CUPE 1936

On March 26, 2020 the BC Government used their extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act, to issue ministerial orders to ensure a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic across all levels of government.  These orders have direct implications for workers in the Community Social Services Sector.

1. All Community Social Service Workers are Essential Service Workers under the Emergency Program Act

We have always known that the critical services and supports you provide to our most vulnerable members of British Columbia are “essential”, and of course, under the Government’s orders you have now been legally defined as essential to the functioning of our society in this pandemic.

The Government press release stated the following:

Essential services are those daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning. They are the services British Columbians rely on in their daily lives.

Developed by Emergency Management BC in consultation with other government ministries and the provincial health officer (PHO), this definition is intended to clarify what qualifies as an essential service in the context of the Province’s response to COVID-19.  In consultation with the PHO, these services should and are encouraged to remain open. They must, however, follow the orders and guidance provided by the PHO to ensure safe operations and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

The PHO has ordered some types of businesses to close. Any business or service that has not been ordered to close, and is also not identified on the essential service list, may stay open if it can adapt its services and workplace to the orders and recommendations of the PHO.

Child care providers and schools providing care and/or in-class instruction for children are to prioritize placements for those children whose parents are employed as front-line workers in public health and health services, social services, law enforcement, first responders and emergency response.

Specifically, essential services under the Emergency Program Act include all of the workers providing the services you provide in community social services.  See here for the link to the full list of workers that the Government has defined as essential to the maintenance of our Province:

 

What does it mean to be declared an essential service worker?

The work you do has been determined to be critical to the functioning of the Province and the Government has ordered that the agencies that deliver these services and supports must remain open, wherever possible.  Employers must still comply with all orders of the BC Public Health Officer the “PHO”) and with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Please watch for our reminder bulletin on your health and safety rights and obligations, which will be posted soon.

 

2. Community Social Service Workers Can Work at Multiple CSS Worksites and for Multiple Employers

We know that the PHO, some Health Authorities and Community Care licensing have provided conflicting information to employers in the community social services sector. Now we have clear direction.

If you work at a long-term care facility anywhere in BC, you cannot work at another long-term care facility anywhere else.  These are facilities that provide care to the elderly and are, typically, funded by the Ministry of Health. This order was made by the PHO to avoid the transmission of COVID-19 to vulnerable seniors in long-term care.  There are very few of these long-term care facilities in the community social services sector.

However, if you work at a long-term care facility, you are permitted to work at any other worksite in the community social services sector or elsewhere. Other than the limitation on workers working at more than one long-term care facility, workers in the community social services sector are free to work for multiple employers and to work at multiple sites.

We know that some employers have been asking you for information about other employers that you work for or have been trying to compel you to select one employer.  They cannot do this and they must cease and desist in trying to limit your employment in any way, other than mentioned above.  If an employer persists in asking you for this type of information, please contact your steward or union representative for assistance immediately.

CUPE National President Mark Hancock talks to members about strength and solidarity during these difficult times.

Click here to see the video.

We are living in unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We know you are all being inundated with multiple questions from worried and confused members and co-workers.  We understand that it is difficult to know how to respond at times or what to say.  This is normal given the situation we all find ourselves in.

CUPE Local 1936 Table Officers would like to thank each and every one of you for everything you are doing during this particularly trying time.  We want to thank you for going above and beyond in your efforts to respond to members concerns and allaying their anxiety.

We want to reassure you that we are doing everything in our power to access information and find clarity in support of each and every one of our members.  We are in regular discussions with the majority of your employers and we are also in regular discussions with the Community Social Services Bargaining Association as well as the Community Social Services Employer’s Association.

We commit to providing updates as often as possible.  These updates and information will be posted on our website in order to assist you in responding to your members and co-workers.

Thank you to each and every one of you.  We know from conversations with you that you are doing an outstanding job in reassuring CUPE Local 1936 members.  We couldn’t get through these unprecedented times without your hard work on the front-lines, as shop stewards and as workers.

In solidarity,

Sheryl Burns
Lee-Ann Lalli
Bernice Way

Your Local Executive would like to remind you that, as ordered by the Provincial Health Officer, employers are NOT ALLOWED to ask for doctor’s notes to substantiate an illness during this time.

