As reported in an April 15, 2010 Bulletin, the employer had previously informed the Union that as part of its introduction of Modern Post, it intended to delete eight (8) RSMC positions in Winnipeg. The employer has recently provided technological change notices for three other installations; Etobicoke Station “B”, Halifax Letter Carrier Depot (LCD) # 1 and Regina LCD # 3. The dates on which sequencing of mail will be introduced into these installations varies, with Etobicoke Station “B” RSMC members scheduled to receive sequenced mail as of January 6, 2011, Halifax LCD # 1 members on November 1, 2010 and members working in Regina LCD “3” on March 7, 2011. The impact on the number of RSMC positions in those installations also varies with the employer indicating that there will be no deletion of positions in Etobicoke, a reduction of one (1) position in Halifax and a reduction of two (2) positions in Regina.

Parties Negotiate under Provisions of Canada Labour Code

As the RSMC collective agreement does not contain language pertaining to the introduction of technological changes, the Union and the employer have begun meeting on a regular basis to negotiate the impact of the technological changes on the RSMC membership pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Labour Code (the Code). The Union representatives attending those negotiation meetings are the same individuals representing the Union in the negotiations that are taking place concerning the impact of the technological changes on the Urban Operations membership.

The most recent meeting between the parties took place on June 11, 2011 to deal primarily with the situation in Winnipeg. At this meeting, the Union representatives raised a number of questions with the employer. These included: 1) impact of sequencing on route structure and compensation for individual routes, 2) the training that will be provided to the incumbents of affected routes, 3) whether seniority will be used by the employer when number of positions are reduced. The employer was unable to provide specific responses to questions 2 and 3 and they will therefore be revisited at subsequent meetings. However, in response to the employer’s position concerning the reduction of positions, the Union did indicate, as it has previously, that it is opposed to the lay-off of any of the RSMC membership.

In terms of question 1, the employer did indicate that its goal was to bring the four week average daily hours up to eight route measurement system (RMS) hours per day and that it was not intending to reduce compensation now being paid to individual route holders when sequencing was implemented. However, in response to further questioning by the Union, the employer did indicate that if points of call are then added to a route, compensation would be adjusted through the provisions of Appendix “A”. The Union does not agree with this method of calculating additional compensation.

Protections from Technological Change Required in Collective Agreement

As well as attempting to limit the adverse impact of the employer’s introduction of Modern Post on RSMC members the Union will also be attempting to introduce language into the RSMC collective agreement that will provide a mechanism similar to that found in the Urban Operations collective agreement for dealing with present and future technological change notices.

As new developments occur in either the negotiations occurring under the Code or the interest arbitration dealing with amendments to the RSMC collective agreement, the Union will provide information to the membership concerning such new developments. As well, the employer will undoubtedly continue its attempts to convince the membership that its introduction of technological changes and its responses to the Union’s collective agreement demands are meant to improve the working lives of the membership. If you have any questions about the information provided by the Union or you are concerned with the propaganda you are receiving from the employer, please do not hesitate in contacting your local, Regional or National Union representatives for clarification.