April 9, 2020 by 1996-O Executive

Unifor celebrates World Health Day and Year of the Nurse

Unifor celebrates health care workers on April 7, 2020 for World Health Day, recognizing the special sacrifices these workers are making right now as they fight on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Workers in health care professions face incredible challenges with bravery and determination on a daily basis, and never in our lifetimes has that bravery been more evident,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Thank you, on World Health Day, and every day to Unifor nurses and health care workers, and all health workers across the country.”

World Health Day is led by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an annual day of recognition to those working in health care. This year, it is also part of a larger campaign to recognize nurses and midwives: The Year of the Nurse. Unifor represents more than 25,000 workers in health care, many of whom are Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs).

“As a nurse, it has meant the world to me to work with my union to help provincial and federal governments better understand the needs of today’s care teams, and in particular, the struggles we face in regions where public health funding is inadequate or faces cutbacks,” said Katha Fortier, Assistant to the National President. “Nurses are the heart, soul, muscle and grit in our health care system and we owe them a deep gratitude for their tireless work, especially right now.”

Now, more than ever, Canadians depend on the care nurses provide and recognize the risks they face on a daily basis.

“As Canada grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is particularly important to protect and value nurses who will be on the front lines to combat the spread of this virus and treat those who fall ill,” said Fortier.

Show your gratitude by sharing World Health Day graphics.

More information about the Year of the Nurse and World Health Day can be found on the WHO website.

April 9, 2020 by 1996-O Executive

Ford workers in Windsor make face shields to fight COVID-19

Workers at Ford Canada in Windsor are making a difference in the fight to flatten the COVID-19 curve by manufacturing face shields for health care workers and first responders.

More than a dozen workers are part of the effort and can produce up to 200 face shields per day. All workers are manufacturing the shields safely under strict social distancing requirements mandated by medical authorities.

“This is a proud moment for our union and our members in the auto sector who are coming together for their community and their country at this critical moment,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Our members in Windsor are among the most giving and caring people in the country who time and time again act selflessly and generously to help out in any way they can.”

Nearly 4,000 face shields have already been produced and delivered to health care facilities across Windsor-Essex county, including 300 to Aspen Lake long-term care, 2,000 to Windsor Regional Hospital, 400 to Hotel Dieu long-term care, 800 to Leamington Hospital, 120 to the Windsor Downtown Mission, and 100 to Sunrise Senior Living.

“It’s a proud moment to be the President of this local and knowing what these workers are doing to support our frontline workers who are risking their lives everyday,” said John D’Agnolo, President of Local 200.

Workers at Ford of Canada and management have already donated medical supplies including Nitrile gloves to Brampton Civic Hospital and N95 masks to Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in Oakville.

April 9, 2020 by 1996-O Executive

Letter to Prime Minister – Don’t reward unethical employers using scabs

April 2, 2020

The Right Honourable Prime Minister Trudeau, P.C., M.P.

Prime Minister of Canada

Dear Prime Minister,

Re: Don’t reward unethical employers using scabs

I am writing to you today about the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).

First, I want to thank you for heeding the advice of organizations, including mine, which argued that the 10 per cent subsidy offered by the Temporary Wage Subsidy program was totally insufficient and its eligibility criteria far too narrow. By introducing a 75 per cent wage subsidy under the CEWS, the government will provide a far more meaningful incentive for employers to keep workers on their payroll. Other crisis measures, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, are also welcomed by workers who desperately need income support during these unprecedented times. Unifor looks forward to working with you to better tailor these programs for the needs of working people in the coming weeks and months.

As you begin to finalize the eligibility criteria for CEWS, it is important that you prohibit employers currently involved in labour disputes choosing to deploy replacement workers (aka scabs) from accessing the subsidy.

Under no circumstances can these employers be rewarded by the federal government for union-busting tactics. Should federal funds be allocated to companies benefitting from scab labour, it will only serve to prolong labour disputes, doing greater harm to local workers, their families, and their community.

Scab labour is illegal in two provinces, Québec and British Columbia, and ought to be outlawed in the federal sector, as we have discussed in the past.

Take the case of the Co-op Refinery in Regina. More than 700 Unifor members have been locked out by the employer since December 5, 2019. Co-op was quick to fly in scabs using helicopters and has chosen to house them in cheap, temporary facilities. Co-op has resisted bargaining a settlement for more than 118 days and has recently snubbed recommendations from an independent mediator appointed by Premier Scott Moe.

The obstacles facing these locked out refinery workers are many. The last thing these oil and gas workers and their families want is a generous federal subsidy directed to an inflexible and greedy employer bent on breaking their spirits.