This will remain the case until either the state of emergency has been recinded, or until Dr. Henry orders something contrary to her current order.

You can read a notice about it by clicking here.

 

CUPE Local 1936 wishes to send a message of solidarity to all our members, including members of Chinese descent, who have experienced racism as a result of people’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

No one is to blame for this pandemic.  We are all in this together and it’s important that we support one another during this unprecedented health crisis.  Racism is not an acceptable response to the COVID-10 epidemic.  If you experience a racist attack due to the coronavirus epidemic, know that CUPE BC stands with you.  If you witness a racist attack, please let the victim of this attack know you do not support racism in any way and that you support them.

Now is the time to be united. Let’s stand together.  If we support one another, we can get through this.

CUPE National has distributed a fact sheet outlining support for workers during the pandemic, which outlines the various type of support available and, in some cases, how to access it.  Please see this information by clicking here.

The local is utilizing all safe precaution measures during this time and will be cancelling our membership meetings till further notice. Please see the bulletin below for further information.
Stay safe and healthy.

Please see this important letter to all members who are covered by one of the Provincial CSS agreements by clicking here.

Dear CUPE Local 1936 Members;

As you are all aware, we are navigating unchartered waters due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

During this time, we will attempt to keep you updated as regularly as possible, as this is a rapidly evolving situation.

We urge you to be vigilant and to take extra precautions in order to keep yourselves and those around you healthy.  If Canadians and British Columbians are to be successful in our efforts to “flatten the curve” and slow the onslaught of COVID-19, we must work together.

I would encourage you to help one another whenever possible.  Assist those who are elderly and who may have compromised immune systems by offering to pick up groceries or medication for them.

The provincial and federal governments are both discouraging any non-essential travel at this time, particularly travel outside of Canada.  For those who choose to, or who absolutely must, travel outside of Canada, please follow the government’s directive to self-isolate for 14 days.  This will help keep you and others safe.

The government has now banned gatherings of more than 50 people.  Please adhere to this directive.  It is for your protection and the protection of your loved ones.

CUPE Local 1936 is concerned for your well-being, physically and financially during this difficult time.  We are reaching out to Employers to sign Letters of Understanding regarding the COVID-19 crisis.  Our goal is to ensure that those who must self-isolate will receive wage protection.

An emergency joint meeting between the Employer’s Association and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association has been scheduled for tomorrow morning.  If there are further updates after this meeting, you will be notified via the CUPE Local 1936 website.

In the meantime, please remain alert for updates and information on COVID-19 from BC’s Provincial Health Officer by clicking here and the on the BC Centre for Disease Control website.

Please contact CUPE Local 1936 should you have any concerns relating to the COVID-19 crisis and your employment.  Your Local Officers are as follows:

Sheryl Burns, President
sburns00@hotmail.com
778-231-4241

Lee-Ann Lalli, Vice-President and Grievance Officer
leeannlalli@live.ca
778-223-1554

Bernice Way, Secretary-Treasurer, Education and Grievance Officer
bway1936@gmail.com
604-781-6864

Please take care of yourselves.

Sheryl Burns
President
CUPE Local 1936

March 13^th, 2020

To all CUPE Local 1936 Members,

Given the rapidly evolving situation  COVID-19 and with an abundance of caution, Local 1936 Table Officers have made the difficult decision to cancel the March 18^th, 2020 membership meeting.

The provincial government has asked British Columbia citizens to take an active role in protecting ourselves from a COVID-19 epidemic in the hopes that proactive efforts by the citizens of British Columbia will help “flatten the curve” and slow the progress of this disease throughout our province.

The government of BC has banned all gatherings of 250 or more and has recommended against all non-essential travel outside of Canada, including the United States.  Those who chose to travel outside of Canada despite this advisory will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.

We ask that members honor these requests by the provincial government as they are doing everything in their power to protect all British Columbians from a COVID-19 epidemic.

Please take good care of yourselves and remember-wash your hands frequently.

In solidarity,

Sheryl Burns
President, CUPE Local 1936