Frequently Asked Questions About Our Union Campaign
Why are Toronto couriers organizing a union?
The courier industry is in dire need of improvement. Wages and working conditions often fall below Canada’s labour code standards.
Why are we organizing with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers?
CUPW has already organized same-day couriers in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Ottawa, Red Deer and Montreal. Every worker who deals with the mail should be treated with respect. Disparities in the postal and courier sector hurt all of us. 56,000 members strong, CUPW has been helping couriers organize since 1999.
How does unionizing work?
A union campaign happens in stages:
- Workers get together to discuss their working conditions
- Workers approach union representatives and a campaign is created
- Workers start signing union cards
- When over 50% of workers sign membership cards, the union files an application for certification with the Labour Board
- The workers in the new union start to negotiate for improvements
What’s happening right now?
Currently, couriers are signing union cards to qualify for union recognition. The best thing you can do right now to help establish the union is sign your union card and ask your fellow couriers to do the same.
Aren’t I an independent contractor?
Courier companies record bike messengers and car couriers as independent contractors. This is a good deal for the company because it means the employer can ignore employment standards such as maximum hours of work; overtime, vacation pay, holidays, and termination or severance pay. Employers also skip contributing their share of Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Workers Compensation premiums. But “independent contractor” is not the correct classification for couriers. Every time the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has brought this question to the Labour Board, the Board has recognized couriers as employees or dependent contractors. This means that couriers can organize a union.
What’s a collective agreement?
A collective agreement is a negotiated, legal contract between employees organized into a union and their employer. When it’s time to renew the contract, the workers decide what their priorities are and negotiate accordingly. Workers also vote on the final contract reached. A collective agreement can cover many things, including:
- Wages
- Benefits
- Scheduling and hours of work
- No discrimination
- Grievance procedures for resolving problems
Won’t I get fired or harassed if I sign a union card?
It is against the law for employers and supervisors to interfere with organizing a union. That includes making even subtle threats or promises, firing someone or harassing them because of their union involvement. The law enforces workers’ rights. If your employer attempts to do any of these things, we will represent you at the Labour Board and make sure the company can’t get away with it.
Why do I have to pay $5 when I sign a union card?
The $5 initiation fee is a formality required by the law. It shows a material commitment to the union. For that reason, the union is not allowed to pay it and must ask you for the money. It is tax-deductible and you will get a receipt.
Where does the money go?
If the union drive is successful, all initiation fees that have been collected will go to the newly formed union Local. So your money will come back to you in that way. If the union application fails, then the $5 will be refunded to you.
What’s the union done for couriers so far?
CUPW currently represents 400 bike messengers, car couriers and walkers working in five cities. Here are some improvements that CUPW courier members have negotiated in their first contracts in Winnipeg and in Montreal:WINNIPEG
- Payment by commission but with a minimum daily guaranteed rate:
- Cars - $105/day
- Vans - $110/day
- Walkers/bikers - $85/day
- Joint union-management committee to determine rates charged to customers;
- Fuel charge paid to employee Protection from discrimination
- No discipline without just cause and written notice
- Vacation Pay:
- Up to 5 years of service -4% of gross pay
- Between 5-15 years of service - 6% of gross pay
- 16 or more years of service - 8% of gross pay
- Leaves
- 10 paid statutory holidays
- 2 weeks vacation leave during first 5 years / 3 weeks leave over 5 years / 4 weeks leave over 16 years
- The company pays for signage on drivers’ vehicles
MONTREAL
- Vacant routes offered by seniority
- Once a route is assigned to a worker, it cannot be unilaterally transferred without just cause
- No new worker will be hired until all workers on the seniority list have had the chance to bid on all routes
- Payment by companies into a fund controlled by the courier local to be used each year as couriers see fit. In 2008, the couriers voted to divide this amount into $600 payments to each member, more than covering the $384 they paid that year in union dues
- 7% commission increase for bike couriers during winter
If we form a union, won’t my company go bankrupt?
Courier companies are making a lot of money in this industry while off-loading much of the cost of doing business onto their couriers through low wages and charging fees for equipment. Couriers are organizing a union so that they can share in some of the profits they earn for their employers. The gains that unionized couriers have bargained so far haven’t bankrupted those companies! If the company finds the costs of improving working conditions for the couriers high, it might consider charging its customers more for deliveries, not paying couriers less.
If we organize with CUPW and the postal workers go on strike, will couriers have to strike too?
Because CUPW couriers negotiate their own contracts with their own employers, they will not have to strike if postal workers go on strike.
I’m not going to be a courier forever. I have other work too. Why should I get involved with the union drive?
All couriers deserve to be treated with respect. They deserve decent wages, better working conditions and fair distribution of work. You should get involved because these things have to change and couriers uniting can make a difference. Even if you are not experiencing any issues with your own working situation, consider doing your part for the other couriers who are asking for your support.