CAMPAIGN TO RATIFY ALL ILO CORE CONVENTIONS

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About the Swine Flu:

You have heard about the Swine Flu on the news.
According to the Public Health Agency, the cases reported in Canada and in the US were milder than those in Mexico.
All of the people reported to be affected so far in Canada and the US have recovered.

This flu has the following symptoms:

Fever
Fatigue
Lack of appetite
Coughing
Sore throat

If you develop these symptoms, do not come to work. Stay home and call your family doctor.

If you have recently been to Mexico, or have been around people who have been to Mexico and have the flu, and you get flu-like symptoms please contact your family doctor.

Wash your hands often and thoroughly and take other precautions to stop the spread of this and any other flu.

This is the best way to stop the spread of flu.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with your hands.
The Public Health Agency says surgical masks are not recommended, as there is evidence they are not effective in preventing transmission of influenza in the general public.

Please follow this link to read an excellent letter signed by several key academics, against the Public Service Equitable Compensation Act.

Additional information:

FTQ - Press Release
FTQ - Summary

The National Day of Mourning is in rememberance of workers killed or injured in the workplace, or who have suffered from work related illnesses.
Help us make our workplaces safe!

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New rates for certain statutory deductions take effect at the beginning of the new year. We want to be sure all full-time and part-time employees are well informed about how these deduction changes will affect the amount of their current paycheque for Pay Period 1 (pay date of January 8, 2009).

Employment Insurance (EI) will remain the same at 1.73% of insurable earnings for all employees except employees working in Quebec. Please note the amount of insurable earnings has increased to $42,300 from $41,100.

Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (PPIP) - For employees working in Quebec, regardless of their province of residence, the federal EI rate will decrease to 1.38% from 1.39% of insurable earnings. The provincial rate will increase to 0.484% from 0.45% of insurable earnings. Please note the provincial insurable earnings have increased to $62,000 from $60,500.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) will remain the same at 4.95% of pensionable earnings, however the maximum threshold has now increased to $46,300 from $44,900.

Canada Post Pension Plan - The percentage will decrease to 5.70% from 5.77% of pensionable earnings up to the Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) of $46,300. For employees earning more than $46,300, the percentage will decrease to 9.20% (from 9.27% in 2008).

Part-time employees are paid two weeks in arrears, and will therefore only see the Canada Post Pension Plan changes in Pay Period 2. Pay Period 1 for those employees will cover the period from December 14 to 27.

If you have any questions regarding your pay statement, we encourage you to contact the Pay Contact Centre at 1 866 920-0459 or by e-mail at: paycontactcentre@canadapost.ca.

Since Christmas Day is falling on a Thursday this year, employee paycheques will be deposited on Wednesday, December 24, one day earlier than normal.

Unfortunately, certain employees may not receive their pay statements by Wednesday, a situation attributable to several factors, including the shorter payroll processing schedule and back-to-back statutory holidays.

We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause.

Online statements received through epost are not affected by this delay. For more information about how to sign up to receive your statements, bills and other financial documents through epost, go to www.epost.ca.

Members of the Canada Post Corporation Registered Pension Plan ("the Plan") should be reassured that despite recent financial market volatility, your pension benefit is not affected. The Plan is a "defined benefit" pension plan, meaning that the pension benefit formula is based on a member's pensionable earnings and pensionable service rather than the Plan's rate of investment return. Your pension benefit is secure.

"Although stock markets in Canada and around the world have recently experienced significant volatility, large declines are typically a part of the normal business cycle. These declines have happened many times in the past and will no doubt continue to occur in the future. Although we cannot predict when market conditions will improve, members should know that the Plan's investment managers have significant experience managing investment portfolios in difficult times", said Douglas Greaves, Vice President Pension Fund and Chief Investment Officer.

Current market conditions will clearly have an impact, but the Plan operates with a long-term view and it is not unusual to have financial shortfalls in some years and surpluses in others. As a large institutional investor, the Plan has diversified its investment holdings into many asset classes and in many markets around the world. This diversification will help reduce the impact of financial market volatility.

Moya Greene, President and CEO of Canada Post commented that, "the financial risk in providing a defined benefit pension plan is borne by Canada Post. However, in these uncertain economic conditions, our ability to remain competitive so as to generate the needed earnings and cash to support the Plan is imperative."

In this regard, the Canada Post Corporation Board of Directors (the "Board") has authorized the Corporation to resume making employer current service contributions to the Plan effective November 1, 2008.

