Sisters and Brothers,
I wanted to give you an update on what has been happening at the Local Level with what we have been all been dealing with around the Covid 19 crisis.
Every day I have been in contact with the Local CPC management with regards to issues that are being brought to my attention from the membership. I have had discussions on Quarantine Leave, Special Leave for Child Care Issues, cleaning of the depots and plant, the protocol for the cab companies on disinfecting their cabs…the list goes on.
We all understand the seriousness of this virus and I am continually pressuring CPC to ensure that the members have the proper Health & Safety tools to be able to protect them from this virus as best as possible. It has been an uphill battle with the Corporation to even have them supply enough gloves, sanitizer etc. I have repeatedly asked management what they expect my members to do when these supplies are not available. Management does not have an answer for me.
Well I have an answer. I am advising all members of your rights when it comes to Health and Safety. As has been posted previously (https://www.cupw560.ca/from-national-covid-19-update-march-20th-20/) all members have individual rights to refuse to do dangerous work. I strongly suggest that every member read this post and learn about your Right to Refuse. Every one of you have the right to invoke these rights!!! There is a process that Canada Post MUST follow that involves CUPW Health and Safety representatives when a member invokes the Right to Refuse. Canda Post cannot just shrug it off and tell you to keep working. These rights have been fought for and won through previous contracts and they are there for YOUR protection.
I know that many members have questions with regards to what is happening. I have many questions too. I am trying to get answers from both our Regional and National offices. Are there Consultations happening to address the concerns of the membership? If so, what came out of those discussions? Is CUPW in agreement with the directives from Canada Post? These are just some of the questions I am still awaiting answers on. Any information I receive I am relaying directly to the membership both through this website and our Facebook page (CUPW Kitchener Area Members ).
I would like to finish this letter off by saying that the members of this Local are the best in the country. Even though this is a very stressful time for all of us we still stick together and support each other. I am very proud to be part of this Local and extremely proud to be your representative as Local President.
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
In Solidarity,
Steve Hinschberger