Due to the ongoing safety concerns surrounding COVID-19, the Vancouver local has decided to err on side of caution and will be cancelling the April GMM. More information to follow. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit
April 16, 2020
1. What is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?
The CERB is a temporary income support for workers who have ceased working due to COVID-19 AND DO NOT have access to paid leave.
It provides a monthly benefit of $2,000 for workers who have been out of work for 14 consecutive days in any four-week period for reasons relating to COVID-19.
EXPANDED QUARANTINE PROVISIONS LEAVE EXPLAINED
April 11, 2020
As noted in our April 6, 2020 bulletin (Bulletin #110), three categories of permanent postal workers will finally get access to quarantine leave.
At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, it took time to figure out all the different risks that people may have relative to the COVID-19 pandemic. Testing was sparse, rules unclear, risks uncertain. In particular, Urban and RSMC members who are aged 70 years or more, and members who are immunocompromised or at higher risk, living in the province of Québec, were put on “quarantine leave” while the same category of workers outside of Québec were put on “Leave for Other Reasons” and therefore had to use their personal days before being granted leave with pay. Canada Post also confirmed that members who are pregnant are considered to be part of the High-Risk category if their doctors recommend they self-isolate. Continue Reading Here
COVID-19 AND SPECIAL LEAVE FOR CHILD AND ELDER CARE AT CANADA POST
April 9, 2020
Canada Post takes its cue from the Federal Government to extend leave provisions for workers beyond the April 10, 2020 deadline.
Responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Canada Post is directing supervisors to approve paid Special Leave for postal workers needing to be home with children because of school and child care closures. This also applies to members who have to step in to provide care for elderly parents.
This directive will come into effect immediately and continue in force until further notice.
More Quarantine, Admail Improvements
On April 6, we’ve confirmed a change in Canada Post Corporation’s (CPC) practice for:
- Workers over 70,
- Pregnant workers, and
- Immune-suppressed/High-risk
Permanent workers who fall under these categories will have access to quarantine leave (which is at 100% of regular pay). Members in these categories who have used personal days since the beginning of the crisis will have their days restored.
Admail
Over the past weekend, Canada Post Corporation confirmed that local management will now be authorized to make alternate delivery arrangements for admail.
That means that based on discussions with their local supervisors, Group 2 workers and RSMCs will be able to alter their delivery of unaddressed admail to limit the exposure they have with the public and with various surfaces.
Ensuring EVERYONE’s Safety
We’ve been addressing these issues with Canada Post since the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis. It takes strong member support to see breakthroughs and responses.
Keep up the pressure on management to do better – these are the results.
It is no exaggeration to say that union activism in times like these saves lives of postal workers and the public.
In solidarity,
Jan Simpson National President
THANK YOU CUPW!
Dear Postal Workers,
For all of your work during this time of uncertainty, a huge thank you from all of us at Lush.
Please enjoy one of our bath bombs for a few moments of self-care. Fill your bathtub with warm water, then drop the bath bomb in and enjoy the show!
*Lush bath bombs are currently being distributed to all wok locations and should be available to CUPW members shortly.
Thank you Lush for the generous gifts, your words of gratitude are encouraging.
**COVID-19 UPDATE**
On March 16 Canada Post directorship at the Pacific Processing Centre (PPC) contacted the Union informing us that a member had reported testing positive for COVID–19. The Employer also informed us that immediate steps were taken to determine where and when the member had last worked and who had been in contact with the member.