THE CUPW VOICE LOCAL 626 - Canada Post reports increased profits for 2017 - CUPW TORONTO LOCAL 626
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June 2018 No. 06
THE CUPW VOICE LOCAL 626
Official Newsletter of the Toronto Local - Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)
Canada Post reports increased profits for 2017
By Tom Godfrey everyone should want to see in a the 2013 service cuts were proven
CUPW members are applauding Crown Corporation.” wrong.
huge profits made by Canada Post He said the Canada Post pension “We’re hoping to see new direction
in 2017, which come as plan’s position also improved in
negotiations for a new contract 2017, on both the going-concern
with its workers continue. basis and the solvency basis, which
“Postal workers have always seen are two actuarial standards of
the potential for growth and evaluating a pension plan’s health.
improvement in the postal The federal government has
service,” said Mike Palecek, mandated CPC to be financially
CUPW National President. “The self-sustaining. Last January,
huge losses at Canada Post are far following on a 2016 service
behind us and it’s high time to put review, it asked CPC not to pay Mike Palecek, CUPW National President.
growth and new service ideas front dividends to the government,
and centre.” investing its surpluses instead in from the top down, with an
The Canada Post Group of Cos., as growth and adapting its services to openness to new ideas, better
it’s formally known, last month the public’s changing needs. treatment of the workers, and
reported that its profits for 2017 The union is lobbying for a return sincere hope for the future at
jumped 78%, to $114 million. The of postal banking, which they said Canada Post,” he vowed.
Canada Post segment made $74 can help keep Canada Post Canada Post was early among its
million before taxes, on revenue of sustainable, improve financial global peers to seize the potential
$6.4 billion. access for marginalized of increasing online shopping,
The company’s revenues in this era populations and provide an which it has ridden to consistent
of decreasing letter mail increased alternative to private banks. profits. CPC reports that last year
4.4%, to $8.2 billion. CUPW also anticipates new 62 million parcels were delivered,
“Our members are proud to have appointments to CPC’s Board of a 22% increase over 2016.
delivered another net surplus,” Directors to fill several current In 2017, there were also 41 days in
Palecek stressed. “These are just vacancies, with Palecek adding which more than 1 million parcels
the sort of stable, modest profits that the senior management behind were delivered.
Talks for new CUPW contract at ‘intensive stage’
Negotiations between CUPW and “We are working on building CUPW demands include
Canada Post for a new collective momentum towards achieving a maximizing full-time positions in
agreement has reached an intensive negotiated collective agreement,” Group 1, the creation of a new
stage with talks this month moving according to a CUPW update by Heavy Duty Truck Mechanics
to an offsite location in Ottawa to Sylvain Lapointe, Chief Negotiator classification so vehicle repairs can
allow for more crucial discussions. for the Urban Unit, and Nancy be done by members, and access to
Parties can now meet several times Beauchamp, Chief Negotiator, information needed to enforce the
daily with the help of a mediator RSMC bargaining unit. collective agreement.
from the Federal Mediation and “We have not reached any Canada Post’s demands include a
Conciliation Services, who’s been agreements so far but we are restructuring process for RSMCs
assigned to keep the talks moving. continuing to push hard to achieve and new footwear requirements for
A news blackout on the talks is in our demands.” both letter carriers and RSMCs.
effect.
Darren thanks CUPW supporters who stood by him
Well-known CUPW activist operation seven months ago and past police lines to get closer to
Darren Steinhoff is smiling and has has improved so much that his world leaders of G8 countries
a bounce in his step as he prepares daily pill intake has decreased gathering for a high-security
for hiking after successfully from 20 to six. Economic Summit in Kananaskis,
undergoing a major double lung He still requires regular check-ups Alberta.
transplant operation. with specialists at the Vancouver The Calgary Sun dubbed him the
The B.C. labour leader was here General Hospital Transplant $400 Million Man,” since that
from Castlegar, B.C., visiting Clinic. much was spent by the government
members of the Toronto Local and “I am thankful to be here breathing on security.
