(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

no risk to the community

Canada Post confirms three COVID-19 cases at Red Deer facility

Oct 15, 2020 | 2:31 PM

Canada Post has confirmed three cases of COVID-19 amongst staff at its Red Deer processing facility.

The crown corporation says three employees working separately have informed their employer of positive test results.

In an email, Canada Post states that it believes the infections were contracted outside the workplace.

Physical distancing, staggered start times, increased cleaning and availability of safety equipment are among the precautions being taken, Canada Post says in its statement, adding that face coverings have been provided and are strongly encouraged.

“We regularly talk to employees, reminding them to do a mandatory self-assessment for symptoms before arriving for work, and work closely with union officials at the local level to address concerns and evolve our approach as guidance evolves” the statement reads. “This approach, including other measures, has helped us to keep people safe while maintaining an essential service to Canadians.”

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Canada Post says it is following all guidance of Alberta Health to inform employees, support contact tracing, and conduct thorough sanitization.

Meanwhile, the three temporary workers are facing lost wages after Canada Post refused a request from the union earlier this year to include them in compensation measures.

“We see this is a bit of a failure,” says Dave Lambert, Regional Education and Organization Officer, Prairie Region, Canada Union of Postal Workers.

“We fought very hard to make sure all our members would be covered and have pay, temporary worker or otherwise. Now, those workers are disincentivized to not report to work, even when they have symptoms. Temporary workers have families and bills to pay. So now, they have to access federal assistance, what was previously CERB, for wage loss replacement, whereas regular employees could apply for leave under our collective agreement.”

Lambert says there have been no further positive results since the last one three days ago. However, seven other postal workers and three supervisors are also isolating as a precautionary measure.

According to Lambert, there is a belief from the union’s side that there may have in fact been transmission within the workplace, which he says would be the first case in western Canada involving postal workers.

“The messaging has always been that everybody plays a role in safety,” he says, noting that both the union and the employer have provided workers with reusable masks. “What I think we’re seeing in Red Deer is a little bit of a laxing of protocols where probably some errors were made and played a part in this.”

It shouldn’t be all about finger pointing between union and management, Lambert continues.

“We just have to figure out the best way of moving forward, but we’re seeing COVID now become part of everybody’s daily routine, and when you’re not hearing about it happen to or around you, there’s a tendency to become lax on some measures.”

On CanadaPost.ca, it states that the World Health Organization and Public Health Agency of Canada have assured the crown corporation it is safe to handle mail, including international mail, and that there is poor survivability of coronaviruses on surfaces.

CUPW Local 818 Red Deer represents about 150 workers in the city.