Member Update #14 - COVID-19 - Temporary Layoffs
November 28, 2020 at 8:53 PM
This past week has been a difficult one for our Local with the announced layoffs of 600 CUPE 500 members in the Community Services Department - City of Winnipeg.
The City has indicated that these layoffs are the result of insufficient work due to facility closures and postponement of programming as per provincial health orders.
“The Local will do everything we can to protect and support our members, many of whom are facing their second layoff in six months,” said Local 500 President Gord Delbridge. “Our main priority is to explore all options to keep our members working. Now, more then ever, we need to focus on community, not cuts, as we continue our fight against this global pandemic.”
While plans were announced that city staff could be redeployed to support the provincial government’s pandemic efforts, those plans failed to materialize.
“We were under the impression that there was a deal in place with the province to provide alternative work,” said Delbridge. “However, it appears the Pallister government isn't going to follow through. This is very disappointing to say the least.”
CUPE will continue to call on the City to find ways to keep employees working and providing services to our community. Until we learn more, please see the following information regarding available financial resources.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us via email: union@cupe500.mb.ca or phone: 204-942-1001.
Letter of Understanding - Seasonal/Temporary Staff
CUPE 500 members are eligible to apply for employment with other civic departments as per the Letter of Understanding Re: Seasonal and Temporary Staff. You can register with the Corporate Staffing Branch by emailing the registration form provided by your department along with your resume to diversity@winnipeg.ca.
Available Financial Resources:
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB). The CRB provides income support to workers who are directly affected by COVID-19.
You can click here for more information about the CRB, EI and other benefits available from the government of Canada's Covid-19 Economic Response Plan.
Supplementary Unemployment Benefit Plan (SUBP)
To help reduce the economic hardship on our members and their families, CUPE 500 has worked with the employer to develop a Supplementary Unemployment Benefits Plan (SUBP). The SUBP will provide employees in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to receive a top up to 75% of their salary for each week that an employee is laid off, up to a maximum of four (4) weeks.
Members electing to receive the EI top up must complete the EI top up pay declaration form as provided by the employer.
Community Unemployed Help Centre
The Community Unemployed Help Centre provides information, assistance, advice, and representation to individuals dealing with the federal government's Employment Insurance program.
