Please visit the resources below:

 

COVID-19 Web Page

Visit www.unifor.org/covid19 for the most up to date union information, resources, and news on the coronavirus. At this point in the crisis, new information is posted daily, including a growing list of sector-specific backgrounders.

COVID-19 Checklist for income replacement

This checklist sets out the possible measures that may be available for income replacement events including; sickness cue to COVID-19, isolation or quarantine, family care obligations, and layoff or business closures.

Download the checklist (PDF)

Sources: WHO, Ontario Government etc

https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/210

https://www.who.int/

coronavirus Fact sheet

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Search your H/S Co-Chair here…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Solidarity,

Lee, Sanjay, Brian, Chris

The race to produce vital medical supplies to combat COVID-19 has brought together workers across Canada in unprecedented ways. With a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) around the globe and a lack of Canadian manufacturing capacity to make up the difference, Ontario’s health care workers and first responders found unlikely allies in the auto parts supplier industry.

Workers at Woodbridge Foam in Vaughn typically produce molded foam products for car seats, arm rests, and vehicle headliners but are now on the job producing medical-grade surgical face masks. Unifor Local 112 represents nearly 200 workers and members are enthusiastic at the opportunity to help make a difference in the ongoing pandemic.

The prototype masks were developed in partnership with researchers at McMaster University’s Engineering and Medical Schools. The Woodbridge-produced masks are currently designated as ASTM Level 3 masks at present but are shown to filter pathogens and may pass further regulatory approval to a higher classification.

“This global shortage of medical supplies has shown us the dangers of hollowing out our manufacturing sector. We have the talent and the tools to build what we need in our own backyard,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Thanks to the heroic efforts of our members at Woodbridge Foam, we are now able to produce millions of high-quality Ontario-made masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The first prototype mask was delivered to McMaster University on March 28,2020 for analysis by researchers assisting in the design and certification of the masks. By April 7, 2020 Premier Doug Ford was at the Woodbridge Foam facility to help load the first 1,000 masks produced by workers. At full capacity, the facility can potentially manufacture up to one million masks per week.

“I’m very proud of our Local 112 members for working so hard and so fast to help so many health care workers. We will long remember the actions of our members and that they were here for all when we needed them,” said Scott McIlmoyle, Unifor Local 112 President. “We are thrilled at the chance to help out and relieve the shortage of vital personal protective equipment,” added John Turner, Unifor Local 112 Vice President.

The next phase of Health Canada’s certification of Woodbridge Foam’s masks will determine whether they qualify as N95 masks. The designation would allow for wider use of the masks in health care settings.

April 15, 2020

TORONTO– Unifor calls expanded access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) a positive step but says that additional support measures are needed for essential workers.

“This increased access will provide benefit to tens of thousands of Unifor members, currently excluded from the CERB,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

Today the government announced an extension of the CERB program to include seasonal workers, those with expiring Employment Insurance claims as well as individuals still receiving modest employment income.

The government also announced a wage top up for essential workers, which will likely include health care workers and supermarket workers that make less than $2,500 a month. Unifor maintains that the government’s move to provide additional wage enhancements for workers is a good start, but falls far short on having any real impact on front-line COVID workers.

“These workers continue to go to work each day despite the risk to themselves and to their families,” said Dias. “The sad reality is that while these workers are now recognized as essential, many barely earn a living wage and this will offer them no wage enhancement whatsoever.”

Unifor has been calling on individual employers to provide wage enhancements for essential workers in multiple sectors including health and retail. Last month the union achieved agreements with Rexall, Loblaw, Metro and Sobeys to provide a $2 dollar wage premium and enhanced health and safety measures to its retail members. Only about fifteen individual agreements have been reached in other critical sectors, including at specific long-term care homes.

“On behalf of these workers I have stressed the need for fair compensation in conversations with the Prime Minister’s Office,” Dias said. “We need to broaden this much-needed wage premium to make it easier for all front-line workers to continue to deliver the crucial services that we rely on.”

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

Information about the union’s response to the pandemic, as well as resources for members can be found at unifor.org/COVID19.