to attend the wedding of a daughter today and to be still living,”
of a long-time postie friend. Steinhoff says. “This has given me
“It is great to be alive and I want to a new outlook on life.”
thank all my CUPW friends and Steinhoff shows photos of bears,
those who supported me from mountain goats, wild turkeys and
coast-to-coast,” Steinhoff says. “I other animals that regularly stroll
am very thankful and grateful to through his Castlegar property.
everyone who reached out.” He has been a CUPW activist for
An executive with the CUPW more than 30-years and has
Columbia River Local, Steinhoff inspired many in the labour
was diagnosed with “End Stage” movement.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary “I have known Darren for a long A jubilant and healthy CUPW
Disease for which there is no cure. time and I would want him to be Brother Darren Steinhoff (middle)
At one time his lungs were on my side going into battle,” with Toronto Local 4th V-P Jane
functioning at 15%, and that has insists Jane Marsh, of the Toronto Marsh and Secretary-Treasurer
greatly improved following the Local. Abdi Hagi Yusuf during a courtesy
surgery. Steinhoff gained notoriety after visit to the Local office. A grateful
Steinhoff thanked CUPW members
The Winnipeg native underwent being the only person arrested by for their support during his difficult
the crucial double-transplant police in 2002 while trying to get times.
In solidarity with our LGBTTQ members
CUPW members nationwide are Homophobia, Transphobia and This summer, postal workers will
standing in solidarity with our Biphobia. be taking part in many Pride events
LGBTTQ brothers and sisters, who “We have a strong tradition of across the country to support their
are struggling to achieve equal standing up, for and with, our co-workers, friends, family,
rights and dignity. LGBTTQ members in their fight neighbours and communities.
Members showed their support for for equality,” said Jan Simpson, “We're proud of our LGBTTQ
the International Day Against CUPW’s 1st National Vice- sisters and brothers,” she said.
Homophobia, Transphobia and President. “We have negotiated “CUPW has been visible and
Biphobia, which has been clauses in our collective audible at Pride marches and
celebrated on May 17 annually agreements prohibiting festivals for years so let’s keep the
since 2004. discrimination by reason of sexual tradition alive!”
The date was chosen to orientation, gender expression and Toronto Pride Month runs from
commemorate the World Health gender identity.” June 1 to 24.
Organization’s decision in 1990 to Simpson said the day draws It is one of the largest Pride
declassify homosexuality as a attention to the continued celebrations in the world and
mental disorder. Today, over 130 discrimination and prejudice faced attracts more than 1 million people
countries recognize May 17 as the by Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual- yearly. This year the Pride Parade
International Day Against Transsexual-Transgender-Queer is on June 24.
(LGBTTQ) people.
Focus on Posties
Complaints against Bully Bosses under review
CUPW officials say hundreds of Palacek urged members to continue to
complaints of harassment or bullying file complaints against their
from members against some supervisors if they believe they are
supervisors at Canada Post are under being harassed, bullied or their rights
review by the union or the Crown potentially violated.
corporation. There has been many verbal
National President Mike Palacek said complaints on the shop floor from
a number of complaints were turned members from coast-to-coast who
over to the Office of Interim CEO claim they are being intimidated or
Jessica McDonald, who had expressed harassed by some Canada Post
an interest in a review. supervisors.
Q &A Corner “We were flooded with complaints The union has established a much-
Q: What’s your favourite
from members across the country,” needed Bully Bosses hotline, where
season?
A: Summer! Absolutely. Palacek said. “The results have been claims by members of bullying can be
The sun, barbecues … overwhelming.” investigated. You can reach the
getting together with friend. The issue was brought to the front- hotline by email at jlouisseize@cupw-
Fall’s okay but summer’s burner by Prime Minister Justin sttp.org. Complaints can also be sent
the best! Trudeau, who told Posties in by mail to Bully Bosses, 377 Bank St.,
- Kim Santos Rodriguez, Winnipeg that he was seriously Ottawa, Ont., K2P 1Y3.
