COVID-19 UPDATE #6 from CUPE 500
March 24, 2020 at 2:31 PM
Without a doubt we are facing challenging times. As we continue to navigate through this pandemic, please be assured that your union has been working with your employers to:
- promote measures such as working-from-home wherever possible;
- ensure health and safety measures are being taken by the employer to limit the spread of COVID-19 at the workplace (i.e. social distancing and appropriate hygiene procedures);
- minimize the impact to those who may have no choice but to stay home.
Over the coming weeks, we'll continue to provide you with any new or relevant information that becomes available.
Since our last update to you:
Since our last update to you:
- The federal government has announced significant economic measures to help Canadians impacted by the new coronavirus pandemic. This includes direct financial support for workers who wouldn't ordinarily qualify for employment insurance benefits and funding for those who are laid off or face reduced work hours because of the virus. For more information, visit: www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
- The City of Winnipeg has suspended non-essential in home appointments, further reduced non-essential services and closed several front-line service counters;
- The Province of Manitoba has declared a state of emergency to protect the public, reduce the spread of COVD-19.
- CUPE Manitoba has launched an online letter-writing campaign to the Premier calling for fourteen (14) paid sick days for all Manitoba workers during COVID-19. Almost 1,000 letters were sent to the Premier this past weekend.
- The Manitoba government is investing $27.6 million to help provide child care to essential front-line workers as they support the province's COVID-19 response,
As you are aware, many city-operated facilities such as libraries and recreation centres are closed to the public. At this time, all employees continue to report to work (unless informed otherwise) while following public health guidelines. Many of our members have been contacting us to share your workplace concerns. We are working to resolve these issues by communicating your concerns to the employer.
We also remind all members that it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure the health and safety of their employees. If you have concerns over the measures your employer is taking in response to COVID-19, you should raise them with your supervisor, or health and safety representatives. If you are unable to resolve your issue with your supervisor, please contact your union shop steward or email us: union@cupe500.mb.ca.
For more information, about CUPE's general occupational guidelines for COVID-19, you can click here.
Essential Services
Members have been asking if their positions will be deemed as essential. We are currently in discussions with the City regarding this issue, and will provide an update as soon as more information becomes available.
Other Questions/Concerns:
We appreciate your patience as we deal with a large amount of COVID-19 questions coming into the Local 500 office. Please continue to send any concerns or questions to union@cupe500.mb.ca or call us at 204-942-1001.
We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook and visit the website at https://cupe500.mb.ca for further updates.
Where Can I Get Support?
Please make use of your employee assistance program (EAP) or employee family assistance program (EFAP). You can also check out the Canadian Mental Health - Manitoba resource page for more resources on mental health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
You all play a vital role in our community! Thank you!
Take care - we are all in this together!
Take care - we are all in this together!
