OTTAWA, Oct. 24 /CNW/ - Dale Clark, National President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) issued the following statement this morning.

"We at the Canadian Union of Postal Workers received the news of the death of two postal workers in the United States with both grief and outrage. On behalf of the entire CUPW membership, I offer our condolences and support to American postal unions.

"In light of the recent events in the American postal service, CUPW asked Canada Post Corporation (CPC) to develop a contingency plan that would deal with an occurrence of anthrax in our postal system. We asked that CPC develop plans that would fully protect the health and safety of post office workers and the public. We stated that Canadian authorities must learn from the tragic errors that were made in the United States where postal workers were not given immediate medical attention. And we stated that we expect, in the event of an actual anthrax occurrence, that the health of post office workers and the public will receive top priority.

"Last evening, we received assurances from Canada Post management that the corporation will take all precautions necessary to safeguard the health and safety of employees and the public. CPC outlined their planned course of action in the case of a confirmed anthrax occurrence. We are generally pleased with the plans as described, but of course it is the successful execution of these plans that will guarantee the safety of postal workers and the public. It's the union's job to make sure that the post office follows through on its promises. We have also made it clear that if the emergency measures are not executed promptly, we will instruct our members to exercise their right to refuse to do dangerous work.

"Although there has not been a single case of anthrax in Canada, it is nonetheless important that postal workers make a special effort to work safely and be vigilant during this period. The union will continue to work to ensure that the health and safety of workers and the public remain the top priority."

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