LOCAL 846
For immediate Release April 29, 2020
OTTAWA
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers alleges that Foodora Canada and its
parent company Delivery Hero are breaking several sections of Ontario labour law, by closing down in order to defeat a union organizing drive.
Bulletin #122 April 28, 2020
Greetings Sisters, Brothers, Friends:
The majority of provinces and territories have closed licensed child care services because of the COVID pandemic. This means that many postal workers lost access to their regular child care arrangements, but are still required to work.
For immediate Release April 28, 2020
OTTAWA – CUPW and the Foodsters are shocked to hear about Foodora’s decision to leave the Canadian market. The two-weeks’ notice that has been provided is grossly unfair and unreasonable. We call on Foodora and the Federal Government to ensure that workers and food couriers be protected.
“We are currently reviewing our legal options. At this time, however, we want to focus on the hundreds of workers who have just been let go in the middle of a pandemic, with no Record of Employment, and unclear access to benefits such as the CERB,” says CUPW National President Jan Simpson.
Foodora explains its closure is the result of an inability to make larger market gains. Riders have long tried to bring positive changes to the company’s attention but were ignored every time. That was a major catalyst for the unionization drive. By closing, the company is now again saying it would rather leave hundreds of vulnerable workers without any income than listen to those workers’ suggestions for change.
“Foodora and Delivery Hero must be held accountable to the workers – couriers have made millions for this company and deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are considering numbers over human lives,” says Simpson
Foodora has consistently avoided respecting labour laws and labour rights. We have seen, however, that collective strength has led to important results. A few months ago, the Ontario Labour Relations Board ruled that couriers working for Foodora are dependent contractors. We must therefore believe that a better outcome is possible and achievable.
April 20, 2020
One of the terrible effects of COVID-19 is that it has led to a growth in reported cases of domestic violence. Shelters in Canada are reporting growing needs. In France, there are reports that gender based-violence has increased by a shocking 36%. In British Columbia, the Battered Women’s Support Services organization has reported a 300% increase in calls to their crisis line!
The National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives or suffered injury or illness on the job. This annual event was initiated by the labour movement 36 years ago to increase awareness of on-the-job injuries and fatal workplace accidents. This day of remembrance was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, six years after it was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) in 1985.
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.
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