CUPE has provided a couple of updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The update from the Legislative Coordinator includes recent decisions and activities in the BC government.
CUPE National has prepared a FAQ addressing some of the most common questions about employer obligations and the duty to accommodate workers in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.
CUPE-Legislative-Coordinator_Update_June_3_2020
FAQ_Return_to_Work_2020_06_03_EN
WorkSafeBC has created a COVID-19 Safety Plan for employers resuming operations after work interruptions related to the pandemic. While this planning tool was designed for employers, it is beneficial for employees as well. We encourage CUPE 2081 members to take a look at the plan.
Download: COVID-19_Safety Plan_WorkSafeBC
We have ratified a new collective agreement: 97.7% approval.
Thank you to everyone who voted! Our Labour Relations Officer will begin working with the college on the implementation of retro pay and the coming wage increase for 2020.
Well done! We thank you for your participation and thoughtful questions. Electronic voting is a new forum but it was a resounding success!
An update regarding employment continuity for the public sector
390855_Post-April Memo to EAs-Crown Agencies_FINAL_2020-04-27
BC Update: We now have 2,053 cases in BC, up 329 since last week. There have been 105 deaths due to COVID-19. Most of the new cases are related to outbreaks at chicken processing facilities. Only 94 people are in hospital due to the virus, of which 37 are in intensive care. … Read more…
To support parents who are essential service workers during the response to COVID-19, the Province is launching a new process.
This process will match parents, who are working on the front lines of B.C.’s COVID-19 response and have children up to five years of age, with child care in their communities.
Essential workers can now fill out a new “parent” form to identify their need for urgent child care: www.gov.bc.ca/essential-service-child-care Or access by calling 1-888-338-6622 and selecting option 4.
For more info, go the Government of B.C. website.
Orders from the provincial health officer (PHO) and guidance to employers and businesses provided by the BC Centre of Disease Control represent the minimum standard that employers must meet, to comply with obligations to ensure worker health and safety.
WorkSafeBC has provided a guide for employers to prevent COVID-19 exposure in the workplace:
Via Erynne Grant, CUPE 2081 Labour Relations Officer
As we come to the end of the second full week of this new working world, I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your commitment, compassion and continued solidarity. We appear to be in this for some time yet.
Our Facilities staff are reporting to work, on campus, and for them, particular recognition is due. The transition to online course delivery has skyrocketed the volume of support work for our already high performing D2L team. Financial Aid, Registration and Admissions, normally meet face to face with students. They are working to provide the same high value service in a new digital environment. Payroll continues to work under unusual conditions, closing the fiscal year and ensuring our financial responsibilities continue, on behalf of the College. Everyone is adapting and making the best of a very challenging situation.
Everyone has shown dedication, professionalism and the best of our CUPE 2081 community. We ‘changed faster‘ and we model resilience everyday. We are CUPE 2081!
Read on for some reminders and updates. … Read more…
CUPE National has provided the following updates and resources for members.
Highlights of the March 2020 National Executive Board meeting
National President’s Report and National Secretary-Treasurer’s Report to the March 2020 National Executive Board meeting
Information sheet – Income supports for workers during the Coronavirus pandemic
For members who may be facing reductions in income as a result of COVID-19.
Highlights of the March 2020 National Executive Board meeting
Economy at Work – CUPE’s economic and bargaining newsletter
A bargaining reference tool to provide accessible information and analysis of economic developments.
The right to refuse unsafe work is one of the three basic health and safety rights achieved by the labour movement, along with the right to know about the hazards in your workplace and the right to participate in workplace health and safety decisions.
CUPE has prepared a FAQ bulletin for workers’ health and safety concerns in the face of COVID-19: H&S_COVID-19_COVID-19-Right-to-Refuse-in-BC-FAQ-25Mar2020.