Welcome to the official web site of the Toronto Local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. We are the Toronto Local representative of CUPW, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

We hope this site will become a place where our members can keep up to date on the latest news and events involving the Toronto Local CUPW.

For our members there is a News/Bulletin section to keep you informed of latest news, and a Secretary-Treasurer's Report section that will keep you informed of important meeting schedules and events, including matters concerning your union and other services and information available to you. If you have any questions or general inquiries, feel free to Contact Us and one of our officers will be more than happy to assist you.

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Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The inaugural Shop Stewards meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2013 starting at 9:00 A.M.

This is an unpaid meeting, lunch will be provided.

If you have any questions including your status as a Shop Steward please see your Chief Steward. Thank you for your attention regarding the above mentioned, and hope to see you at the meeting.

In solidarity,

Doug Jones

Secretary-Treasurer

April 25, 2013

Downsizing and Closures

   Retail Offices

Dear Sisters and Brothers: 

Your Local Union over the past several months have been attending consultations with the employer on downsizing of the retail wickets and the closure of Retail Post Offices.  As a result the employer has closed Etobicoke D , Loblaw’s/Kiosk, and downsized Toronto Station P, The Bank Towers, 145 The West Mall and many more. 

At each consultation your Union is informed that the Corporation is losing money and volumes are down.  However, they are not telling the complete truth to the Union or its members.  As an example Loblaw’s/Kiosk has received an award for Best Medium Outlet and has made a profit and the trend in sales have increased since the lockout. 

In the Toronto Star Newspaper dated April 18, 2013 it has been reported that CPC has made a profit and parcels have increased for 2012. 

CPC turned a profit but didn’t give workers the Corporate Team Incentive; however the “experts” (supervisors) received a bonus on our backs.  Instead of reinvesting in the public service the Public received cutbacks to services.  Shame on Canada Post. 

The National Union has launched a campaign to save the Retail Counters further details will follow. 

The membership should get involved in this campaign as these are our jobs to protect.  You will be notified in a bulletin soon on what actions you can take.

In Solidarity 

Joanne Leader                                 John Slattery                           Darryl Ellis

2^nd Vice President                            4^th Vice President                     President

April 19, 2013

IMPORTANT UPDATE 

Union Dues 

If you work in the “Toronto Local” area you should be paying $ 74.37 in Union Dues each month. If you believe you are a member of the Toronto Local and you are not sure compare your pay stub with your co-workers. If you are paying more, then contact your Shop Steward or call the Union Hall. 

Dues Waiver 

The National Constitution allows for the waiver of dues when you are off work if approved as per Article 1.19. You must be a signed up member in order to be eligible. Also, membership is a condition of employment (4.07 of the Collective Agreement) upon becoming a member a waiver is not retroactive. 

Address Change 

Once again we are getting a lot of “return to sender” mail. When you change your address it is your responsibility to inform the Union Hall of that change. By changing your address at work, we do not get that information. It is important that the Union has your current address even if you are retired to ensure that if there is a settlement of any Grievances, we have a means of contacting you. 

Trusting the above information is helpful, I remain. 

In Solidarity 

Doug Jones                                                                                                                    

Treasurer-Treasurer                                                                                                               

April 24, 2013

Dear Sisters and Brothers: 

I realize all the frustration that members are going through attempting to get their Record of Employment, Sun Life Packages and general information pertaining to Disability. 

I have forwarded my complaints to Sister Cathy Kavadas, Regional Grievance Officer, who in turn, is forwarding my issues to National. 

I am outraged how our members are being treated in particular, getting access to Sun Life packages and E.I. sick benefits. 

I assure you that I am dealing with this and hopefully we will have some answers on these issues within the next two weeks. Please watch the bulletin boards for further updates. 

In Solidarity,

John Slattery,

4^th Vice-President,

CUPW Toronto Local.  

JAN 15,2013

INJURED ON DUTY

AND

APPLYING FOR W.S.I.B.

Dear Sisters and Brothers: 

Those of you who are applying for W.S.I.B. because of an injury at work; you should consider that you might be turned down regardless of what rationale they may have. 

If this occurs, you must understand that Sunlife does have time limits to deal with.  The time limit is ninety (90) days, from the date of injury.  However, you should consider that you have to obtain the forms first.  You must go to your supervisor and request them which will trigger the start of the Sunlife process.  You will then receive the Sunlife package from Human Resources in the mail. 

As doctors appointments especially specialists take a long time to get I strongly recommend that you apply for Sunlife just after applying the W.S.I.B. benefits. 

If you are not prompt with the application it may be prejudiced due to time limit constraints.  

If you have any questions on this or regarding other benefits I can be reached at (416) 241-7901. 

