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Issue: 48,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have been locked out by Canada Post

Actions Requested: Help them on the picket lines in your area. In Edmonton, go to the main plant at 12135-149 Street or to the downtown plant at 9808 - 103A Avenue. In Calgary, join them at 1100 - 49 Avenue, N.E. In Fort McMurray, go to the Hardin Street deport between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday for a BBQ on the line. Check your local Canada Post depots for other picket lines.

When: Tonight (Wednesday, June 15th) and tomorrow (Thursday, June 16th)

Issue – CUPW Calls on Allies for Support

Canada Post locked out 48,000 workers across the country last night (Tuesday, June 14th). Today, they have been on the picket lines and are asking us to come out to provide support and strengthen those lines.

Anyone able to come by the main Edmonton plant at 12135-149 Street or the downtown plant 9808 - 103A Avenue would be appreciated. At the main Edmonton plant, the early shift 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. is in desperate need of fortifying the lines.

CUPW says it does not know what the next 48 hours holds, but the federal government is positioning itself to impose back-to-work legislation. Flooding MP offices with calls and e-mails and coming out to join the picket lines to bolster support would lift the spirits of our brothers and sisters.

Issue: CAW Local 2002 members at Air Canada will hit the picket lines at Calgary and Edmonton International Airports on the morning of Tuesday, June 14

Actions Requested: Join the picket lines to show your support for workers as they attempt to get a fair contract from Air Canada

When: Between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 14

Issue:

Air Canada employees have seen a substantial deterioration in compensation and working conditions over the last decade, with real wages after inflation declining to the tune of more than $10,000 per year in purchasing power for members of CAW Local 2002.

Despite this drop in earning power and working with 45-per-cent fewer staff, productivity has soared by 75 per cent – thanks to the efforts of hard-working and dedicated employees. Indeed, Air Canada has won multiple awards for quality service.

Now, with Air Canada recovering from turbulent economic times and reporting financial success, the company has chosen to attack its workers, demanding concessions on pensions, on outsourcing and on part-time work.

While asking employees and their families to tighten their belts – again - Air Canada CEO Calvin Rovinescu enjoyed a 76-per-cent raise last year, with his earnings at $4.55 million. On top of that, he gets more in share appreciation and will be paid a $5-million "retention bonus" in March 2012.

CAW Local 2002 is fighting the attempt to slash the pension plan for existing and future workers and to create a two-tier workforce – and it needs your help. Join them on the picket lines at Calgary and Edmonton International Airports between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14. In Edmonton, you report to the Gulf Stream Room, Executive Royal Inn, 8450 Sparrow Drive, Leduc. In Calgary, report to the Otter Room, Acclaim Hotel, 123 Freeport Boulevard NE, Calgary.

Now that Air Canada is financially successful, it's time to share that success with the workers who have helped them to achieve it. It's only fair.

As postal workers walked picket lines in the Edmonton and Calgary areas today (Wednesday), Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) president Gil McGowan said Albertans should support the fight for a better postal service and safe working conditions.

“Alberta communities deserve a good public postal service, one that meets their needs, but Canada Post seems intent on cutting services and lowering standards,” says McGowan, president of the AFL, which represents 145,000 workers.

“The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has made great proposals to take Canada Post profits and invest them in better service, but these have been rejected by the employer. CUPW has also proposed ways to increase profits, such as offering banking services like post offices in many countries around the world, but these ideas have also been dismissed,” says McGowan.

“In this dispute, it is the union that is fighting for a better Canada Post, while management appears to be interested only in cutting services and slashing pay and benefits to boost the bottom line. Canada Post has made $1.7 billion in profit in 15 years, thanks in large part to the efforts and efficiency postal workers. Those profits should be invested in improving services and working conditions.”

McGowan also defended the postal workers’ bid to improve workplace safety. “Independent research has shown that postal workers endure disabling injuries at 3.5 times the average rate for other workers. New workplace methods introduced by Canada Post are making the situation even worse. Albertans understand that workers should be protected and that employers have a responsibility to make workplaces safe.”

The AFL president also said Albertans believe in fairness and that Canada Post proposals to create a two-tiered wage and benefits package that punishes newly hired workers is unacceptable.

“CUPW is fighting for young workers today and for the workers of the future. It is also fighting for the future of all our communities. It has the full support of the members of the AFL.”

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CONTACT: 

Gil McGowan, AFL president, will be on the picket lines in Calgary and Edmonton today. For information, call him at780-218-9888.

