According to the SUD PTT federation, “at least 10,000 withdrawal rights have been exercised” because of Covid-19 at La Poste. The company assures that this figure “has no basis”.
- A union announces thousands of “right of withdrawal” that postal workers would have exercised
- The postal service continues despite measures to reduce activity to protect employees
It was to be expected. The smooth running of Swiss Post has suffered from the coronavirus epidemic. Facing “lack of protection” in “presence of a deadly virus”, “at least 10,000 withdrawal rights have been exercised, many in distribution”, announced the SUD PTT federation, the company’s third union, on Monday 30 March. Questioned by AFP, the management replied that this figure “has no basis”. According to the union, “thousands of cases” of Covid-19 are “suspected” among the agents and “167 are proven” in post offices, out of 35,200 people. One “25 year old postman“would otherwise be”in a coma in Paris”. The Unsa evokes for its part “300 proven cases among postal workers”.
In an online press conference, the union accused management of doublespeak. “The company’s policy is not to contest the right of withdrawal, and at the same time to exert pressure [sur ceux qui en font l’usage] by threatening to withdraw days of wages”, accuses in particular its representative Nicolas Galepides. Furthermore, “between a third and half of La Poste’s social body [250 000 salariés] is not at work”, because of Covid-19, assures the union federation, saying it relies on “the available lifts” in the absence of an official “health report”.
To which, the management of La Poste retorts that “the employer does not have the right to collect information on the state of health of its personnel. This type of measure to fight the Covid-19 epidemic is ineffective and is not requested by the health authorities. The priority of La Poste is the health of postal workers”, assures the company, claiming to have taken “from January 2020 early, massive, systematic and concerted measures for the prevention and protection of its personnel, respecting the recommendations of the government and the health authorities”. Thus, if the postal service continues, measures to reduce activity and close post offices have been introduced.
“Very insufficient” means of protection for the union
“In the context of the health crisis, we are adapting our organization every day to ensure continuity of service while protecting the health of postal workers and their customers by limiting the number of people working outside the home. From March 27, the distribution of letters, parcels and the press will be carried out on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. This can be adapted according to local situations and their evolution. As a result of these developments, Colissimo is no longer able to guarantee the delivery time for parcels in France”is it in particular explained on the post office website.
However, for the SUD PTT union, this is not enough and the means of protection on the ground are “very insufficient”. Also, the federation has summoned the company for interim measures for “oblige him to assess the professional risks linked to the Covid-19 epidemic, identify cases of contamination” among its employees and take new, more appropriate measures accordingly. The hearing will take place on April 3.
At the same time, on the contrary, many people are shocked by La Poste’s decision to distribute newspapers only three days a week. On the Côte d’Azur, many politicians have notably accused the company of penalizing subscribers to regional daily newspapers, as related nice morning. Dominique Estrosi-Sassone, senator for the Alpes-Maritimes and vice-president of the Les Républicains group in the Senate, then wrote to the chairman and CEO of the La Poste group, Philippe Wahl, to tell him “seek clarification on the unilateral decision without notice or consultation to abandon press distribution in postal rounds.”
On his side, The Voice of Ain published an open letter Mr. Philippe Wahl to express his dissatisfaction. “BOf course, postal workers must be protected, like all employees who work and are exposed to the service of the community. And there are thousands of them continuing their work in all La Poste departments. But how to understand that this large company, emblematic of public service in the eyes of all French people, turns away from it when they need it most, especially those living in rural areas? Depending on its day of publication, your newspaper will be more or less impacted by this unacceptable measure this week.denounces in particular the newspaper.
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