Meet your 2023-2024 RSMC Bargaining Committee

For the 2023 – 2024 round of negotiations, the National Executive Board has appointed the Rural and Suburban Mail Carrier (RSMC) Negotiation Committee. Four members will be joining Lead Negotiator, Brother François Senneville.

Barb McMillan

Barb began her career at Canada Post in 1999.

This will be Barb’s fourth time on the RSMC Negotiation Committee. She is very knowledgeable about all aspects of RSMC work, but specializes in working with the Route Management System (RMS) and has been working on the compensation model since the beginning. Barb is currently a member of the Hourly Rate Committee. She also gained solid experience as a member of the Workload Committee. Barb played her role in history, helping to win a landmark pay equity case for RSMCs.

She is now in her second term as National Union Representative for the Grievance Department, but is currently assigned to the Hourly Rate Committee. Barb has participated in National Arbitrations including: investigations, evidence/documentation, organization, prepping witnesses, testifying.

Barb is a past president of the Arnprior-Renfrew Local, Central Region. She has facilitated many courses, including the RSMC collective agreement, the Basic Shop Steward course and the Basic Health & Safety course. Barb, who is a good researcher, always comes prepared and is very determined, will be a great asset to the committee.

Nancy Beauchamp

Nancy joined Canada Post in 1995.

Nancy is a veteran negotiator. This appointment marks the 6^th time she has been appointed to the role, twice as lead.

She participated in organizing RSMCs and bringing them into CUPW in 2002. Later, she was part of the historic pay equity process which resulted in a half a billion-dollar settlement for RSMCs. In 2004, for the first time, she ran for office and was elected Vice-President of the Hautes Laurentides local. She was the first RSMC and first woman to be elected to the role of National Director for Metropolitan Montreal. She’s worked in several of CUPW’s officer roles at the local, regional and national levels.

She’s a team player, rigorous and not afraid of working long hours – all of which will be essential at the negotiating table.

Gislain Gagné

Gislain was there for the inception of the RSMC Unit, as he became a contractor in 2002. President of the Bois-Francs Local, Quebec region, since May 2015, he has participated in many CUPW activities and events, and has taken several CUPW training courses: leadership, workers’ advocate and facilitation, among others. He has also facilitated training, including for the grievance investigation course. He has attended regional conferences and chaired his regional resolution committee twice (2017 and 2023). As a result, he has extensive knowledge of the demands that will be brought to the bargaining table. This is his second round of bargaining with CUPW, and the 2017-2019 round gave him solid experience. A hard worker, Gislain is tireless, at ease with numbers and data, he will carry out the required research and analysis, and his in-depth knowledge and understanding of the collective agreement and work methods will be invaluable.

Jeffery Cook

Brother Jeffery is very excited to be joining the RSMC Negotiating Committee for the first time. He’s a past president of the Yarmouth Local in the Atlantic Region. He served on the Work Content Committee and now serves on its successor, the Hourly Rate Committee. He has been working with his Local Executive Committee since 2009 and has been with Canada Post for 16 years.

He’s proud of being an RSMC and will be a strong voice for the Atlantic Region at the negotiating table. As well as the knowledge gained on the Hourly Rate Committee, he’ll bring thoroughness and self-reliance to his work. 

Congratulations to Barb, Nancy, Gislain and Jeffery!

The RSMC Negotiation Committee comes with diverse experience and commitment. We know they will represent CUPW well and that they have the support of the membership in carrying out their duties as negotiators.

The Program of Demands is on its way. Look out for it.  More news will be coming soon on negotiations.

In Solidarity!