Issue: CUPW members in Calgary and Edmonton area hit picket lines last night (Tuesday, June 7th) for a 24-hour strike

Actions Requested: Join the picket line until 9 p.m. in Calgary at 1100 - 49 Avenue, N.E.; join the picket line at the main plant in Edmonton at 12135 - 149 Street until 10 p.m. or at the downtown plant at 9808 - 103A Avenue until 9 p.m. Check your local Canada Post depots for picket lines.

When: Immediately

Issue:

Postal workers in the Calgary and Edmonton areas hit the picket lines last night in their fight for an improved public postal service, safer working conditions and fairness for all employees.

Now it's time to show your support for your local posties by joining them on the line.

In Calgary, go to the main plant at 1100 49 Avenue N.E., where picketing will continue until 9 p.m. today (Wednesday).

In Edmonton, there will be pickets at the main plant at 12135 - 149 Street until 10 p.m. There will be pickets at the downtown plant at 9808 - 103A Avenue until 9 p.m. There will also be pickets at other Canada Post depots, including those at St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Camrose, Wetaskiwin and Fort Saskatchewan.

Gord Fischer, National Director of the Prairie region for CUPW, explained the reason behind the union's choice for its Edmonton and Calgary locals to go out next.

"Canada Post is refusing to put proper staffing in place, leading to overwork and forced overtime," Fischer said. "Routes don't get covered and mail ends up sitting in the depots, leading to complaints about service."

"The union has clear demands about improving our service and making sure adequate staffing is in place. Canada Post wants us to do more with less, regardless of what that does to the public's postal service."

Canada Post continues to dismiss the union's demands that health and safety issues be addressed. It also will not acknowledge the postal workers' proposals for innovation and service expansion to keep the corporation profitable.

Striking workers at the St. Albert Post Office returned to work this morning (Friday) after being ordered to end their wildcat walkout by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).

The Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMCs) began a wildcat strike on Tuesday to protest arbitrary cuts to their wages that were imposed by Canada Post.  Word spread quickly across the country and letters of support in solidarity streamed in from citizens and trade-union organizations.

Officials with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will meet with Canada Post today to try to resolve any remaining issues that triggered the strike at the distribution centre in St. Albert.

Bev Ray, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 730 in Edmonton, apologized for any inconvenience caused by this service disruption.  “We hope that customers understand how important it was for these workers to take this action to protect their livelihoods and the future of their families,” she said.

About 15 RSMCs walked off the job after being told, without advance notice, that the parcel rate that determines their pay for parcels they deliver was being cut. The carriers, who use their own vehicles and pay for their own insurance to deliver the mail, get paid by an averaged rate of mail delivered, so a cut in parcel rate means a cut in pay that could come to thousands of dollars per year even though they still have to deliver the same amount of parcels.

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For more information contact Bev Ray, President @ 780) 423-9000, ext. 223 or (780) 719-4555   [email protected]

Issue: Postal Workers Need Your Help – TODAY!

Actions Requested: Support the CUPW picket line at 131 – 1 Herbert Road, St. Albert

When: April 13, 2011 – Immediately

Your help is urgently needed on a picket line at a Canada Post distribution centre in St. Albert, where members of Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) walked off the job yesterday.

The picket is being maintained 24 hours a day to prevent scabs from going to work at the installation, 131-1 Herbert Road, St. Albert (the southeast corner of the strip mall at St. Albert Trail and Herbert Road). Canada Post has had contractors nearby, and made attempts to bring them in to do the work of CUPW members. CUPW, members and supporters blocked the entrance to protect the work of the unionized rural and suburban mail carriers (RSMC) employees.

Letter carriers, MSCs and Canada Post customers are not being prevented from entering and leaving the site.

"Our members are furious over changes introduced without notice that could cost them thousands of dollars per year," says Bev Ray, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 730 in Edmonton.

The rural and suburban mail carriers were given letters by Canada Post yesterday saying that the number of parcels they delivered was being cut.

"There was no discussion with the carriers beforehand and no notice provided to the union. In fact, Canada Post said the new rules came into effect April 11, even though the letters weren't given to the RSMC employees until April 12," says Ray.

The carriers, who use their own vehicles and pay for their own insurance to deliver the mail, get paid per piece of mail delivered, so a cut in parcels means a cut in pay that could come to thousands of dollars per year.

"These workers have not had a pay increase for more than two years. To arbitrarily announce measures that will seriously cut their wages is an appalling and inconsiderate move by Canada Post management," says Ray.

