For over two years the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post (CPC) have been consulting on all plans related to Modern Post. The changes coming are on a scale not witnessed by the union for decades:

• The largest investment in technology and equipment since the 1970’s
• The first new plant built by Canada Post since the 1980’s
• Delivery will see the most significant change in its history
• New generation equipment from the containers to hold the mail, the carts to move the mail to the new Multi-line optical character readers (MLOCR) that will sequence the mail to line of delivery
• Automation to replace manual and knowledge-based postal work processes
• All job classifications will be impacted by these changes including retail workers, technical services workers and RSMCs.

June 1 was the first day of a series of dates scheduled in front of Arbitrator Keller to resolve a number of outstanding issues between the parties with respect to Modern Post.

With Large Scale Changes Comes Many Problems

CUPW has identified a number of problems with Canada Post’s plans. CUPW has always maintained that modernizing to ensure the viability of our public post office is a common goal. But CUPW also believes that workers, the public, and quality postal service should benefit from technological changes as well.

Automated Sequencing for Letter Carriers and RSMCs 

By the end of 2011, CPC intends to expand their “New Delivery Model” beyond Winnipeg. Forty seven letter carrier depots in Halifax, Montreal, Regina, Toronto and Winnipeg will receive machine-sequenced mail in the very near future. CUPW is awaiting official notification under article 29 of the collective agreement for the sites identified outside of Winnipeg in order to start negotiations to reduce adverse effects on workers.

CUPW met with CPC for the first time regarding their technological change notice for Winnipeg Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) members. During this meeting, the parties also discussed the most recent notice regarding RSMC members outside of Winnipeg who will also be receiving sequenced mail. Canada Post confirmed that Halifax, Regina and Etobicoke RSMC routes have also been targeted for sequenced delivery.

Many Changes

A new CEO, a new Modern Post, new equipment, new work processes…sometimes the only thing that seems constant is that change will always be happening at Canada Post.

One thing that will never change is the fact that our collective strength requires worker to worker solidarity.

The union’s Days of Action are being planned to build solidarity in our workplaces, so stay in touch with your local for details.  Let’s show our strength for our Modern Post POWERED BY THE PEOPLE.