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 29th
5:45 pm EST
Long-Term Care/OCHU Membership Townhall:
Thursday April 30th
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):
“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.
Special Membership Meeting:
PROPOSED BY-LAWS
MONDAY
APRIL 6, 2020
4PM TO 6PM
Video Conference
Zoom details will be sent via email.
On Monday April 6, 2020 there will be an on-line meeting regarding the proposed By-laws for CUPE Local 5441.
Discussions will be strictly on the
Proposed By-laws and amendments
A draft of the By-Laws is available here:
The Emergency Care Benefit and the Emergency Support Benefit have been merged into the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The CERB has also been better integrated with Employment Insurance to allow workers to apply for benefits through a single window.
https://cupe.ca/canada-emergency-response-benefit-qa
cupe.ca
As many of you are aware there are daily changes happening across all sites within Unity Health Toronto.
The most recent update is on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) that was passed yesterday.
This CERB is back-dated to March 15, 2020 and lasts for 4 months.
Details about how to apply and what proof will be needed for childcare claims is still to come. However, this is great information on provincial benefits for those who are accessing income replacement, especially if you are part-time/casual.
Please click this link for more information on the CERB and how to apply: https://cupe.ca/canada-emergency-response-benefit-qa
In addition, to this link, we also want to take a moment to comment on the Emergency Provincial Order that was sent on Sunday March 22, 2020.
This Order allows Unity Health Toronto to redeploy staff where they are needed most during a 14-day period which ends on April 5, 2020. This Order may be extended for an additional 14-days by the Provincial Government.
If you have any questions around this Order please contact your site representatives on the Executive.
If you are directly affected by a redeployment it is important that you let us know immediately.
A redeployment is one or more of the following:
1) Reduction in hours (example: per day, per week)
2) Change of shifts (example: from days to evenings)
3) Change of work site (example: working at SMH instead of SJHC, or working from Home)
4) Lay off (example: asked to stay home because you are not needed, there is no work for you)
5) Performing duties outside of your normal job duties (example: Housekeeping doing Clerical duties)
6) Reduction in wages (example: paid a lower rate of pay for doing duties outside of your normal job)
Also – if you are aware of any non-union/contract employees performing duties that are normally performed by union members only please contact us.
These are challenging times, if you require any further information or have other work-related questions that we can assist you with please do not hesitate to contact an Executive representative at your site. Our contact information can be found at 5441.cupe.ca/contact-us
We encourage all to stay safe and vigilant as we work through this difficult time together.
Working together for you always,
CUPE Local 5441 Executive Board