As most of you know, Canada Post PPC management has been conducting discussions with our members surrounding PPC Plant Health and Safety rules. Specifically regarding the wearing of loose clothing and jewelry. Some examples are: long-sleeved shirts, ties, watches, wedding rings, dangling earrings and necklaces, long hair, beards, and the Kara (iron bracelet Sikh men and women wear).
This issue is not isolated to matters only involving safety, but has possible human rights implications. From day one, the Union and representatives from the corporation have been trying to meet to discuss the matter in the hopes of establishing a common ground. Following these discussions, many of our members experienced feelings of frustration and disappointment as they felt singled out and even targeted because of their religious affiliation and how they identify themselves as individuals. Many members brought forward concerns regarding the taking off of their wedding rings and other personal items. Other members brought concerns regarding local management’s approach when conducting these discussions.
Our South Asian members were very upset by local management’s approach on taking off religious symbols, specifically the Kara, which represents the identity of any Sikh person. After many attempts, the issue had not been resolved – even at the Local Health & Safety Committee level.
On February 17th, representatives from CUPW National Joint Health and Safety (NJOSH) committee, alongside Nina Mankovitz, Canada Post General Manager of Health and Safety, did a PPC complete walk-around and met with members on the work floor. The purpose of the visit was to gather information and concerns from the work floor regarding the issues. Finally on February 18th, the parties met with the assistance of the
National LJOSH. The Union presented our concerns at the LJOSH meeting. Canada Post wanted to enforce the plant safety rules and expected everyone to comply. The Union argued that the corporation’s approach was narrow-minded and the corporation should find a more proactive approach to come up with solutions that would work for everyone involved without infringing on the human rights of the workers.
Both parties agreed that PPC management would conduct individual workplace assessments with the assistance of CUPW Health & Safety representatives – Sister Anju Parmar and Brother Ken Doyle. The assessments would be limited to assessing the potential risk to injury around mechanized equipment. Work sections like VES, Finals, Short & Long Manual, PO5s and any other work area with non-mechanized equipment would not require our members to remove any items.
Both parties also agreed that there won’t be any further discussions by management with our members regarding the Kara or any other religious items until the assessments are completed. PPC LJOSH will meet on February 25th to set up the assessment schedule. The parties agreed to complete the workplace assessments prior to March 18, 2016. The results will be discussed at the next PPC LJOSH Health and Safety meeting.
If PPC management approaches you on the work floor regarding these issues, you should report it to your Union representative immediately.
In Solidarity,
Anju Parmar
Chief Shop Steward PPC
ck/CUPE-3338