In solidarity, 

JOHN SLATTERY                                                                                               4^th Vice-President                                                                                        (Benefits Officer)                                                                                        C.U.P.W. Toronto Local 

July 19/12 (By request)

SUNLIFE PREMIUMS

Are you paying them?

DID YOU OPT OUT?

Dear Sisters and Brothers: 

Back in the nineties, a lot of workers decided to opt out of the Sunlife insurance as they did not want to pay the premiums. 

However, as our work force is aging, I strongly suggest that you re-consider this decision.  In order to find out your status you must call/email pay roll as soon as possible. 

If you have not paid your premiums and become ill, you cannot go back to pay them retroactively.  You will not qualify as the premiums must be paid prior to any illness. 

I urge all members to reconsider their options if they did decide to opt out previously. 

If you have any questions on this or other benefits matters, please call me at (416) 241-7901. 

In solidarity, 

JOHN SLATTERY                                                                     4^th Vice-President                                                          (Benefits Officer)                                                           C.U.P.W. Toronto Local 

July 19/12

THREE HOUR LEAVE FOR

MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS

Dear Sisters and Brothers: 

As per article 33.10 of the collective agreement you are entitled to 3 hours off if the assessment is requested by management. 

If you are required to provide an FAE for Canada Post or Great West Life you are entitled to the three hours. 

You are not entitled if you are asking for a modification of your duties and thus getting a new assessment done.  This you will have to pay for out of your own pocket. 

Do not let management deny you the leave if they are the ones who requested the new assessment/FAE. 

If you have any questions on this or other benefits please call me at (416) 241-7901.   

In solidarity, 

JOHN SLATTERY

4^th Vice-President

(Benefits Officer)

C.U.P.W. Toronto Local 

MAY 24/12

BEFORE YOU GO TO THE DENTIST

Dear Sisters and Brothers: 

You must ensure that the procedure you are about to undertake at the dentist’s office is covered under our plan.  

If you go ahead with the procedure without it being PRE-APPROVED – you might wind up paying for it.  

This applies to things like any type of replacements, porcelains, etc.  

So, before you go, be in the know.  Put in your claim for the pre-approval at Great West Life before the procedure. 

It has happened that some of our sisters and brothers wind up paying for the procedure out of their own pocket. 

If you need further information regarding this or other benefits placed contact me at (416) 241-7901. 

In solidarity, 

JOHN SLATTERY

4^th Vice-President

(Benefits Officer)

C.U.P.W. Toronto Local 

MAY 24/12

BEFORE YOU GO ON VACATION

Dear Sisters and Brothers

Just a few reminders of things to do before you go on annual leave.

1.    Ensure that your life insurance with Canada Post has the proper name listed as your beneficiary. They can be reached through the benefits office at 1-877-807-9090.

2.    Ensure that your insurance with C.U.P.W. has the proper name listed as your beneficiary. This can be done by contacting Coughlin Insurance at 1-800-668-9819. They in turn, will send you the necessary forms. It is done this way for privacy issues. Also, on this issue, ensure that you are a member in good standing, as you will not qualify if you are not. You can inquire about your status at the Union Hall at 416-241-9294.

3.    Ensure that your pension is properly designated via the Designated Beneficiary form. This can be obtained by calling 1-877-480-9220.

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday. If you have any questions on this or any other benefits please do not hesitate to contact me at (416) 241-7901.

In Solidarity

John Slattery 

4^th Vice President (Benefits Officer)

Nov 16,  2011

SUN LIFE BENEFITS

REPEATED BY REQUEST F.Y.I.

Just a reminder that if you are anticipating any upcoming surgery that will require you to need time off; here are a few things to keep in mind. 

1)  You must exhaust all your CURRENT/EXISTING sick leave benefits.

2)  You do not have to borrow sick leave.

3)  Ensure that you get your Sunlife Benefits package prior to your hospital visit/surgery so that your recovery will not be hampered by trying to cut through the red tape to start your Sunlife Benefits. 

The package can be obtained through Human Resources at 1-877-807-9090. 

It seems the only benefit to the cuts in the health care system is that surgeries are now scheduled well in advance. Workers can now ensure their benefits are in place prior to the surgery. 

I trust this information is helpful. If you are indeed scheduled for surgry or have some other illness that will keep you off work for an extended period, I wish you a speedy recovery with your benefits already in place. 

If you have any questions on this or other benefits please call my office at (416) 241-7901.

In Solidarity,

John Slattery 

4th Vice President (Benefits Officer)

Nov 24/11                                                                                                                         

COPIES OF GRIEVANCES (Copy 6)

Visit Toronto Local's posting on youtube

www.youtube.com/cupwtoronto

re: Benefits 1-877-807-9090 - The lights are on nobody............

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