If we want to buy into a containment strategy, we need Canada Post to apply these measures evenly everywhere. A lot of other locals in our union are still experiencing this lack of proper sanitation or physical distancing provisions. Postal workers are feeling a lot of frustration because they do want to help out during this crisis but they want to have that assurance that they can do it safely.

Since late Jan 2020, CPC had awareness of COVID19 and over 50 days to implement anti-COVID19 measures. After over 40 days of CPC inaction in Edmonton, it took less than a week of collective workfloor pressure to force CPC to act. Edmonton’s experience is that safety measures were only implemented with urgency by CPC once workfloors began openly discussing, and preparing, to refuse unsafe work.

The time for talking, and ‘looking into it’, has long since passed and we need written assurances from CPC of what is being done and when it will be done. The sooner you respond the better so that we can communicate to our members what CPC is promising so our members can then decide if what you’re offering is enough to keep themselves, their families, and the public, sufficiently safe.

Are front-line workers equipped with what they need to prevent the spread of COVID-19— and if not, how are they organizing to ensure the health and safety of their workplaces? Roland Schmidt, president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 730, joins Team Advantage to discuss the conditions at mail facilities, the difference between management's communications and actions, and...

In Edmonton, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Local 730 has issued Canada Post management a formal set of expectations for them to meet. If management has not implemented the changes by Sunday March 29, postal workers will begin exercising their right to refuse unsafe work.

We are continuing to get positive traction in the media to share the concerns of our members. As a result, the pressure keeps growing for CPC to get its act together to implement proper safety protocols.

Canada Post is mostly saying the right words about the need to prepare their facilities to weather the COVID19 pandemic but, in practice, working conditions remain dangerous. It would be one thing if postal workers only had the capacity to infect themselves with COVID19; the reality, however, is that unless drastic, immediate safety measures are taken, Canada Post will also pose a threat to the...

"But the truth is that if we can't do it safely, we are a greater risk to Canadians than if we weren't doing the service. So if we get contaminated, that is bad news for Canada."