POLICY 908
AIDS
Aids stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a disease caused by a virus
which leaves the body vulnerable to certain infections and cancers. Infection with AIDS
virus can take several forms and, in each form, an infected person can transmit the virus
to others.
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus which causes Aids, is transmitted through
sexual contact and exposure to infected blood or blood components, and from infected
mother to child during pregnancy and birth. HIV has been found in blood, semen, vaginal
secretions and other body fluids such as saliva, tears, breast milk, cerebral spinal fluid,
amniotic fluid and urine, and is quite likely to be found in other body fluids, secretions and
excretions. However, considerable scientific evidence to date has only shown blood,
semen, vaginal secretions and possibly breast milk to be sources of transmission.
Based on what is known today, AIDS is not spread through casual every day contact in
the workplace; nor through air, water or food; nor through touching the skin or any object
handled, touched or breathed on by a person with AIDS; not through toilet seats, drinking
fountains, telephones or swimming pools; nor through insects such as mosquitoes.
Education
Wherever possible Local Unions should use films on AIDS made by the CLC,
Federations of Labour or other acceptable sources. They are available to us for
membership meetings or through company presentations to all employees on the work
site. As soon as possible, a pamphlet will be developed by the CEP in this regard to help
the membership. Information about AIDS and the HIV virus is available from the Public
Education Sections of the Provincial Departments of Labour as well as Labour Canada.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety in Hamilton can provide any
Local Union all of the facts available and necessary to keep an educated work force and
prevent the fear and hysteria that is sometimes associated with this disease from getting
out of control.
Rights of Workers
It is clear that the rights of workers must be maintained at all times. It is the employers
responsibility to insure that all the necessary precautions are taken in any work place
where blood or blood products are part of the workers' environment. Workers in the
Health Care Field have a special set of conditions which must be met and these also are
available through Community Health Programs and Local Hospitals.
It is a worker's right to have a clean, healthy and safe workplace. Where any conditions
exist that may or even appear to put a worker at risk, an immediate contact with the
Health and Safety Committee, the Local Union and Management is the responsibility of
every officer and member of our Union.
Rights of Patients
Any person who has been in contact with the HIV Virus or AIDS and is concerned should
be immediately advised to have tests taken by competent medical authorities. Persons
with confirmed cases as carriers of the HIV Virus or AIDS should be treated with the
same confidentiality and understanding that any other person may receive in
circumstances where their health has been affected.
There is absolutely no need for any suggestion of quarantine or otherwise isolation of
workers who may have these symptoms.
There are cases where communicable diseases require quarantine but this is because of
the manner of infection that is carried with the particular communicable disease involved.
This is not the case with AIDS.
Union Philosophy
The philosophy of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union has changed
and improved working conditions and benefits for many thousands of people in Canada.
It is based on the philosophy that what we desire for ourselves we wish for others.
We have insisted that discrimination be abolished and human rights enhanced.
Our history is one of compassion with a strong social conscience for others. Our
challenge is to work with a sense of justice for all in dealing with anyone and everyone
associated with the AIDS.
The need for support is crucial. Our Union must and will offer the required support.
Sick Leave Policy
The regular sick leave as provided for in the Collective Agreement should be reviewed
particularly in regards to chronic and long term illness. The review should be to make
certain that as much as possible has been done to provide for sick leave coverage for
workers who may develop the disease at a later date.
Testing
There should be no random or mandatory or pre-employment testing of individuals by the
employer or the employer's medical staff.
Board Meeting
April 1, 1993