Thursday May 19 2022
We’re almost halfway through 2022, but it has already been another busy year for CUPW, with no signs of stopping. 
While our provinces and cities lift COVID restrictions and the world begins to reopen, the pandemic continues to cause uncertainty and we must continue to respect each other. We’ll soon be able to meet in person as the National Executive Board just lifted the travel ban, but let’s be mindful that we’ve all experienced the pandemic differently and have different comfort levels with the removal of restrictions.
It’s important to treat each other kindly and with respect as we continue to do the work of the Union. We will not always agree, but we cannot attack each other. Our fight is with the employer.
On May 6, a National Conference was held to fill vacant seats at National Office as well as in some regions. Delegates elected Brother Roland Schmidt as Third National Vice-President, and Brother Ryan Lum as the National Union Representative for External Organizing. I’m confident the membership will be well served by these two Brothers and look forward to what we can achieve together. Numerous regional elections were also held that day and I’d like to congratulate the newly elected representatives and wish them the best in their new roles. I’d also like to thank all the nominees who stepped up and showed their commitment and dedication to the Union.
Last week, Canada Post named the new parcel sorting facility in Scarborough after Albert Jackson, the country’s first Black letter carrier. The National Human Rights Committee and CUPW have worked hard to share his story far and wide. The naming of this new facility in his honour is another way to ensure the generations to come remember Albert Jackson and his contribution to the Black Community and the entire country.
The skyrocketing increase in gas prices has placed an unfair burden on RSMCs, some of our PSBU couriers, and anyone who must use their own vehicle to do their job. On May 18, I wrote to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland requesting an increase in the tax-exempt allowances paid by employers to employees who use their personal vehicle for business purposes. The current rates established in December 2021 are totally inadequate. I also wrote to CPC President Doug Ettinger requesting that representatives of CUPW and CPC meet to address the issue of inadequate mileage compensation and examine various possible solutions that CUPW has developed.
We were all concerned when the Privy Council Office released poll results in January about the future of the post office because it insinuated, wrongly, that taxpayers fund Canada Post. It also focused on reducing services at the post office when CUPW’s own recent polling tell us that people want more services, not less.
When myself and some Delivering Community Power coordinators met with Minister Filomena Tassi in late March, we expressed our disappointment and dissatisfaction with the PCO polling.
During this meeting, the Minister confirmed an upcoming review of the Postal Service Charter. The importance of this process for postal workers cannot be underestimated.
We will have to develop very strong, detailed arguments in favour of our positions concerning expansion of services, preserving existing services, financial issues, delivery frequency, service standards, modes of delivery, and rural services.
We will also need members and allies to show their support for our positions by sending letters, submitting briefs, and organizing public events in favour of CUPW’s vision for the postal service – Delivering Community Power.
Since its launch in 2016, the ideas and vision of Delivering Community Power continue to gain followers and supporters. Our plans to tackle climate change, deliver services to communities and protect and create good, unionized jobs is a vision that people can stand behind. Our efforts to create the post office of the 21st century have already led to some changes at Canada Post.
Community hubs are an important component of Delivering Community Power. They are a reconfiguration of a Canada Post location which includes additional services to meet the needs of local communities. Two community hubs have recently opened in Indigenous communities in Alberta and Nova Scotia bringing an array of services including parcel lockers, EV charging, and the new financial services including an ATM, cheque cashing and the new MyMoney Loan product.
Momentum is on our side. The time for change is now, and it’s only by working together, mobilizing the work floors, uniting our membership, and building up our power that we will win.
We are 60,000 strong and together we are unstoppable.