Effective May 17, 2010, Canada Post has stated that they will be changing the vehicle requirements for vacant routes and for On-Call Relief Employees (OCRE) positions.

The Union was not consulted prior to Canada Post making this outrageous change and the Union does not agree. This is another blatant attempt by Canada Post to try to undermine the Union and its members.

Canada Post has made this unilateral change under the guise that this is a health and safety issue, yet they never discussed it at the National Joint Health and Safety Committee (NJHSC).

Changes to Vehicle Types

If a route becomes vacant, Canada Post will change the vehicle type on the Schedule “A” (1) Route Summary to a vehicle with a minimum cargo space of 50 or 100 cubic ft, regardless of the type of mail receptacle being delivered to.  This change also comes with a list of additional requirements that the new vehicle must have i.e. power windows, traction control (if road conditions warrant), no obstruction between driver and passenger seat, etc. 

All these additional requirements will cost money. Canada Post’s answer to a perceived problem is to download the costs onto the lowest paid workers and shirk off their own responsibilities.

The type of vehicle on the Schedule “A” (1) is also linked to the RSMC Route Management System (RMS) and therefore to the remuneration.  Currently, the RMS has three vehicle types: 30 cubic ft (compact car), 100 cubic ft (minivan) and four-wheel drive (4X4).

There is no 50 cubic ft vehicle currently in the RMS and no value associated with the routes for this type of vehicle.

The Union does not know which vehicles Canada Post considers to be 50 cubic ft or which 100 cubic ft vehicles meet the criteria they have set out.

Changes to OCRE Positions 

Canada Post has also taken the unilateral decision to change the vehicle type on all vacant OCRE positions to 100 cubic ft vehicles with specific requirements.

In the past, there was an agreement between the parties on vehicle types for some postal installations with OCREs. The Union considers this agreement still to be in effect.

National Consultation

At the National Consultation meeting held on June 17, 2010, the Union discussed this subject.  Canada Post said that they had taken this decision to deal with “ergonomic issues” and “future business.” The Union informed Canada Post that this in fact is a change in RSMC working conditions. In reality we believe it is linked to Postal Transformation and, as such, a proper notice should be given to the Union.

Canada Post was unable to provide any information on the new vehicles and the rationale behind this change.

The Union has requested from Canada Post a list and the costing of the vehicles that now meet the new criteria.

The parties have agreed to meet again to discuss the issues, but Canada Post has no plans to stop the implementation and has indeed begun applying these new vehicles to newly-structured routes and vacant positions.

If your rights have been violated because of this change, i.e. you no longer qualify to bid on a vacant route (internally or externally) using your seniority rights, contact your local shop steward and file a grievance.

The Union will continue to keep you updated.