Sisters, Brothers and Friends: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, with public health agencies providing updates and new guidelines and restrictions almost daily. All regions are now recommending social distancing measures, including restricting public gatherings. CUPE locals, councils, and divisions should follow directives from the public health authorities in their region. These recommended measures will impact our regular activities, and in most cases will require locals to postpone or alter meetings. In these extraordinary times it is important to maintain good governance, accountability and transparency. With this in mind, I am providing the following guidelines to help address questions of compliance with local bylaws and CUPE’s National Constitution. Teleconferencing and Video Conferencing If necessary, where feasible, and until further notice, meetings may be conducted electronically via conference calls, telephone town halls or videoconferencing. We advise locals to explore available electronic meeting platforms. Electronic Voting Where adopting motions to conduct the regular business of the union, such as for decisions of the executive board or executive committee, voting can be done via email. Where voting must be secret, such as ratifications or job action mandates, and where votes cannot be delayed, locals can explore the possibility of using a secure and reliable electronic voting platform. Remember that some votes are also governed by labour legislation. Nominations and Elections Wherever possible, local elections should occur within the same timeframe as laid out in local bylaws. Nominations that might normally occur at a membership meeting can be done by email, and elections can be conducted electronically using a secure platform. If maintaining the existing timeframe is not feasible, the elections process can be delayed by up to one month. Postponing Meetings Where it is not possible to hold a meeting and remote solutions are not feasible, local meetings may be postponed for a period of one month. Applicable timelines in the bylaws will be extended accordingly. We will be monitoring the situation across the country and will provide updates on this timeline if necessary. Opportunities While there are many other issues facing our union right now, we encourage you to consider the challenges you might be having communicating with your members outside of the workplace. Consider using this opportunity to collect and compile personal contact information for your members. This may also be a good time to review your local’s decision making and election processes and note possible future bylaw changes. Other Issues and Exemptions Bylaws vary widely from one local to the next, and these guidelines will not address every variable. For issues not contemplated here, for questions related to council and division meetings and conventions, or to discuss possible additional exemptions, please contact your National Representative. In solidarity, MARK HANCOCK National President

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by a virus from the same family as the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) coronavirus. According to Health Canada, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that can cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.

Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Pneumonia in both lungs

Transmission

Though it has been determined that the virus can spread from person to person, how exactly the virus is transmitted remains unclear. There continues to be a debate over whether or not COVID-19 transmission is “airborne”. However, it is the position of CUPE that in the absence of a definitive proof, a conclusion that COVID-19 is “not airborne” is not appropriate and the precautionary principle should apply.

For CUPE members that are working with infected (or potentially infected people), we recommend the use of a fit-tested N95 mask and eye protection like a face shield. This includes front-line health care workers, acute care providers, paramedics, and flight attendants who deal with symptomatic passengers, just to name a few. Additional precautions should be implemented for health care workers doing patient care that requires aerosol generating procedures (such as intubation, airway suction etc.), which require higher levels of protection.

What we learned from SARS – follow the “precautionary principle”

In the aftermath of the SARS outbreak, Ontario established a commission to look at the introduction and spread of SARS.  In its final report, Commissioner Justice Archie Campbell wrote that “we cannot wait for scientific certainty before we take reasonable steps to reduce risk”.

Campbell’s report identified the precautionary principle as an approach for protecting workers in circumstances of scientific uncertainty. This reflects the need to take prudent action in the face of potentially serious viruses without having to wait for complete scientific proof that a course of action is necessary. This means that unless we know with certainty that the virus is not spread through the air, we must conduct ourselves as if it were.

Common practices still hold

To help reduce the likelihood of becoming infected by any viral infection, common practices still hold:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Practice physical distancing where possible.

Occupational safety

When new viruses are identified, employers, in consultation with their health and safety committees or worker representatives, should follow an appropriate hazard-assessment methodology that looks at the virus and considers if existing controls are appropriate. The goal of a prevention plan must be to eliminate exposure to the infectious virus as much as possible. The selection of controls should be guided by a hierarchy of controls and include both engineering and administrative controls. More information is provided in the general COVID guideline (found below).

Note: The use of surgical-type masks does not provide adequate protection from viral exposure. N95 respirators usually grant minimal protection. All workers who are fit-tested with N95 respirators must carry identification indicating the type and size of their respirator. Additionally, workers need to receive training on all aspects of personal protective equipment (putting on, wearing, removal, disposal, etc.).

What’s next?