About 15 rural and suburban mail carriers are affected at the St. Albert centre, but CUPW is concerned that similar measures are being planned at other Canada Post facilities across the country.

For information, contact: Bev Ray, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 730, 780-423-9000, ext. 223.

Information picket lines have gone up at the Canada Post distribution centre in St. Albert after rural and suburban mail carriers walked off the job.

“Our members are furious over changes introduced without notice that could cost them thousands of dollars per year,” says Bev Ray, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 730 in Edmonton.

The rural and suburban mail carriers at the distribution centre at 131 - 1 Hebert Road, St. Albert, were given letters by Canada Post yesterday saying that the number of parcels they delivered was being cut.

“There was no discussion with the carriers beforehand. In fact, Canada Post said the new rules came into effect April 11, even though the letters weren’t given to the carriers until April 12,” says Ray.

The carriers, who use their own vehicles and pay for their own insurance to deliver the mail, get paid per piece of mail delivered, so a cut in parcels means a cut in pay that could come to thousands of dollars per year.

“These workers have not had a pay increase for more than two years. To arbitrarily announce measures that will seriously cut their wages is an appalling and inconsiderate move by Canada Post management,” says Ray.

About 15 rural and suburban mail carriers are affected at the St. Albert centre, but CUPW is concerned that similar measures are being planned at other Canada Post facilities across the country.

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Contact:

For more information contact: Bev Ray, President at 780-423-9000 or 780-719-4555

Say 'No' to private health care!

• At 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 10, those who value public health care can join a rally organized by Friends of Medicare at the facility operated by the Health Resource Centre (HRC) at #1, 1402 8th Ave. N.W., Calgary. In case you missed it in the news, HRC is the private health care provider that has filed for bankruptcy and required a bailout of millions of dollars from taxpayers. For more information on the rally ... and for the FOM blog, click here ...

Reforming broken revenue system vital to Alberta's future

• The global economic news is gloomy and it's clear that Alberta's recovery from the recession is still on shaky ground. The problems have been compounded by a broken revenue system that is dependent on volatile resource revenues. It's time for a grown-up conversation on how to fix our revenue system. For more information ...

McKesson Canada strike in Edmonton is over

• After 66 days on the picket line, members of UFCW 401 at McKesson Canada in Edmonton are going back to work, after voting to accept a memorandum recommended by the union that included significant pay raises and improvements in vision and dental care. For more information ...

Canada Malting workers on strike in Calgary

• Members of UFCW 1118 who work at Canada Malting began a strike on August 24, after voting 80% to reject the company's final offer. Please join them on the picket line. For more information ...

Urgent Action

• The Canadian Labour Congress, in co-operation with the Canadian Red Cross, is working to provide an easy way for union members to make a donation to help flood victims in Pakistan and instantly receive a tax receipt. The federal government will match individual donations until Sept. 12. From now until Sept. 30, 2010, you can make a secure donation by clicking here ...

Events

• September 5, 2010 - Calgary Pride Parade, 8th Avenue and 8th Street SW, Calgary

• September 6, 2010 - EDLC Annual Labour Day Barbeque, Giovanni Caboto Park, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• September 6, 2010 - CDLC Annual Labour Day Barbeque, Calgary Olympic Plaza, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• September 10/11, 2010 - CDLC Municipal Election Training Workshop. For more details ...

Did you know ...

• the prohibition on the operation of private hospitals;
• the limits to and conditions on the provision of private surgical services;
• Doctors opting in or out (not practising in both the public and private systems);
• prohibited fees; and
• the prohibition of queue jumping.

Members of UFCW 1118 who work at Canada Malting in Calgary began strike action on August 24, after voting by 80% to reject the company's final offer.

A total of 67 workers are now walking the picket line at 3316 Bonnybrook Road S.E., Calgary, between 6 a.m. and midnight. They'd welcome support on the line from all in the labour movement, so please drop by when you can.

The major issue in the dispute is the company's insistence on moving from a defined benefits pension plan to a defined contributions plan.

For updates ...

After 66 days on the picket line, members of UFCW 401 at McKesson Canada are going back to work.

On Sept. 1, they voted 83 per cent in favour of a memorandum recommended by the union, that included significant pay raises and improvements in vision and dental care.

The strike by about 200 workers began in the final week of June to back up demands for wage fairness, benefit improvements, as well as issues of dignity and respect. Picket lines were set up at both McKesson warehouse locations, at 10931 - 177 Street and at 18503 - 107 Avenue.

UFCW 401 expressed their thanks to the AFL and others for support during the dispute.