Monday January 18 2021
The core value of any union is being there for each other when help is needed. It couldn’t be truer than on the morning of January 5, 2021.
George Tomaszewski, a postal worker for over 45 years, stepped outside of his Scarborough, Ontario facility to have a cigarette. He then collapsed and struck his head.
A co-worker, John Greer, immediately intervened. Brother Greer, who has worked at Canada Post since 2016, is a trained first aider. He started chest compressions after detecting no pulse nor any breathing. While he was administrating CPR, another co-worker, also a first aider, ran inside the facility to get the AED/defibrillator.
Emergency Medical Services arrived at the scene soon after, took charge, and saved our co-worker.
I’m happy to share that Brother Tomaszewski is now stable and recovering after going through two cardiac arrests.
We send all our positive thoughts to Brother Tomaszewski and his family for a prompt recovery.
Brother Tomaszewski has been involved with the local union as first vice president in charge of health and safety for many years. He is also an organizer for the Labour Day Parade.
He represents the essence of our core value: help each other.
Doctors at the hospital informed Brother Tomaszewski’s partner that the quick response of Brother John Greer saved his life. If not for the first aid training, Brother Tomaszewski would not have made it.
When we volunteer to be a first aider, we never expect to actually intervene for an emergency, but on the morning of January 5, timely reaction, calmness under pressure, and knowledge were crucial to save a life.
CUPW salutes the courage, the determination and the act of solidarity of Brother John Greer and the other members who contributed to saving a life.
Consider a first aid training or get involved in your union to help your co-workers.
Keep being there for each other.
*Special thanks to Brother Mike Duquette for his contribution to this bulletin.
In solidarity,
Marc Roussel
National Union Representative – Health and Safety