CUPW has received the 2008 data for the national Group 1 ratio. According to Canada Post (CPC), the
2008 adjusted ratio is 82.76%.
Under Appendix P of the Urban Operations contract, at least 78% of the hours paid to postal clerks, mail
handlers, and dispatchers (Group 1) must be paid to full time employees as regular straight time hours, when
adjusted for absences.
Paid Hours Down in All Categories
All types of CUPW Group 1 members were paid for fewer hours in 2008 than in 2007. The Corporation’s
data breaks down as follows:
2007
2008
Full Time Adjusted Ratio
82.31%
82.76%
Full Time Unadjusted Ratio
77.27%
76.97%
Total Hours Paid
34,059,057
32,710,679
Total FT Straight Time Hours
25,395,308
24,439,378
Total PT Straight Time Hours
5,363,122
5,230,960
Total Hours by Temporaries
2,146,640
2,116,254
Total FT and PT Overtime Hours
1,153,740
924,086
Total Absenteeism
4,649,995
4,764,876
Casual Sick Leave
504,160
479,097
Certified Sick Leave
1,020,356
1,043,388
Injury On Duty
292,797
338,955
Absences over 30 days
2,225,681
2,296,138
This data means that there are fewer Group 1 jobs than in 2007, and fewer full time Group 1 jobs.
CPC Attacks, Mail Volume Declines Affect Hours Paid
These data may reflect Canada Post’s attacks on CUPW jobs at Retail wickets and in processing
plants. Hours paid to CUPW Retail employees declined from 4,811,362 in 2007 to 4,668,593 in 2008.
This reduction was suffered totally by full time regular Retail clerks, as both part time and
temporary hours increased in retail.
The reduction in hours paid may also be related to declines in mail volumes in the last few months of
2008, due to the economic recession. Mail volumes often follow trends in the economy.
Despite recent alarmist talk by Canada Post, it is too early to say how long the current recession will
last, how bad it will be, and what the longer term impact on mail volumes might be.
The total hours paid to employees declined in all major processing plants except for Regina and
Saskatoon. The decline was particularly noticeable in Victoria, where there were over 30,000 fewer
hours paid to Group 1 employees. This decline was almost entirely in the full time regular
category.
National Grievances Filed on Ratio
It is important to note that CUPW has concerns with the accuracy of CPC’s data. In 2007, the
Corporation changed the way in which it calculates the adjustment to the national ratio. CPC now
includes more absences in its adjustment formula than was the case in the past.
The change in the formula means that the adjusted ratio (the one that is used) appears to be much higher
than was the case in the past, even if the actual ratio is lower.
National grievances have been filed on this issue.
In solidarity,
Donald Lafleur
4th National Vice-President
Colin MacKenzie
National Union Representative - Staffing