The Board and management team is committed to making sure your pension benefit will be there for you when you need it.

As many of you will have heard, Canada Post has finally heard and listened. Telephone lines will be installed in all offices, including Group Post Offices.

This initiative is complimentary to the installation of the new Retail Point of Service system (RPS). More details will be communicated to all impacted Postmasters in the coming weeks but we can already tell you that Canada Post will pay $250.00 toward the installation of a business telephone line as well as $80.00 per month to cover the telephone expense.

These amounts were established by surveying telephone companies across Canada. Canada Post told your National CPAA representatives that the highest quote was $240.00 and $10.00 was added to that amount.

Many Postmasters will have received their $250.00 cheques by now so that they do not have to install the telephone at their own cost.

CPAA offices can now start planning on joining the remainder of the Corporation in the 21st century business world.

The Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association filed a National grievance against the Corporation requesting that the Manulife Acquisition of Medical Information form be immediately withdrawn from usage. The CPAA feels strongly that this form, as currently in use, violates our members' right to privacy. If you are asked to sign this form, contact one of your local CPAA representative immediately before doing so.

This is a reminder to all Group Postmasters who are providing the post office premises.

It is your responsibility to ensure that a Building Liability Insurance policy is in place and in good standing to protect you from any/all possible claims from a third party (post office customers, passerby, etc).

The Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association does carry a member's liability insurance policy. This policy provides limited coverage for claims filed against the CPAA members. It does not include coverage for claims arising from the building, sidewalk, parking lot, etc.

Should you encounter difficulties in securing adequate insurance coverage for your premises, get in touch with the National Office. Our Insurance Broker will refer your inquiry to one of their field offices in an effort to find suitable insurance coverage.

The following standards shall be observed in allowing you time off with pay to vote (including proxy voting) during the hours the polls are open.

In an attempt to assist members who may want to consider getting involved with the affairs of their local CPAA Branch, National developed a handbook outlining the typical duties of a Branch Secretary-Treasurer. Please note that duties may vary somewhat from one Branch to another. This handbook is only meant to give a high level overview of the position. For more information, please contact the executive officers of your Branch.

Duty to Accommodate Fact Sheet (PDF)

Harrassment: What is it and What to do about it (PDF)

Regional Offices

As most of you will have heard by now, on April 21, 2008, the Federal Government, under the auspices of Minister Lawrence Cannon, has put in place an Advisory Panel to conduct a Strategic Review of Canada Post Corporation. The Federal Government has mandated four key principles to guide this review. They are:

– Canada Post will not be privatized and will remain a Crown Corporation;
– Canada Post must maintain a universal, effective and economically viable postal service;
– Canada Post is to continue to act as an instrument of public policy through the provision of postal services to Canadians;
– Canada Post is to continue to operate in a commercial environment and is expected to attain a reasonable rate of return on equity.

The Advisory Panel review will focus mainly on the following four lines of inquiry:

– How have changes in technology, competition and customer demographics shaped the postal market?
– What has been the evolution of the markets for lettermail, parcels, advertising mail and international mail?
– What are the emerging needs of postal service customers?
– What can be learned from these same developments in the postal services markets in other counties?

The Advisory Panel has committed to meeting with the various stakeholders, which have a vested interest in their work. Our brothers and sisters of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have already had their meeting and the Advisory Panel. The National officers of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistant Association met with the Advisory Panel on June 16, 2008.

We note that the Chair of the Advisory Panel, Dr. Robert M. Campbell, authored a book titled: Modernizing Postal Systems in the Electronic and Global World. In Dr. Campbell's biography, we read with interest that he served as a consultant on a study on the future of the American postal system, prepared for Pitney Bowes. For more on this, we refer you to the fifth paragraph of the article on Bill C-44, published in the last issue of The Canadian Postmasters' magazine. The final report of the Advisory Panel should be available in December 2008.

Website : www.cpcstrategicreview.gc.ca

Written Submissions : mailto:info@cpcsr-esscp.gc.ca

A new feature has been added to the CPAA web site. Under the heading of Health and Well Being, you will find the link to the Shepell fgi website. Shepell fgi is the company Canada Post Corporation contracted to provide the Employee Assistance Program and a multitude of services to employees who may be experiencing difficulties of one sort or another. Bear in mind that their services are provided in full confidentiality and no information about you seeking help will ever be relayed to the employer. We invite you to visit the Shepell fgi website and find out for yourself and your family, the types of service which are available free of charge.

