Mandatory CPC Face Covering

On March 12, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) issued a direction in writing to the Canada Post Corporation (CPC) following an inspection conducted at the Montreal Bridge Depot, in Quebec

According to ESDC, Canada Post failed to ensure that the face coverings worn by employees were in compliance with the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Canada, i.e. a two-layer face covering (or non-medical mask) with a third filtering layer or a medical mask, also known as a procedure mask (disposable blue mask).

As a result, ESDC issued a direction in writing instructing CPC to end the violation by March 31, 2021.

This measure is to be implemented at all CPC’s workplaces in Canada.

In order to comply with the direction, CPC will require all employees and contractors working for the Corporation, regardless of location, to wear the CPC supplied 3-ply face covering that is certified compliant with the Public Health Standard of Canada.

Following a meeting with the ESDC representative, to which CUPW participated, the Corporation indicated that the implementation of the direction for March 31, 2021 was impossible due to low inventories in the facilities. Instead, CPC proposed a plan for the deployment and distribution of masks and face coverings that was accepted by ESDC.

These face coverings will be distributed in 3 phases:

1. All CPC’s plants (sorting centers) will receive them in early April and must be available to employees by April 12, 2021.

2. All other collection and delivery facilities will receive the face coverings in mid-April and must be available to employees by April 26, 2021.

3. The third phase is for the remaining 4,000 CPC employees (e.g. administrative, engineers, and others). By May 3, 2021, the face coverings will be available to everyone.

If for any reason, some of our members cannot wear the cloth masks, the employer will provide, upon request and with no questions asked, medical procedure masks in compliance with ASTM F2100 or European standard EN 14683. Levels 1-2 and 3 are acceptable. Medical masks (blue disposable masks) must be available in the workplace pending receipt of two-layer face masks with a third filtering layer.

If you have any questions, please contact your local union representatives.

In Solidarity,