Canada Post vaccine mandate is ‘coercive,’ say letter carriers at Mississauga protest

Dozens of postal workers gathered outside their union office in Mississauga this morning to protest Canada Post’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate that will see those who don’t comply suspended without pay. 

The group of letter carriers and other workers demonstrated outside the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Airport Rd. offices from about 10 a.m. onwards. 

They say they’re dissatisfied with the company’s vaccine mandate, which forced them to disclose their vaccination status by this past Friday or face suspensions without pay starting Nov. 26. 

Several letter carriers said they’re not necessarily opposed to COVID-19 vaccinations, but they’re strongly against being told they must disclose their medical information and become fully vaccinated against the virus. 

One letter carrier, who’s been on the job for 20 years, described the Canada Post vaccine mandate as “coercive” and said it’s left many workers worried that they’ll be without pay as the holidays fast approach. 

Update: Nov 4, 2021
CUPW is currently working on a National Grievance to challenge Canada Post’s vaccination practice. The practice will result in some members being placed on Leave Without Pay after Nov 26, 2021. More info & local directives to be shared shortly. pic.twitter.com/3tKIeIjxba

— CUPW (@cupw) November 4, 2021

Under the vaccine policy, those who refuse to disclose their vaccination status or who don’t have at least one shot or show a valid reason for exemption by Nov. 26 can be suspended without pay. 

Workers say they’ve been told if they get one shot by Nov. 26, the deadline for full vaccination can be extended for them to Jan. 29. 

Canada Post workers protesting mandate: Agree that employers are not entitled to worker health info and confidentiality must be maintained. In pandemic situation, a one-time exemption s/b made on vaccine status to ensure everyone is safe.

— magenta72 (@valleylily56) November 15, 2021