The postal workers, members of the Rural Suburban Mail Carriers union, say they can't afford the price of fuel anymore and they're demanding Canada Post foot part of the bill.
Earlier today, they drove en masse from the corner of Matheson Blvd. and Hurontario St. to the Gateway Postal Facility on Dixie Rd. in Mississauga to draw the attention of Canada Post to their complaints.
RSMC workers joined Canada Post in 2004 and are employed under a separate collective agreement than that of regular postal carriers.
Under their agreement, they must use their own vans to deliver the mail. They receive gas allowance, but say it's woefully inadequate, especially given soaring fuel prices.
“We're treated as second-class or even third-class citizens. We're not recognized at all,” said Jim Tohill, one of the 85 Mississauga workers among the 6,000 members nationwide. “We're a commodity.”
Canada Post maintains it completed negotiations with RSMC two weeks ago and that it reached a tentative agreement with disgruntled workers.
“We believe the agreement goes a long way in addressing the most pressing issues that were raised,” said Canada Post spokesperson Monica Verma. “We recognize the important role that our RSMC's play in moving the mail.”
Carolyn Pollard, RSMC chief steward, said the union plans to reject the agreement.
“The workers are not happy with the agreement and they will not be voting for it,” Pollard said.
Tohill, who delivers in the Glen Erin Dr./Dundas St. W. area, has been a mail carrier for more than 20 years. He said he receives $70 per month gas allowance for maintenance, insurance and fuel, but spends that much in one week.
Other contentious issues include benefits and work conditions.
Tohill and other postal workers like him receive a base salary based on the type, hours and details of their travel route. Tohill said the system used to calculate the number is flawed.
“Canada Post puts in the number of customers we deliver to into this magic computer program along with the kilometres estimated and they come up with this fictitious number of hours they say we can do our jobs,” Tohill said. “In my case, Canada Post says I can complete my job in 4.53 hours. If I'm fast and work really hard, I can finish in seven-and-a-half hours. Canada Post refuses to acknowledge the hours we spend out there daily.”
He added that because of the discrepancy in hours of work, they're deemed part-time employees, which affects their pension.
“At the end of the month, the worker ends up paying money to come and work for Canada Post, because from what they allow us to have, it is not enough,” Pollard said. “If we cannot afford to put gas in our vans, that means we have to stop delivering.”
rpanjwani@mississauga.net
