The Short Term Disability Plan (STDP) is a 30-week program. As per article 20.10 (g) of the Urban Collective Agreement and article 30.10 (f) of the Rural Suburban Mail Carriers Collective Agreement, at week 16, you have to apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.
Due to the government’s implementation of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), anyone applying for EI sickness benefits through Service Canada will automatically receive the CERB benefit. The rules surrounding the CERB has an impact on the top up sub-plan payments, as they are not applicable to the CERB.
Based on the changes made to EI, Canada Post Corporation (CPC) and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have agreed on a without prejudice or precedent basis to article 20.10 (g) and 30.10 (f) being put on hold until Service Canada restarts the EI sickness benefits and/or the CERB ends.
We have agreed that CPC will continue to pay the full STDP at 70% at week 16, or 95% if you have top up credits available. CPC will send out a letter at week 13 asking that you do not apply for EI sickness benefits “until further notice.”
Should changes occur throughout the 30-week program, such as EI sickness benefits restarting and/or the CERB ending, CPC will contact you and ask you to apply for the EI sickness benefits.
If you require any further information or have any further questions, please contact your local or region.
In solidarity,
Rona Eckert
National Union representative – Consultation