South Burnaby Restructure
Following a number of consultations consultation,
Canada Post has provided the Union with a general overview of how South
Burnaby Letter Carrier Restructure will be affected by the
implementation of the Vancouver Parcel Project.
It is hoped that this bulletin will be helpful in
informing South Burnaby employees of the changes that are in store for
the future. Please note that Canada Post’s plans may change with
little notice, so it is possible that there may be further developments
throughout the course of the restructuring process.
A two-week volume count is scheduled to commence on
March 7, 2005. The restructuring process is scheduled to commence on
April 4th, and the restructure is scheduled for implementation on August
15, 2005.
Vancouver Parcel Project
The implementation of the South Burnaby restructure
will coincide with the implementation of the Vancouver Parcel Project.
Under Appendix S of the 2003 collective agreement, the parcel delivery
that was previously contracted out to Combined Urban Services (see “Dolphin
Delivery”) must be returned to the CUPW bargaining unit by the
fall of 2005. Notwithstanding that target date, Canada Post has set
August 15, 2005 as the implementation date for the Parcel Project.
The return of our parcel work represents a
significant gain, and will help in ensuring our future job security.
However, the return of the parcel work will result in dramatic changes
to Vancouver’s parcel operations. As of August 15th,
Vancouver’s parcel operations will be based out of the parcel
“hubs” located at either the Vancouver Mail Processing Plant (VMPP)
or the Vancouver Parcel Distribution Center (VPDC). The new parcel
system will be set up so that Mail Service Couriers (MSC) will report to
one of the two “hubs”
While South Burnaby’s MSCs will be reassigned to
one of the two “hubs”, South Burnaby Letter Carriers will not be hit
as hard as certain other stations by the implementation of the Parcel
Project. Canada Post has advised that Motorized Letter Carriers (MLCs)
will deliver all parcels within V5H boundaries, while MLCs in V5J will
deliver parcels for their own routes. MSCs will deliver the remaining
parcels for South Burnaby.
New Time Value
s
Following years of technical studies, the parties at
the National level have recently agreed to introduce certain time values
to the Letter Carrier Route Measurement System (LCRMS) and the Mail
Service Courier Work Measurement System (MSCWSS). As a result, the South
Burnaby restructure will be affected by several new time values. There
will be an improved time value for Relay box clearances and Street
Letter Box (SLB) clearances. In addition, an interim time value for
mailmobile stops will be implemented at .65 minutes per stop. Further,
interim time values for DRS items (redirect mail) will be applied to
each individual South Burnaby route.
Transportation
Canada Post has advised that
South Burnaby routes will be “portal to portal”, which simply means
that all letter carriers will be provided with the appropriate time
values to return to the facility following the completion of their
shifts. Excluding those routes that will use corporate vehicles as a
means of transportation, employees will be transported to and from their
routes by taxis. Canada Post has advised that it will likely structure
routes so that no more than two employees will share a taxi ride per
trip.
More than ever, Canada Post will
try to market the private vehicle option as an alternative mode of
transportation. However, please take care to review the ramifications of
that option. Once the incumbent of a PV route, an employee will not be
able to use his/her seniority to bid on another route unless he/she
changes classification or transfers outside the local. In
addition, the parties are now heading for arbitration on the issue of
whether an employee may change his/her mind and opt for PV
transportation after the study has been completed. For more information
on private vehicles, please see your shop steward or feel free to call
our office.
Off Site Lunch Facilities
In keeping with its current restructuring trend,
management will structure certain routes to use off site lunch
facilities. As a result, the affected routes will be assessed greater
workloads because of the reduction in travel time. Off site lunch
facilities will only apply to routes that are structured for conveyance
by corporate vehicles, and will not apply to routes that are structured
with other modes of transportation. Along with a CUPW observer, CPC
route measurement officers will be reviewing various possible off site
locations as a part of the restructuring process. Any potential site
must offer proper eating and restroom facilities. Employees who wish to
eat their lunch at off site lunch facilities will be able to do so
without being required to eat Big Macs, Whoppers, or Chicken
McNuggets. Employees who are structured to use off sites will be
provided with a beverage allowance. Management has yet to advise where
Letter Carriers may hang their wet socks to dry.
