Month: April 2020

Action for your members on Pandemic Pay ($4.00 an hour temporary top-up) 
We have received this email message from The OCHU executive:

Dear sisters and brothers,
As you know, the Ontario government announced a Pandemic Pay top-up of $4.00 an hour until August 12. We have been lobbying hard at the Ministry of Health and Treasury Board and have expanded the list of facilities covered to all hospitals and all of long term care.
We have been lobbying the government also to expand the list of classifications covered to include clerical and administrative/maintenance/labs/pharmacy/stores/mdrd and others. We have yet to see an updated list of classifications covered, we expect that to be released in the next few days,
In the meantime, please ask any of your members who are concerned they are not covered to click on the link below to send a message to Premier Ford.We are also asking your members who are are covered to write and urge the government to cover their co-workers.This link is on the OCHU website, but the link is also below.Please get your members to fill this out and send it in. It will help.In solidarity,Michael, Louis, and Sharon
Link is live here: https://ochu.on.ca/2020/04/30/pandemic-pay/

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO FOLLOW THIS PROCESS!

Hi everyone,

There are going to be two membership townhall calls for the healthcare sector this week to update members on recent developments including the provincial wage subsidy.

Here are call-in details you are encouraged to call in.

Home Care Membership Townhall:

Wednesday April 29^th

5:45 pm EST

Long-Term Care/OCHU Membership Townhall:

Thursday April 30^th

5:55 pm EST

COVID-19 Right to Refuse Unsafe Work Guide and Process
Please find in Resources guidance notes and procedures on the right to refuse work where health and safety is in danger.

The National President’s Office approved the bylaws as amended, please find them in the Resources section of the website.

In follow up to the Membership Meeting discussion yesterday around testing and the requirement to return to work please see the attached document from the Ministry of Health which states this (along with more information):

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_testing_clearing_cases_guidance.pdf

“For health care workers that are agreed to be critical to operations by all parties, earlier return to work may be permitted under work self-isolation. This means maintaining isolation outside of work until 14 days after symptom onset (or until 2 negative swabs) but continuing to work while wearing appropriate PPE at work, and not working in multiple locations.” www.health.gov.on.ca

This change in practice of working while waiting for COVID-19 test results has changed as of April 10, 2020. This is understandable, as it would mean there would be no staff to work if they did not make this change as outbreaks are on the rise across the Province. Though this change is alarming to read and hear, it stresses the important role PPE plays in keeping yourself safe as well as residents/patients who are positive.

If you feel unsure or want more clarity around testing/self-isolation as discussed at our meeting we encourage you to contact Public Health directly: 1-866-797-000 or 416-338-7600

Please continue to work safely, follow and seek appropriate PPE when required, monitor Unity Health intranet and 5441.cupe.ca/resources for updates, and recommendations.

Title: CUPE 5441 Executive Chief Steward changed to Executive Grievance Officer

Special Announcement:
Please note that Mailo Padillo has resigned and is no longer Executive Chief Steward for Local 5441 as of April 1, 2020.

In consultation with our CUPE National Representative, and CUPE National President’s Office, Roy Vargas has been appointed as the Interim Executive Grievance Officer until elections take their normal course in November 2020.
Roy can be reached at the same email address and phone number found on 5441.cupe.ca/contact-us 

During this difficult time of staffing shortages and an Emergency Order by the province that gives the Hospital power to supersede our Collective Agreement when it comes to leaves of absences, scheduling, etc. – we are doing our best to work on releasing our Interim Executive Grievance Officer. As such, kindly note that Roy will be working on a limited basis until mid-June 2020.

If you have any Grievance related matters please continue to contact your Lead Stewards and Site Vice Presidents assigned to your Hospital. We encourage you to do so until we announce that our Interim Executive Grievance Officer is able to function to the full capacity of the office.

Please be assured as an Executive we are working together to ensure that Grievances are being followed up on and handled appropriately during this time of transition.

If you have any questions related to this special announcement please email them to my attention.

President
CUPE Local 5441
Union Email: president@cupe5441.ca

Notice of Membership Meeting

Wednesday April 15, 2020

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Please note that we have taken the steps to have our General Membership Meetings streamed virtually in light of the circumstances within our Province. To connect to the meeting virtually, you will be emailed a link to Zoom.

If you have any anxiety or have any other concerns during this pandemic, please call:
Employee Assistance Program: 866-606-6367

There are five separate posts on the Resources section with valuable information regarding COVID-19 and how it can effect yourself, the workplace, and the community.