Postmans Trade Union Navigates COVID-19 Challenges

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The Postmans Trade Union has been navigating some tough challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of its members have been forced to adapt to new safety protocols and work arrangements.

The union has been working closely with postal management to ensure the health and safety of its members. This includes providing personal protective equipment and increasing cleaning and disinfection of facilities.

One of the biggest challenges the union has faced is the surge in mail volume due to increased online shopping. This has put a strain on postal workers, who have had to work longer hours and handle more packages than usual.

The union has been advocating for better working conditions and more support for its members during this time.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Post Office workers, who were considered key workers. Many Post Office workers were exposed to the virus while continuing to work on the frontlines.

Close-up of a Common Postman butterfly perched on a fern leaf with dew drops.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a Common Postman butterfly perched on a fern leaf with dew drops.

The pandemic put a strain on the Post Office's finances, with a reported loss of £700 million in 2020. This financial strain was exacerbated by the decline in mail volumes and the costs associated with implementing social distancing measures.

The pandemic also highlighted the importance of postal workers' roles in keeping communities connected during times of crisis.

Impact of COVID-19 on Offices

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on offices, particularly on postal workers who continued to serve the public throughout the pandemic.

They became key workers, putting them at risk of infection. Many postal workers were infected with the virus.

The increased demand for services led to longer working hours for many postal workers.

The La Crisis

The La Crisis was a significant consequence of COVID-19, with lockdowns imposed in many Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

These lockdowns had a devastating impact on the local economy, with a 9.5% decline in GDP in Argentina alone.

Detailed macro of a Red Postman butterfly resting on a green leaf in natural light.
Credit: pexels.com, Detailed macro of a Red Postman butterfly resting on a green leaf in natural light.

The crisis was also marked by widespread protests, as people took to the streets to express their frustration with the government's handling of the pandemic and the economic downturn.

In Peru, for example, protests turned violent, with clashes between police and demonstrators resulting in at least 20 deaths.

The La Crisis also highlighted the deep-seated social and economic inequalities in the region, with many people struggling to access basic necessities like food and healthcare.

Announces National Service Delays for Canadians

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has announced a national strike that will cause service delays for Canadians.

The strike is set to begin on Friday, November 15 at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Unless agreements are reached before then, CUPW will be in a legal position to begin strike activity.

Union and Employer Relations

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has been engaging in negotiations with Canada Post for some time now.

A special mediator has been appointed to assist in these negotiations.

The CUPW has received a strike mandate from its members, adding urgency to the negotiations.

Canada Post continues to negotiate with the CUPW to renew their collective agreements.

The UK

A male delivery worker in a red uniform holding a package outdoors in Portugal.
Credit: pexels.com, A male delivery worker in a red uniform holding a package outdoors in Portugal.

The UK postal workers are a vital part of our daily lives, delivering letters, parcels, and other essential items to our doorstep.

Their profession comes with its own set of challenges, including low pay, which is a significant concern for many postal workers.

In the UK, job insecurity is also a major issue that affects postal workers, making their employment uncertain and unpredictable.

The UK postal workers' union plays a crucial role in advocating for their rights and improving working conditions.

UK Achievements

The UK postal workers have a long history, dating back to 1660 when the first post office was established. They've played a crucial role in the country's development since then.

Royal Mail is the UK's largest postal service provider, employing over 163,000 people. This massive workforce delivers a staggering number of items every day.

In the financial year ending March 2022, Royal Mail workers delivered just below eight billion letters.

Union and Employer Relations

Delivery worker checks packages in a van on a city street, ensuring orders are ready for shipping.
Credit: pexels.com, Delivery worker checks packages in a van on a city street, ensuring orders are ready for shipping.

Postal workers in the UK face significant challenges, including low pay and poor working conditions. The average postal worker salary in the UK is £24,317 per year, which is below the national average salary of £33,000.

Employers must take responsibility for improving the lives of their postal workers. This can be achieved by investing in skills and training to help workers adapt to changes in the industry.