Relay
Bag Delivery
Management has advised that Mobile Letter Carriers
drivers will deliver relay bags for South Burnaby Letter Carriers.
However, management also advised that each mobile route might be
structured to deliver relay bags for up to three (3) foot routes. The
Union opposed that approach, because it is frequently difficult for MLCs
and their “buddies” to coordinate the delivery of their relay bags
in time for departure. In response, management advised that it is
looking at a “first” and “second” relay run so that the
inevitable delays that result at departure time may be avoided.
Plan A Restructure
The South Burnaby restructure will include a two-week
volume count. While volume counts may not be among the most pleasurable
of life’s experiences, it is important to take the time to ensure that
you are credited for every single piece of mail that you handle while
preparing your route for delivery. Keep in mind that the data that is
generated from volume counts is used as the basis for assessing your
future inside workload. As in the past, there are a few things that can
be done to maximize our time values:
Vacancies - It is extremely important to declare all vacant
points of call. After establishing the average daily volume for each
individual route, Canada Post will calculate the sortation and
preparation rates based on the number of points of call in delivery.
Inside time values will be considerably higher if you reduce the number
of points of call by declaring your vacancies. Later, when a vacancy
comes into delivery, it can be added to your route. Please take the time
to declare your vacancies!
“Kills” - Ensure that you have properly endorsed your kills.
RTS items that are “Moved/unknown” require a simple slash across the
address. “Others” (unclaimed, Address Incomplete, Refused etc)
require a written endorsement. Please take the time to properly endorse
each type of “kill”, as there is a significant difference in time
values between the two.
Missorts – Please do not return your missorts to the inside
clerk until they have been counted.
Weighing – Please do not take your mail out of the station
until it has been counted and weighed. Remember to include your
Personal Contact Items, A/Os, and carry-out portions - the weight of
your mail generates a large time value.
Route Inventories
Route inventories are frequently incomplete or
inaccurate because of changes that have taken place on a given route.
Please ensure that you are being proper credit for each point of call on
your route. There is a route measurement package for each South Burnaby
route, and there is a 038 form for each block included on your route.
038s contain the time values allocated for traveling distance, as well
as other physical aspects of your route such as doors, steps, panel
boxes, receptacles, and gates. These documents are available for your
review, and even a cursory examination of your 038s will assist in
confirming whether or not your route has been properly assessed. If your
sortation case has altered or handwritten case strips, please review
your 038s because those alterations may have been made as a result of
changes to the number of points of call.
Bidding
Upon implementation, MSCs will be assigned to one of
the two parcel “hubs”. However, there have not yet been any
discussions with regard to the staffing of MSC assignments. That
information will be provided after Canada Post starts structuring the
new MSC “loops”. At the time of this writing, Canada Post is still
in the process of compiling the various data that is needed in order to
structure the MSC “loops”.
In accordance with the 2003 collective agreement, all
Letter Carrier assignments (with the exception of PPD positions) will
open for bidding by classification to South Burnaby Letter Carriers by
seniority. This means that Relief Letter Carriers will be able to bid on
routes, and visa versa. Further, all long-term absences will be
reoffered for long-term coverage by seniority.
The March 7, 2005 “freeze date” will apply unless there is a
loss of positions.
Union Representation
While Canada Post route measurement officers
restructure letter carrier routes, the Union has certain rights in terms
of our participation in the restructuring process. Under the terms of
the collective agreement, the Union has the right to designate an
observer for each restructuring exercise. The role of the observer is to
ensure that the restructuring process is being conducted in accordance
with the work measurement system outlined in the Letter Carrier Route
Measurement System (LCRMS). The LCRMS is a comprehensive document that
has been incorporated into the collective agreement by reference.
Rob MacBeth will be involved as the observer for the
purposes of this restructure. Any concerns or questions relating to this
restructuring process should be brought to his attention, or to any of
the officers at our local office.
I hope that this bulletin has been both informative
and helpful in identifying some of the changes that will take place as a
result of this restructure. It’s going to be a busy year…
In Solidarity,
Ken Mooney
President
CUPW Vancouver
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