The federal government has only partially protected postal services in the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Canada took an Annex I reservation rather than a stronger Annex II reservation. An Annex II reservation would have protected existing or future non-conforming measures and allowed for future policy changes. For example, an Annex II reservation would have given the government the policy flexibility to reverse postal deregulation that is not working.
Before going over the recent developments regarding our pension plan, I would like to remind you of the principles that guide the Union in all of its discussions regarding the plan, whether with Canada Post or with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). These principles are as follows:
The Facts Contrary to what you might have read on social media and elsewhere, the Union is not in consultation with the Corporation to deal with problems, real or imagined, facing the CPC pension plan or the Corporation’s inability to meet its funding obligations. Further, the Union’s participation in the Federal Government’s consultation on Target Benefit Plans in the federal sector is only tangentially connected to our concerns over Canada Post’s plans for our Defined Benefit Plan.
In a letter dated February 17, 2014, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) wrote the following in response to our letter dated January 29th: “Canada Post has recently offered a meeting with all collective bargaining agents and with the Pension Advisory Council that will cover the topics of funding relief, financial projections for the Plan as a result of the relief, and Canada Post’s role as plan administrator.”
After weeks of phone calls, letters and meetings between CUPW, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and Canada Post, OSFI has agreed to lift the restrictions on payments of commuted values from the Canada Post Pension Plan. They have imposed new restrictions which will allow members to withdraw the commuted value of their pension, but force Canada Post to pay a deposit of 40% of each withdrawal into the Canada Post Pension Plan.
The Canada Post Pension Plan has been notified by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) that the administrator may not transfer moneys out of the pension plan or purchase immediate or deferred life annuities without the prior consent of OSFI. OSFI is the independent regulator who oversees pension plans to ensure compliance with the Pension benefits Standards Act (PBSA) and its regulations.
On November 27, 2013 the Union was notified by Canada Post management that they are once again implementing a unilateral increase in pension contributions for employees. According to the notice the employee contribution rate will increase another 0.6 per cent of pensionable earnings. This is in addition to the 0.7 per cent increase that was unilaterally implemented by CPC effective July 1, 2013.
The time has come to ensure workers have more financial security when they retire. An expanded Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP) would do just that. Small increases in contributions would effectively double CPP/QPP benefits upon retirement.
The federal government has reached an agreement with the European Union (EU) on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). A leaked document indicates that CETA only partially protects postal services. Reports to date indicate that the agreement may also: • Unfairly restrict how local governments spend money and ban “buy local” policies. • Add up to $3 billion to the price of drugs. • Increase Canada’s trade deficit with Europe, leading to significant job losses. • Undermine protections for health care and culture. • Create pressure to increase privatization of local water systems, transit and energy. • Allow European corporations to challenge our laws, policies and programs through investor-state provisions, including environmental and health measures.
Canada Post management has informed the Union that it is “prepared to meet and review all possible scenarios to resolve the matters related to the financial health of the pension plan.” As you may recall, in my bulletin dated September 19, 2013, I mentioned that in early September, we met with Canada Post and we proposed to put in place a Working Committee to address the realities of the pension plan. We made this proposal because we believe that it is essential that postal workers are entitled to a secure pension during our retirement.
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The Union asked Canada Post at two different consultation meetings this year, for a contingency plan to reduce or eliminate compressed flyers or Neighborhood Mail during the busy peak period. Canada Post provided no plan and will do little to address the Union’s concerns about the overburdening of letter carriers at this busy time of year.
As per Arbitrator Flynn’s order, the Pay Equity Consultants have submitted their reports on October 16th. Paul Durber, the CUPW consultant, has concluded that the work of an RSMC is of equal value to that of the male comparators and that RSMCs (Zone 1) receive direct wages which range from 24% less than letter carriers to 27% less than Mail Service Couriers – Heavy Vehicle. Durber also analyzed the differences that exist due to the additional benefits received by the male comparators.
OTTAWA - The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) call on the Ontario government to strengthen Bill 148, The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act. Ontario members of CUPW sent a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne raising concerns on amendments introduced after the tabling of the bill.
Please note that the deadline for applications to Labour College is very soon: October 23. The Canadian Labour Congress has launched a renewed and redesigned Labour Leadership Certificate Program. Workers from CLC-affiliated unions across the country are eligible to attend this post-secondary program, which is offered in English. (Quebec members attend le Collège FTQ-Fonds.)
Saturday October 7 is the tenth anniversary of the World Day for Decent Work. The world we fight for will be one with safe working conditions, living wages, respect for all, and one where discrimination and harassment are unacceptable. While some of us work in decent conditions, many – nearby and globally – are left out in dangerous, demeaning or unsustainable conditions. The labour movement’s work will not be complete until we improve conditions everywhere.
Now that we are preparing for our upcoming negotiations, it is more important than ever to stay informed. There are many ways that you can keep connected. You can read bulletins on the CUPW bulletin boards, sign up for local emails or text messages, attend local meetings and use the online channels below:
All members of the committee have now arrived in Ottawa and are hard at work preparing their files and researching our demands for both the RSMC and urban units. The members of the committee understand how important and difficult this round of bargaining will be and are determined and prepared to do what it takes to achieve gains for both bargaining units.
Between September 7 and 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the East and North of Cuba. It’s the first time a category 5 hurricane directly hits Cuba. With 300 km/h winds and torrential rains, the hurricane destroyed thousands of houses and public buildings, caused major flooding, severed communications, damaged roads, ruined crops and left thousands of Cubans homeless.
Health and safety issues, for RSMC at Canada Post, includes concerns over work methods that may increase the risk of injuries. This includes the case of the personal vehicle used on RSMC routes. A prime example is the potential of overload issues due to the significant increase to parcel volumes in relation to the space in our vehicles. Take a minute and think about the design and purpose of the personal vehicle that you load every day and ask yourself “Is this vehicle safe with this product loaded?”
OTTAWA - Postal workers are in Yellowknife today at Canada Post’s Annual Public Meeting, bringing a message to the directors of the crown corporation: innovate, expand, and include Northern residents’ needs in plans for the postal service’s future.