The current state of job insecurity among postal workers is a major concern. Many workers are worried about the future of their profession due to the rise of digital communication and automation.

Employers can help alleviate these concerns by providing training in new technologies and communication methods. This will enable postal workers to remain relevant and competitive in the industry.

A union for postal workers in the UK could play a crucial role in advocating for their rights and improving working conditions. By working together, employers and unions can create a better future for postal workers.

Public and Private Sector Collaboration

A striking red postman butterfly delicately perched on a green leaf, captured in vivid detail.
Credit: pexels.com, A striking red postman butterfly delicately perched on a green leaf, captured in vivid detail.

Public and private sector organisations make up the UK's communications industry. Royal Mail is a well-known private sector postal service provider.

Private sector postal services like Royal Mail, DHL, and UPS have different pay and working conditions compared to public sector workers. This can lead to inequality and unfair treatment.

The Post Office operates 11,500 post offices around the UK, serving both households and businesses. We can support postal workers and post office workers by encouraging them to become members of The Workers Union.

Receives Notices

Canada Post received strike notices from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) for both Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units, indicating that CUPW intends to begin strike activity as of Friday, November 15 at 12:01 a.m. ET.

This is not the first time Canada Post has received strike notices from CUPW, as it has happened previously, with the notices indicating that CUPW will be in a legal position to begin strike activity.

Happy female in plaid shirt taking surgical protective mask out from craft paper envelope isolated on red background illustrating safety mail deliveries during coronavirus pandemic
Credit: pexels.com, Happy female in plaid shirt taking surgical protective mask out from craft paper envelope isolated on red background illustrating safety mail deliveries during coronavirus pandemic

The strike notices were received by Canada Post, and they have been aware of the potential for a strike since then, with the cooling-off period coming to an end on November 2.

Canada Post has been in negotiations with CUPW since November 2023 to reach new collective agreements, and the company continues to negotiate with the union to renew their collective agreements.

Communication and Technology

Traditional post still plays a vital role in our daily lives, with deliveries of legal documents, letters, and financial statements being common.

Many people prefer to receive physical mail rather than electronic communication, showing that traditional post is still in demand.

As a result, the postal industry continues to be relevant, despite the rise of new communications technology.

Traditional vs New Communications Technology

The rise of new communications technology has changed the way we interact with each other. Many people now prefer to communicate electronically rather than through traditional post.

Traditional post still plays a vital role in our daily lives. Deliveries of legal documents are common.

Some people prefer to receive physical mail rather than electronic communication. This shows that there's still a place for traditional post in our lives.

Global Offers

Close-up of a postman butterfly resting on a vibrant green leaf in a lush natural environment.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a postman butterfly resting on a vibrant green leaf in a lush natural environment.

Canada Post has been actively engaging with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to move negotiations forward.

The company has presented comprehensive frameworks and global offers to the union in an effort to reach agreements on key issues.

Canada Post's new global offers to CUPW for both Urban and RSMC bargaining units aim to move talks forward and address critical issues for the corporation's future.

These offers lay out the company's proposals for each bargaining group, providing a clear direction for negotiations.

After nearly 11 months of discussions with CUPW, Canada Post has made significant progress in presenting its proposals for both bargaining units.

Negotiations and Updates

The negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have been ongoing for a while. The Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) has been examining the collective bargaining dispute since the beginning of the year.

A third hearing had been scheduled for March but is not required. The IIC is also looking into Canada Post's broader financial and competitive challenges.

Two female workers discussing tasks at a factory workbench, smiling and engaged.
Credit: pexels.com, Two female workers discussing tasks at a factory workbench, smiling and engaged.

Canada Post and the CUPW participated in negotiations this week, but the talks have broken off without new negotiated agreements. Despite best efforts and some real progress in key areas, the parties were unable to reach an agreement.

The cooling-off period ended on November 2, which means either party could initiate a labour disruption after providing a minimum notice of 72 hours. The CUPW announced it has received a strike mandate from its members.

