As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country, many provinces are implementing some form of lockdown beginning over the Holidays and continuing into January 2021. These lockdowns will close some schools, and create more demand for childcare.
We are connected, every one of us, even if sometimes it does not feel that way as injustice and the noise of oppression remain in our world. Yet, since the dawn of human existence, we have gathered to share and celebrate the renewal and cycle of life.
Eighteen (18) CUPW members, working at the Saskatoon Mail Processing Plant have tested positive for COVID-19. Several of the members are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, while others are experiencing severe symptoms.
December 10 is the day we commemorate the 1948 United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that sets out the fundamental rights of all human beings, irrespective of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Farmers in India are rising to protest three new laws adopted in their country that have important ramifications for the average Indian farmer. Essentially, this set of bills eases restrictions on corporate interests like those of Monsanto and penalizes millions of small independent farmers in the process.
December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women to commemorate the anniversary of the 14 women who were killed at Montreal’s École Polytechnique on this day in 1989.
We all deserve to feel safe at work. And if something happens, if we experience violence or harassment, there should be an easy and safe way to report our experiences. However, we know all too well that there are many barriers to reporting, and oftentimes, victims suffer in silence. This cycle needs to stop.
Last Sunday, November 22, at midnight, Canada Post announced a new policy to make face coverings mandatory for employees, contractors, visitors and customers in its facilities across the country. This requirement applies but is not limited to, plant floors, depots, retail outlets, docks and yards, and administrative sites. It also applies to Canada Post employees while working in other facilities, such as multi-unit residential buildings, stores, offices and their common areas, such as entrances, lobbies and hallways.
As the second wave of COVID unfolds, CUPW has emerging concerns that we're keeping a close watch on:
a) we're seeing rising numbers of confirmed cases among our membership, and
b) we now know of cases of workplace transmission, which is something that we fortunately did not face in wave one. This may bring us new issues to deal with.
Support Postal Banking - Download and Sign the Petition
Canada needs a postal bank. Thousands of rural towns and villages in our country do not have a bank, but many of them have a post office that could provide financial services. As well, nearly two million Canadians desperately need an alternative to payday lenders. A postal bank could be that alternative. Download and sign the petition urging the Government of Canada to instruct Canada Post to add postal banking, with a mandate for financial inclusion.
Tomorrow, August 20, your Negotiating Committee will return to the bargaining table to present new global offers for both postal bargaining units to Canada Post.
Unfortunately, our scheduled meetings for Friday, August 15th and Monday, August 18th, have been postponed. The Federal mediators will not be able to assist CUPW and CPC due to their current involvement in the Air Canada negotiations.
This September, CUPW joins its Malayali brothers and sisters with joy and pride to observe Onam celebrations in Canada. Onam is one of the most significant regional festivals celebrated in Kerala, the southernmost state of India.
After pressing the Employer to come back to the bargaining table early last week, we received a response from Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger on Friday evening, just hours after we posted Bulletin 128, “CUPW is Waiting for Canada Post.” In his letter, Mr. Ettinger stuck to the lines we’ve heard from Canada Post for many months now.
A week ago, CUPW members spoke loudly and rejected what Canada Post called its “best and final” offers. The goal of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers remains negotiating ratifiable collective agreements which meet postal workers’ needs, help grow the current services provided by a public post office and to better serve Canadians with new services.