WINTER 2007/2008 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

The Regina MSC operation will undergo its first restructure since the introduction of the parcel model in October 2005. The exercise began in mid-November with the timing samplings of commercial pick-ups. Development of new parcel delivery rates will begin in late April 2008. The current parcel rates were developed prior to the current route structure being put in place. This meant that the conditions in which the testing took place were much different than the real day to day delivery experience by an MSC on an actual route. Therefore, the expectation is for more accurate delivery rates. The implementation is tentatively for September 2008.

Article 51 and Article 52 includes a system for annually adjusting relief staff levels in Group 2. There is a fixed 12 month period where the rate of absences is tracked, running each September to the end of August. This will increase or reduce the number of relief positions based on the rate by absences in the 12 month period by non-relief employees. For 2008 the Regina relief staff compliment will grow by three in letter carriers and by two in the MSC function. This brings the full-time letter carrier relief in the city to 39 and the full time MSC relief to six.

The hiring of two RSMC relief employees in Regina is a step forward. While not a total solution, the hiring has enabled the establishment of vacation schedules for RSMC members. Negotiations for further improvements to the RSMC collective agreement are underway. Support for the negotiators in Ottawa is always essential in the struggle to achieve the member’s demands for fairness and progress.

Every three years the CUPW holds its national convention to debate changes to the national constitutional through resolutions, develop its action plan for the future, and elect leadership at the national and regional levels. The next convention will take place in April 2008 in Ottawa. The Regina Local’s entitlement is for four delegates. Our delegates were elected at the December 2 general meeting. Those elected are Keith Jeworski, Mary Lou Woodfield, Terry Zahorski and Bill Johnson. Terry Zahorski, along with Doris Salmaso from the Medicine Hat Local, was elected by pre-convention conference delegates to represent the Prairie Region on the Polices and General Resolutions Committee.

The new seniority lists are now out and the next wage increase of 56 cents per hour is set for February 1, 2008.

In Solidarity,

Keith Jeworski
President
Regina Local