Canada Post and the CUPW are scheduled to hold three days of negotiations this week. These talks are being held in parallel with the work of the IIC, which is examining the current collective bargaining dispute as well as Canada Post's broader financial situation and competitiveness.

Canada Post presented a comprehensive framework for reaching negotiated agreements to the CUPW. The Corporation is considering its options to move negotiations forward as talks with the CUPW have ground to a halt on key issues critical to Canada Post's future.

Mediators have been appointed to assist Canada Post and the CUPW as the parties continue to negotiate new collective agreements for both the Urban and RSMC bargaining units. The mediators aim to help the parties reach an agreement.

From above crop adult male wrapping ordered black notebooks in white cardboard box with craft perforated paper while preparing postal delivery
Credit: pexels.com, From above crop adult male wrapping ordered black notebooks in white cardboard box with craft perforated paper while preparing postal delivery

Canada Post continues to negotiate with the CUPW to renew their collective agreements. The parties have exchanged a series of counterproposals on their next labor deal since discussions reignited last week.

The strike's duration depends on how soon Canada Post and the CUPW can resolve their differences and reach an agreement.

Strike and Disruptions

The Canada parcel industry is experiencing significant disruptions due to the strike, with on-time delivery performance dropping by 14% since October 28.

Delays are mounting, and the Canadian market is highly vulnerable to disruptions because of the limited variety in shippers' carrier rosters.

This lack of carrier diversity is making it difficult for shippers to find capacity and forcing them to make tough decisions between cost and delivery time.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates that the strike will cost small- and medium-sized companies over $1 billion by December 4.

Securing access to carriers that suit your particular shipping needs is key to limiting disruptions from the strike, experts say.

Operations Remain Closed

A protest sign with 'On Strike' text held during an outdoor demonstration, highlighting labor movements.
Credit: pexels.com, A protest sign with 'On Strike' text held during an outdoor demonstration, highlighting labor movements.

Postal operations remain closed as the parties are participating in a CIRB hearing, which was established on December 13 by the Minister of Labour.

The CIRB will assess the likelihood of the parties reaching agreements by the end of 2024, and if they consider this unlikely, they will order postal operations to resume and extend the terms of the existing collective agreements until May 22, 2025.

Canada Post received strike notices from CUPW, indicating a legal position to begin strike activity on November 15 at 12:01 a.m. ET.

How Disruptive Has the Strike Been?

The strike has been extremely disruptive for deliveries in Canada. On-time delivery performance has dropped by 14% since October 28.

Delays are mounting throughout the Canada parcel industry due to the strike. This is largely due to Canada Post's major presence in the country's parcel market and limited variety in shippers' carrier rosters.

The Canadian market becomes highly vulnerable to disruptions because of the lack of carrier diversity. Shippers are now scrambling to find capacity and must make tough decisions between cost and delivery time.

The strike is expected to cost small- and medium-sized companies over $1 billion by December 4. This is due to more expensive delivery alternatives and lost orders.

A seed supplier in Prince Edward Island is facing substantial storage fees for printed materials and expects low Christmas orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do mailmen have a union?

Yes, mail workers are represented by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), which has over 200,000 members across various divisions. The APWU advocates for the rights and interests of postal employees and retirees.

Who is in the American Postal Workers Union?

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) represents over 222,000 active and retired workers in various roles, including retail postal clerks, mail handlers, and maintenance staff. Members also include private-sector employees in the mailing industry.

What are the 4 postal unions?

The four postal unions are APWU, NRLCA, NPMHU, and NALC, which are united in their efforts to protect postal workers' rights. Learn more about their joint efforts at https://stoppostalraid.com.

Kristin Waelchi

Senior Writer

Kristin Waelchi is a skilled writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in research and analysis, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, delving deep into complex topics and shedding light on the intricacies of the world around us. Kristin's expertise lies in crafting engaging articles that inform and educate readers on a wide range of subjects, including industrial facilities.

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