PO4, Shift 3, Parcels, troubled by the harassment and
Gateway East. bullying allegations at Canada Post
and promised to look into the matter. It’s your Voice
The CUPW Voice is published
monthly by the Toronto Local
Truck driver Nur loved hauling the mail to keep our members informed
Friends and Canada Post “He was a real genuine and of the latest concerns and issues
colleagues are mourning the honest guy who will be greatly affecting them. The CUPW
sudden loss last month of Nur missed,” said Justin Carr, a Voice Advisory Committee is
Nuru, a CPC five-ton truck driver supervisor at West made up of Layout Artist Greg
who was based at West Transportation. “You will be MacDonald, Union activist
Transportation. hard-pressed to find anyone who Mark Brown, Secretary
The young and active former letter didn’t like Nur.” Treasurer Abdi Hagi Yusuf and
carrier was well-liked and is The native of Eritrea, who had Editor Tom Godfrey.
greatly missed by many of his been working at Canada Post We are always looking for new
brothers and sisters. since 2016, enjoyed transporting members to help with the
the mail from Gateway to publication.
stations in Etobicoke, Richmond You can send Tom an e-mail
Hill, Beaver Creek and other with news items or tips to
areas. tgodfrey@rogers.com.
Friends said Nuru loved the job The Canadian Union of Postal
and always looked forward to Workers (CUPW) has more
coming to work. He leaves than 50,000 members
behind a brother and sister in the nationwide, with Toronto being
Toronto area, whom he was home of its largest local.
helping to support.
Co-workers said Nur was leaves behind many friends and
suffering from health issues, admirers.
which may have led to his sudden “He was a great guy,” another co-
and quick passing. He was 36. He worker said. “We miss him
terribly.”
CUPW growing stronger as new members join the ranks The CUPW Toronto Local is workers, who they will help unionized workers to tell them growing and getting stronger as the organize in non-unionized shops. about their rights in the workplace union welcomes some new non- “We are organizing and we are and how to form a union. postal members into its expanding growing in the struggle for better The coalition brings together fold. working conditions for all,” labour and community CUPW officials are congratulating Schofield said. “We are postal and organizations concerned about staff representatives of CUPE beyond.” temporary, part-time, casual or Local 1281 and their CUPW is one of the largest unions contract jobs that are unstable and administration for joining the ranks in Canada representing more than unsafe in Peel region. of Toronto Local 626, said Lisa 50,000 workers in postal, delivery, Since 2006, temporary and Scholfield, a CUPW national logistics, transportation, contract work has increased in Peel organizer. communication, and other region by 81.3%, according to the CUPE Local 1281 was founded in services; now including printing, coalition, which cites Brampton as 1974 by the employees of the as mechanics, couriers and having the highest rates of Ryerson Students’ Union. The emergency care dispatchers. workplace health and safety Local is known for organising “CUPW is a union with a strong violations in Ontario. small non-profit and social justice militant and progressive history “Workers are being injured on the workplaces. and people in the community job more in Brampton than “CUPW believes all workers respect CUPW,” Scholfield said. anywhere else in Ontario,” labour deserve a union,” Schofield said. “As we see the growth of officials said. “This group of workers are precarious work in our If you have family, friends, or progressive and committed trade communities, it is vital that CUPW neighbours who want to form a unionists and we are honoured to organize and fight for the rights of union in their workplace contact have them as members.” all workers.” CUPW national organizers at She said CUPW has gone beyond The union is part of a new www.cupw.ca/en/join- postal workers and is being sought Coalition for Fair Work Peel, cupw. for representation by other whose members meet with non- CUPW officials accept letters from students of a racial discrimination to become the Toronto school that will be presented to Prime city’s first Black letter carrier in 1882, Minister Justin Trudeau calling for Toronto's first was unveiled last July. In the photo Black postie, Albert Jackson, (right inset) to be from left: Itah Sadu, CUPW official commemorated on a stamp for next year's Black Mark Brown, CUPW Toronto History Month. A Heritage Toronto plaque celebrating President Megan Whitfield, Kathy Grant, CUPW 1st the life of Jackson, an escaped slave who overcame National V-P Jan Simpson and Liberty Hacala.
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