CANADIAN UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS

A majority of members work for Canada Post as rural and suburban mail carriers, letter carriers, mail service couriers, postal clerks, mail handlers, mail despatchers, technicians, mechanics, electricians and electronic technicians. But CUPW represents more than post office workers. We also represent cleaners, couriers, drivers, vehicle mechanics, warehouse workers, mail house workers, emergency medical dispatchers, bicycle couriers and other workers in more than 15 private sector bargaining units. CUPW is a democratic union. CUPW members have a say every step of the way. They elect their own representatives. They help develop priorities for contract negotiations. Members also have a right to vote on the final package of demands that is developed during negotiations and any contract that is negotiated. Our 54,000 members work in large and small communities from Twillingate, Newfoundland to Tappen, British Columbia. They also elect national and regional representatives. CUPW’s national constitution and policies are the result of decisions from conventions. CUPW negotiates an education fund. It uses this fund to educate members on a wide variety of work, union and social justice issues. CUPW negotiates with Canada Post to take control of a $2 million dollar child care fund. It uses the fund to help members who have the most trouble finding or affording good child care, such as night workers and parents of children with special needs. The Organization of Rural Route Mail Couriers (ORRMC) is formed. The ORRMC wants basic bargaining rights, not just better contracts that can be changed at the whim of the government or Canada Post. CUPW agrees to help the ORRMC. CUPW signs up rural and suburban mail carriers as members and negotiates the contracting in of carriers. As unionized workers, they have basic rights and a contract that provides clear rules and improved wages.