COVID Cases Increasing at Canada Post

The number of people contracting COVID-19 is greatly increasing.

Canada Post is no exception. The number of CUPW members who tested positive, as reported by CPC between April 6 and April 16, is 154.

All Classifications - All Types of facilities

No group of CUPW members has been spared. Letter carriers, RSMCs, retail workers, plant workers and maintenance workers have all been victims of the virus.

Of the 154 members who tested positive between April 6-16:

• 14 worked in retail
• 74 worked in a depot or in delivery
• 66 worked in processing plants

COVID is Becoming More Dangerous

The new variants are more infectious, which means that they spread much faster than the first version of the virus.

Not only are the number of cases increasing but these new variants are proving to be more harmful, even deadly. They are responsible for more hospitalisations due to complications or more severe cases of the disease. In addition, more younger people are being hospitalized.

In many areas, the new variants make up the majority of infections, and projections from health authorities around the world predict the same.

Be More Careful Than Ever

No one likes working while wearing a mask, but protecting yourself and your co-workers is more important than ever. Be especially careful when you are in an area where everyone may not be wearing a mask, such as in cafeterias or rest pods. In those circumstances, it is crucial that social distancing be maintained at all times.

If you find yourself in a situation where you believe your health and safety is in danger, take action to protect yourself. Report the situation to your shop steward or members of your health and safety committee. They can speak with local management to address the specific situation. This will allow the Union to ensure compliance and enforcement of the health and safety measures in your workplace.

If the above fails and you believe your health and safety is still in jeopardy, you can exercise your right to refuse until the employer resolves the situation. You have the right to demand that your workplace be made safe.

Vaccinations and Rapid Testing

CUPW has communicated with the political leadership and the health authorities in every province and territory, to impress upon them the urgency that postal workers be given priority for vaccinations.

We strongly believe that the postal system has been very important to Canadians during this pandemic by helping them reduce unnecessary contacts and allowing businesses to maintain a certain level of operation.

We have also stressed to CPC management the need for rapid testing in the workplace whenever there is an indication of the possibility of an outbreak. This has been deployed in a number of facilities across the country and we are constantly monitoring the situation.

CUPW is There for You

CUPW has negotiated strong health and safety protections. We have fought for legislation that protects the health and safety of all workers. We have union health and safety committees and representatives in all workplaces. All members have the right to protect themselves and the obligation to ensure that they do not jeopardize the safety of co-workers. CUPW will not tolerate any intimidation or bullying of members who try to protect themselves or their co-workers. We have to remember that we are doing this for our own health and safety and that this is a just cause.

There is nothing more important than your health and your union will stand with you when you take action to protect it.

In solidarity,