Sisters and Brothers:

On June 17-19 2009, CUPW national hosted an International Modern Post Conference. This was the first conference of its kind. The conference brought together front line postal workers from Belgium, France, Norway, Australia, Britain, Korea, and the United States. Each of the representatives spoke about the effects of large-scale technological change on their workforce. Each of the representatives had challenges that were unique to there specific situation.  For example, the Belgian Postal Workers spoke about delivering letter mail on bicycles. Other representatives spoke about the substantial increase for time that letter carriers are now spending on the street and the projected increase in the injury rate of letter carriers as a result.  We learned and had lengthy discussions about:

·        Job loss by all groups of plant workers P04’s and P05’s alike

·        more night work, the increase in heavy work

·        less rotation of work

·        In addition, the reductions of maintenance work on the machines.

·         90% of letter mail will be sequenced

·         Flats and residential letters will be sorted to the case

·         Unaddressed ad mail will be pre- collated

·         80% of letter carrier routes will be motorized with foot routes remaining in the business core.

·          The letter carriers will be delivering large parcels, doing customer pickups and collections which is work currently being done by the MSC’s

·         MSC’s will continue to do business core parcels.

Irrespective of the unique challenges that each of the representatives spoke about one challenge appeared to be constant worldwide.  The sequencing of mail resulted in unprecedented job loss and over burdening on the remaining workers. As we are all aware, Canada Post is about to spend billions of dollars on new technology. The overall objective is to sequence the mail and replace the workforce with machines. 

 It is important to recognize that CUPW is not opposed to new technology however; we believe that new technology should aid workers and never replace workers.  As we move towards contract negotiation in 2011 it is clear that the postal transformation will to some degree be on the negotiation table. As postal workers, we must remain vigilant and keep one eye on our Union boards the other eye on the CUPW websites and an ear with our shop stewards. We will all have a role to play going forward. 

It is important to note that CUPW has been successful in stopping deregulation and privatization by lobbying the government along with community groups.  Other Postal Unions worldwide have also done similar campaigns; we are one of the most successful Unions in taking on this fight.  We along with our workers support believe that we will also be successful in negotiating with the boss when the new machines are installed to ensure that the health and safety of our workers are maintained. 

On behalf of the Toronto Local, we would like to thank Brother Lemelin, the NEB and everyone who worked so hard to put the conference together.

In Solidarity,

Jane Marsh                                               Mark Brown                                      Stacey Mills

Toronto Local                                           Toronto Local                                   Toronto Local