insurance Plan Premium upon retirement, for employees who are hired on or after November 1, 2009, are not items the amendment of which by Canada Post would require either the consent of or negotiation with the Union.

Canada Post maintains that there has been no violation of the collective agreement. This grievance is therefore denied.”

As you can see, the Corporation’s arrogance knows no bounds. In fact, it has already proposed using the financial cap to pay a corporate team incentive (CTI) to RSMC members even though the cap is supposed to be used to improve their working conditions. In other words, RSMC members would be financing their own CTI and, in doing so, lose the chance to improve such things as their wages. This shows a total lack of respect for these employees who work hard to provide quality services to the public.

The next round of negotiations requires everyone’s involvement, junior and senior members alike. It is also in the interest of future retirees getting ready to leave the Corporation to follow negotiations closely and take an active part in related union activities.

The next round of negotiations will be successful only if we hold strong one minute longer than the boss. 

We urge you to refrain from attending employer-organized meetings, especially those dealing with your working conditions.

It’s up to you to decide!