Click here

On October 29, 2007, the federal government introduced Bill C-44 to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act. Bill C-44 excludes international letters from the current exclusive privilege to deliver letters. Click to print

On that day, in 1989, fourteen young women fell victim to the senseless acts of a deranged killer. On that day, we must also remember all women who are murdered or experience violence at the hands of their partners, family members and strangers throughout this country and our world. On that day, we must also renew our commitment to taking action to end all forms of violence against women in our society. We must continue our struggle to ensure that all women in Canada have true participation and economic and social equality in our society.

Please take note that the new Collective Agreement is now available here on our website.

New rates for certain statutory deductions take effect at the beginning of the new year. We want to be sure all full-time and part-time employees are well informed about how these deduction changes will affect the amount of their current paycheque for Pay Period 1 (pay date of January 8, 2009).

Employment Insurance (EI) will remain the same at 1.73% of insurable earnings for all employees except employees working in Quebec. Please note the amount of insurable earnings has increased to $42,300 from $41,100.

Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (PPIP) - For employees working in Quebec, regardless of their province of residence, the federal EI rate will decrease to 1.38% from 1.39% of insurable earnings. The provincial rate will increase to 0.484% from 0.45% of insurable earnings. Please note the provincial insurable earnings have increased to $62,000 from $60,500.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) will remain the same at 4.95% of pensionable earnings, however the maximum threshold has now increased to $46,300 from $44,900.

Canada Post Pension Plan - The percentage will decrease to 5.70% from 5.77% of pensionable earnings up to the Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) of $46,300. For employees earning more than $46,300, the percentage will decrease to 9.20% (from 9.27% in 2008).

Part-time employees are paid two weeks in arrears, and will therefore only see the Canada Post Pension Plan changes in Pay Period 2. Pay Period 1 for those employees will cover the period from December 14 to 27.

If you have any questions regarding your pay statement, we encourage you to contact the Pay Contact Centre at 1 866 920-0459 or by e-mail at: paycontactcentre@canadapost.ca.

Since Christmas Day is falling on a Thursday this year, employee paycheques will be deposited on Wednesday, December 24, one day earlier than normal.

Unfortunately, certain employees may not receive their pay statements by Wednesday, a situation attributable to several factors, including the shorter payroll processing schedule and back-to-back statutory holidays.

We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause.

Online statements received through epost are not affected by this delay. For more information about how to sign up to receive your statements, bills and other financial documents through epost, go to www.epost.ca.

Members of the Canada Post Corporation Registered Pension Plan ("the Plan") should be reassured that despite recent financial market volatility, your pension benefit is not affected. The Plan is a "defined benefit" pension plan, meaning that the pension benefit formula is based on a member's pensionable earnings and pensionable service rather than the Plan's rate of investment return. Your pension benefit is secure.

"Although stock markets in Canada and around the world have recently experienced significant volatility, large declines are typically a part of the normal business cycle. These declines have happened many times in the past and will no doubt continue to occur in the future. Although we cannot predict when market conditions will improve, members should know that the Plan's investment managers have significant experience managing investment portfolios in difficult times", said Douglas Greaves, Vice President Pension Fund and Chief Investment Officer.

Current market conditions will clearly have an impact, but the Plan operates with a long-term view and it is not unusual to have financial shortfalls in some years and surpluses in others. As a large institutional investor, the Plan has diversified its investment holdings into many asset classes and in many markets around the world. This diversification will help reduce the impact of financial market volatility.

Moya Greene, President and CEO of Canada Post commented that, "the financial risk in providing a defined benefit pension plan is borne by Canada Post. However, in these uncertain economic conditions, our ability to remain competitive so as to generate the needed earnings and cash to support the Plan is imperative."

In this regard, the Canada Post Corporation Board of Directors (the "Board") has authorized the Corporation to resume making employer current service contributions to the Plan effective November 1, 2008.

The Board and management team is committed to making sure your pension benefit will be there for you when you need it.

As many of you will have heard, Canada Post has finally heard and listened. Telephone lines will be installed in all offices, including Group Post Offices.

This initiative is complimentary to the installation of the new Retail Point of Service system (RPS). More details will be communicated to all impacted Postmasters in the coming weeks but we can already tell you that Canada Post will pay $250.00 toward the installation of a business telephone line as well as $80.00 per month to cover the telephone expense.

These amounts were established by surveying telephone companies across Canada. Canada Post told your National CPAA representatives that the highest quote was $240.00 and $10.00 was added to that amount.

