I am so happy to tell you my news: When our son Basti was 3 years and 10 months old, he received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Global Developmental Delay (GDD). The beginning years presented major obstacles.
We wanted to hear from members about their health benefits and other supports for families with children with disabilities. We wanted to know if the health benefits and other supports were in fact working for members and their families.
CUPW is the only union in North America to have bargained a Fund to support its members with their child care needs. It all began in the early 1980s when women postal workers demanded that their Union do something about their need for child care. In response CUPW began to raise the issue with Canada Post and in 1991 bargained the CUPW Child Care Fund (Fund).
I am so happy to tell you my news: As some of you know, Jordan my son has cerebral palsy and is visually impaired. When Jordan was 13 years old, he had to have 8 surgeries in 1 day. Rehab was 85 days in Bloorview, Toronto. I took a leave without pay for 3 months to drive back and forth to be with Jordan while he recuperates, Brian my husband would come on weekends.
We are very thankful to the Special Needs Project. It has been a great support for my daughter’s growth. She was three years old when she was diagnosed with severe autism spectrum disorder and a severe speech and communication disability. This diagnosis came with so many things which we never knew or noticed before.
We have heard many stories about the challenges members face in dealing with anxiety and depression. The challenges could be in supporting anxiety related to their own needs or those close to them, or, the anxiety their child faces related to their diagnosis.
This newsletter is focused on mental health and mental illness. Everyone struggles with their mental health at some point in time. I know I have. The resources listed here only touch the surface of the supports available. I hope there is something here that is helpful for you.
This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Special Needs Project. This is covered under Appendix L in our collective agreement. Appendix L was hard fought for and has helped many postal workers who have children with different abilities. Over 1800 members and their families have benefited from this. I do not believe any other union in Canada has such comprehensive benefits as we have.
Special Needs Project: Celebrating 20 Years! Back in 2005 our family found out about the Special Needs Project. Having almost 3 year old triplets at the time, each of them having a different diagnosis, the Special Needs Project gave us a sense of relief when it came to some of the extra cost encountered with each of their needs. Now almost 11 years later the children are excelling each at their own pace thanks to the “extras” that we can do with our children and with the funding that we receive from the project.
Support Postal Banking - Download and Sign the Petition
Canada needs a postal bank. Thousands of rural towns and villages in our country do not have a bank, but many of them have a post office that could provide financial services. As well, nearly two million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders. A postal bank could be that alternative. Download and sign the petition urging the Government of Canada to instruct Canada Post to add postal banking, with a mandate for financial inclusion.
The Federal mediators advised us that Canada Post has cancelled today’s (August 25) planned meeting. The Corporation says it needs more time to review our latest global offers. We are expecting to receive more questions from Canada Post about our offers through the Federal mediators.
Yesterday, August 20, CUPW’s Negotiating Committees returned to the bargaining table to present comprehensive global offers for both the RSMC and Urban bargaining units.
While we had planned to meet again tomorrow, Canada Post has told us today that it needs more time to review our offers.
Tomorrow, August 20, your Negotiating Committee will return to the bargaining table to present new global offers for both postal bargaining units to Canada Post.
Unfortunately, our scheduled meetings for Friday, August 15th and Monday, August 18th, have been postponed. The Federal mediators will not be able to assist CUPW and CPC due to their current involvement in the Air Canada negotiations.
This September, CUPW joins its Malayali brothers and sisters with joy and pride to observe Onam celebrations in Canada. Onam is one of the most significant regional festivals celebrated in Kerala, the southernmost state of India.