Bulletins for Members

When COVID-19 abates, there will be a great struggle over what policies and ideas take centre-stage. The public is certainly grateful to frontline workers right now – whether they are cleaners, couriers, medical dispatchers, postal workers, health care workers, or others on the frontlines. We must leverage this support to demand policies from governments that will actually help our society and working people.

**Montreal, St-Jerome and Ste-Therese Locals** Quebec summer day camps will open as of June 22 across the province, Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced on Thursday May 21, 2020. Camp groups will be smaller in size, and have smaller counsellor-to-child ratios, with physical distancing directives in place. We know this information is coming late, but want you to be able to register your school age child for this summer program.

Only one year ago, we had just finished our national convention and I wrote that I would follow through with “my commitment to build a united union, to fight the attacks on all our members and to mobilize the membership” for the future. How could we have ever predicted that our members would play such a crucial and historically unprecedented role in our communities? During this pandemic, we are doing what we do best.

ARTICLE 35.08 – RATE OF PAY ON PROMOTION, DEMOTION AND TRANSFER - The Union is continuing to remotely meet and review this file with the employer during this COVID-19 pandemic. On May 14, 2020 (Pay Period 10), Canada Post will be making a payment to approximately 40 other members who were incorrectly paid due to CPC using the incorrect pay rate calculation.

On April 17, 2020 the Ford Government announced an expansion of eligible workers able to access free emergency child care in Ontario. It was the right thing to do, even if overdue. Added to the list of workers were, “federally employed staff including Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency” and Canada Post employees.” Subsequently we learned that there was not, in fact, a directive issued by the Ford Government to Municipal Child Care Service Managers to restrict access to two-parent families, unless both parents are on the list of “designated” workers.

On April 17, 2020 the Ford Government announced an expansion of eligible workers able to access free emergency child care in Ontario. Added to the list of workers were, “federally employed staff including Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency and Canada Post employees.” We thought this was a win for postal workers in Ontario. What the Ford Government didn’t announce was a behind the scenes directive to municipal child care service managers to restrict access to two-parent families, unless both parents are on the list of “designated” workers. A little like giving with one hand and taking with the other.

This May Day we continue the struggle for justice. No matter where we come from, what we look like, or what we do, we all deserve to have our health and safety ensured at work. We must continue to demand governments and employers move towards social and ecological sustainability, where all are considered and cared for fairly– a way of living collectively where resources are shared in an equitable, peaceful and sustainable way.

Canada Post has notified the Union that they are changing the work methods for RSMCs. In regard to Personal Contact Items (PCIs), CPC has decided that there will no longer be a 0.5 KM rule. CUPW had agreed to this as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 crisis as long as this is voluntary. It is their position that they do not need agreement from the Union.

Foodora Canada’s move to leave the market is a cruel act by a multinational corporation in the middle of a pandemic. Food delivery couriers, like postal workers, have been continuing to provide a vital service in the pandemic, yet Foodora has provided zero safety protocols, PPE, or supports.

OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers alleges that Foodora Canada and its parent company Delivery Hero are breaking several sections of Ontario labour law, by closing down in order to defeat a union organizing drive. The unfair labour practices complaint has been filed today with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). Anti-union actions, as CUPW alleges the closure to be, are illegal.