CUPW, Canada Post and COVID-19

The number of people infected with COVID-19 is increasing across the country. In many communities, healthcare systems are overwhelmed, health care workers are at their breaking point, and available ICU beds in hospitals are in very short supply. While two vaccines have been approved by Health Canada, the rollout will take time and, and it may be months before postal workers have access to them. The threat to our health has never been greater, and it is imperative for all postal workers to follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Wear your mask properly, maintain physical distancing, wash and sanitize your hands, and if you feel sick, stay home.

You Can Help Your Local Joint Health and Safety Committee

CUPW has demanded that all sections of mail processing plants, on all shifts, be inspected regularly to ensure that all safety measures, including physical distancing, are being complied with. When public health authorities conduct inspections, it is our position that they should involve union members of Local Joint Health & Safety Committees (LJHSCs).

Across the country, CUPW members of LJHSCs have been working hard to ensure that COVID-19 health and safety protocols are implemented at all workplaces on all shifts. If you feel that safe work practices aren’t being followed and you feel unsafe, notify your shop steward or Health and Safety representative, or local LJHSC as soon as possible.

Your Health and Safety

The recent reports from Canada Post Corporation indicate that the number of postal workers testing positive for COVID-19 has increased significantly since the beginning of the year. CUPW continues to pressure Canada Post Corporation to share the latest information with us, investigate and correct situations which could lead to workplace transmission, and to do everything possible to assure you a safe and healthy workplace.

We’re hearing you: in a typical January, postal workers and PSBU members alike should be resting and recovering from the peak season workload and overtime. In pandemic times, things are still quite stressful, demanding, and taking a toll on the body and mind.

We will get through this together.

In solidarity,

Julee Sanderson

1st National Vice-President