Many Postmasters will have received their $250.00 cheques by now so that they do not have to install the telephone at their own cost.

CPAA offices can now start planning on joining the remainder of the Corporation in the 21st century business world.

The Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association filed a National grievance against the Corporation requesting that the Manulife Acquisition of Medical Information form be immediately withdrawn from usage. The CPAA feels strongly that this form, as currently in use, violates our members' right to privacy. If you are asked to sign this form, contact one of your local CPAA representative immediately before doing so.

This is a reminder to all Group Postmasters who are providing the post office premises.

It is your responsibility to ensure that a Building Liability Insurance policy is in place and in good standing to protect you from any/all possible claims from a third party (post office customers, passerby, etc).

The Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association does carry a member's liability insurance policy. This policy provides limited coverage for claims filed against the CPAA members. It does not include coverage for claims arising from the building, sidewalk, parking lot, etc.

Should you encounter difficulties in securing adequate insurance coverage for your premises, get in touch with the National Office. Our Insurance Broker will refer your inquiry to one of their field offices in an effort to find suitable insurance coverage.

The following standards shall be observed in allowing you time off with pay to vote (including proxy voting) during the hours the polls are open.

In an attempt to assist members who may want to consider getting involved with the affairs of their local CPAA Branch, National developed a handbook outlining the typical duties of a Branch Secretary-Treasurer. Please note that duties may vary somewhat from one Branch to another. This handbook is only meant to give a high level overview of the position. For more information, please contact the executive officers of your Branch.

Duty to Accommodate Fact Sheet (PDF)

Harrassment: What is it and What to do about it (PDF)

Regional Offices

As most of you will have heard by now, on April 21, 2008, the Federal Government, under the auspices of Minister Lawrence Cannon, has put in place an Advisory Panel to conduct a Strategic Review of Canada Post Corporation. The Federal Government has mandated four key principles to guide this review. They are:

– Canada Post will not be privatized and will remain a Crown Corporation;
– Canada Post must maintain a universal, effective and economically viable postal service;
– Canada Post is to continue to act as an instrument of public policy through the provision of postal services to Canadians;
– Canada Post is to continue to operate in a commercial environment and is expected to attain a reasonable rate of return on equity.

The Advisory Panel review will focus mainly on the following four lines of inquiry:

– How have changes in technology, competition and customer demographics shaped the postal market?
– What has been the evolution of the markets for lettermail, parcels, advertising mail and international mail?
– What are the emerging needs of postal service customers?
– What can be learned from these same developments in the postal services markets in other counties?

The Advisory Panel has committed to meeting with the various stakeholders, which have a vested interest in their work. Our brothers and sisters of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have already had their meeting and the Advisory Panel. The National officers of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistant Association met with the Advisory Panel on June 16, 2008.

We note that the Chair of the Advisory Panel, Dr. Robert M. Campbell, authored a book titled: Modernizing Postal Systems in the Electronic and Global World. In Dr. Campbell's biography, we read with interest that he served as a consultant on a study on the future of the American postal system, prepared for Pitney Bowes. For more on this, we refer you to the fifth paragraph of the article on Bill C-44, published in the last issue of The Canadian Postmasters' magazine. The final report of the Advisory Panel should be available in December 2008.

Website : www.cpcstrategicreview.gc.ca

Written Submissions : mailto:info@cpcsr-esscp.gc.ca

A new feature has been added to the CPAA web site. Under the heading of Health and Well Being, you will find the link to the Shepell fgi website. Shepell fgi is the company Canada Post Corporation contracted to provide the Employee Assistance Program and a multitude of services to employees who may be experiencing difficulties of one sort or another. Bear in mind that their services are provided in full confidentiality and no information about you seeking help will ever be relayed to the employer. We invite you to visit the Shepell fgi website and find out for yourself and your family, the types of service which are available free of charge.

Click here

On October 29, 2007, the federal government introduced Bill C-44 to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act. Bill C-44 excludes international letters from the current exclusive privilege to deliver letters. Click to print

On that day, in 1989, fourteen young women fell victim to the senseless acts of a deranged killer. On that day, we must also remember all women who are murdered or experience violence at the hands of their partners, family members and strangers throughout this country and our world. On that day, we must also renew our commitment to taking action to end all forms of violence against women in our society. We must continue our struggle to ensure that all women in Canada have true participation and economic and social equality in our society.

Please take note that the new Collective Agreement is now available here on our website.