CUPE is calling on the federal government to immediately deliver on measures to protect workers who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. CUPE expressed disappointment that today’s announcements from Prime Minister Trudeau and a suite of senior ministers focused solely on border and travel issues, and did nothing to address the myriad of critical issues affecting Canadian workers.
“CUPE members are the health care workers, the paramedics, and the social services workers who are on the front lines keeping our communities safe and healthy through this crisis,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “They are also the public transportation workers and flight attendants who are getting workers where they need to be to keep our country going. They were expecting to hear from their government today that their health and their livelihoods would be protected – instead, they are left waiting, yet again. That’s not acceptable.”
CUPE has echoed calls from the Canadian Labour Congress for the federal government to expand paid sick leave, access to EI, and waiving doctor’s note requirements, among other measures.
“In a public health crisis of this scale, the economic questions facing workers are also public health issues,” said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury. “Canadian workers are asking, if they stay home, will they be able to put food on the table, and if they go to work, do they run the risk of getting sick. Workers need answers to these basic questions.”