The National Executive Board is unanimously recommending that CUPW members vote YES to the proposed two-year renewals of Urban Operations and Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers collective agreements. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Stability in an uncertain time: No one can predict what the economic and political situation will be post-pandemic. The two-year renewal will provide job and income security during this period and permit us to prepare for the next round of bargaining beginning in 2023.
- Guaranteed pensionable wage increases: On the first day of each year of the agreements, members will receive a 2% increase in wages, activity values, and variable activities. The current cost of living allowance (COLA) formula will remain unchanged, however the dates have been updated to reflect the two-year renewal periods. In the first year, there will be a $500 one-time non-pensionable lump sum payment made to all full-time Urban employees and all RSMCs with six or more daily RMS hours. All other employees (including temporaries, PREs and OCREs) will receive $250. All payments pertaining to the hourly rates referenced in Appendix “A” will be updated and increased by 2% per year.
- Improvements in job security: For Urban workers, the dates in the job security clauses will be moved forward by more than one year. This ensures that all workers who obtained regular positions between June 1st 2020 and the date of ratification of the renewal, will be covered by full job security as of the signing of the agreement. Retraining Group 3 and 4 workers for the maintenance and routine repairs of hybrid and electric vehicles will guarantee they have the necessary skills once CPC converts to an electric fleet.