CUPE will continue to monitor and advise our members when there are any significant changes. Please review the document below for additional information and check back frequently for updates.

COVID Employee FAQs March 18_2

Employment Opportunity

 Administrative/Financial Assistant

Temporary Position

Date of Posting:  February 24, 2020

The PEI Federation of Labour is seeking applications from qualified individuals to provide administrative/financial support to its organization. This is a temporary position with a tentative start date of March16th until August 30th 2020 with the possibility of extension.  The successful applicant will be a member of CUPE Local 1770-7.

Duties:

To provide general secretarial support including telephone/reception inquires; typing, data entry; open and sort mail; make travel arrangements; maintain up-to-date lists and records; organize meetings and events, educational sessions, and Annual Convention. Financial support includes administer of accounts, review invoices and issue payments, assist Treasurer in annual budget preparation and payroll. Other duties as assigned by President.

Qualifications:

Grade 12 graduate plus successful completion of a recognized secondary program in related field required, or a combination of related educational and experience; working knowledge and experience in computers and computer systems; WordPerfect and Microsoft software, Simply Accounting, email programs, internet and ability to post to and update Facebook page. The applicant will be well organized, work well with others, and possess strong oral and written communication skills and also work well alone.  Must be detail oriented and meet regular deadlines.  Background knowledge of the labour movement would be considered an asset.

Hours of Work:        30 hours/week (9 am – 12 noon & 1 – 4 pm) Monday to Friday

Salary:                        $18.00/hr (as per Collective Agreement)

Closing Date:            March 03, 2020

Please submit a letter of application and resume with references by March 03, 2020 to the PEI Federation of Labour, 326 Patterson Drive, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8K4 or by email at peifed@pei.aibn.com

We thank all applicants for their interest.  Only those selected for interview will be contacted.

 

 

 

 

Download and share with your coworkers the CUPE workshop Calendar here!

                       

CUPE Workshop Calendar – 2019-2020

Date / Location	Workshop	Registration Deadline	Registration Link
Oct. 26-27, 2019 CUPE Charlottetown	Introduction to Stewarding	Oct. 25, 2019	https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3062
Nov. 13-14, 2019 CUPE Charlottetown	Bargaining Program / LET How Bargaining Works, Conflict-ready Executives, Leading as a Team	Nov. 12, 2019	https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3063
Dec. 12-13, 2019 Credit Union Place Summerside, PE	Local Executive Training: Financial Essentials Financial Officer	Dec. 11, 2019	Financial Essentials https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3066 Financial Officers https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3067
Jan. 16-17, 2020 CUPE Charlottetown	Local Executive Training: Mobilizing for Bargaining and Leading as a Team	Jan. 15, 2020	https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3065
Feb. 13-14, 2020 CUPE Charlottetown	Health & Safety Modules Workload and Overwork, Violence Prevention, Making Committees Work	Feb. 12, 2020	https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3071
Mar. 7-8, 2020 Credit Union Place Summerside, PE	Transforming Conflict	March 6, 2020	https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3072
Apr. 21-22, 2020 CUPE Charlottetown	Leadership Executive Training Leadership Essentials	Apr. 20, 2020	https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3073
May 6-7, 2020 CUPE Charlottetown	Steward Learning Series Popular Economics for Stewards, What Stewards need to know about Arbitration, Understanding Mental Health	May 5, 2020	https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3074
June 4-5, 2020 CUPE Charlottetown	Respect at Work and Essentials for Inclusive Unions	June 3, 2020	https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/3074

 

 

Charlottetown – Leonard Gallant has been elected president of PEI Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Representing over 3300 members on the Island in many sectors such as municipalities, healthcare and education.

“With the current provincial minority government situation and the federal election coming up this fall, it is certainly an interesting time to become president of CUPE PEI,”  noted Leonard Gallant, president of CUPE PEI.

Gallant is a health care worker who has been an active trade unionist since the 1990’s. In addition to being CUPE PEI acting president since 2018, Gallant has been president of CUPE Local 1779 for over 12 years and has sat on various provincial and national pension committees.

“I am grateful to have obtained the confidence of CUPE members for this position,” said Gallant. “In my mandate, it is a priority for me to have the labour workers’ voices heard so politicians fight against inequalities and improve our public services,” he added.

 

Congratulations to the KOBO ereader winner at the 2019 CUPE PEI Book Drive!

Sue McAskill,Trustee Local 3373 Group Home Worker, Lives in Stratford PEI.