The dreadful conditions of the crowded worksite housing is also something Unifor has raised with municipal and provincial authorities. Whatever one’s view of replacement workers, nobody deserves to be the subject of Co-op’s bizarre housing experiment during a public health crisis. Those workers should be immediately sent home to their families before an outbreak happens.

I appreciate that initiating programs such as the CEWS under an impossibly short time frame is a very challenging undertaking for policy-makers and civil servants. That said, we are proposing implementing simple criteria to prevent Canada’s most unethical employers from benefitting from emergency relief. Let’s work together to put working people first.

Sincerely,

Jerry Dias, National President

cc. The Honourable Bill Morneau, P.C., M.P., The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, P.C., M.P., The Honourable Scott Moe, M.L.A.

April 3, 2020 by 1996-O Executive

WSIB Ontario – Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) update

WSIB, Ontario

https://www.wsib.ca/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-update

How WSIB determines claims COVID-19

Helping you

We are continuing to pay all wage-loss benefits and we have ensured all loss-of-earnings (LOE) benefits are up to date. We also have staff in place to help manage any new claims as quickly as possible.

If your workplace shuts down temporarily, you will continue to receive the same benefits that you were receiving at the time of the shutdown.

We understand that people may not be able to attend, or may be uncomfortable attending, claim-related appointments. If you are unable to attend an appointment, please cancel it directly with the applicable person or organization. You do not need to contact your adjudicator/case manager to let them know. Your decision to avoid an appointment will not affect your entitlement to benefits or services.

If you are planning to attend a scheduled appointment, we suggest you call ahead to confirm or determine if a virtual option is available.

See our FAQs on claim-related questions.

WSIB financial relief package

We are offering a financial relief package to all Ontario businesses to help reduce the financial burden of the COVID-19 situation. Developed in consultation with the Government of Ontario, the package is worth up to $1.9 billion and all businesses covered by our workplace insurance are automatically eligible.

Our relief package will support businesses through this difficult time while protecting coverage for the people we serve. Benefit payments will continue for people with work related injuries or illness.

Learn more about our financial relief package for Ontario businesses.

Workplaces

While the nature of some people’s work may put them at greater risk of contracting the virus, for example those treating someone with COVID-19, any claims received by the WSIB will need to be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances.

Read more about how we make decisions about COVID-19 claims (PDF),

We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of infection. Measures developed for managing influenza outbreaks continue to be recommended by public health officials including:

practice physical distancing as much as possible
wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand, and wash hands afterward
avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
clean high-touch surfaces frequently

Further information on preparing workplaces for COVID-19  (PDF)  is available from the WHO.

The WSIB continues to actively monitor the guidance of provincial and national health authorities, including the  Ontario Ministry of Health and the  Public Health Agency of Canada, with regard to COVID-19.

April 2, 2020 by 1996-O Executive

COVID-19 Information & Resources

Unifor Federal Pandemic Policy Demands (Revised March 26, 2020)

Read the demands.

Unifor Provincial Pandemic Policy Demands (Revised March 27, 2020)

Read the demands.

*NEW* FAQ on the New Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

This short FAQ includes all information known about the program, its eligibility rules and anticipated payment schedules, as outlined in Bill C-13. Read the FAQ.

Protecting Workers from the COVID-19 Virus Factsheet

Get the health and safety factsheet

Basic Health and Safety during COVID-19

Get the factsheet

E.I Information for Unifor Members

Applying for employment insurance: a how-to guide for Unifor members

During this extraordinary economic situation, workers may be applying for regular EI benefits for the first time. For some applicants, the process can be challenging. To assist, Unifor has prepared the following “How-To” guide that takes you through the online application process, step-by-step. Read the guide.

Additional information:

E.I. Sick Benefits Factsheet Get the sick benefits factsheet
E.I. Regular Benefits Factsheet Get the E.I. factsheet
E.I. Work Sharing Factsheet Get the work sharing factsheet
E.I. Vacation Pay Factsheet Get the vacation pay factsheet

Frequently Asked Questions About Income Supports and Sickness Leave

Full-time Workers – Get the factsheet
Part-time Workers – Get the factsheet
Seasonal Workers – Get the factsheet
Gig Workers – Get the factsheet
Self Employed Workers – Get the factsheet

Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 (March 28, 2020)

Download the FAQ

COVID-19 and Pensions

Download the FAQ

COVID-19 Checklist for income replacement (March 15, 2020)

Download the income replacement checklist

Leaves relevant to COVID-19

Download the chart

Template letter to employers and managers

If your employer or workplace manager has not yet taken action to address the COVID-19 pandemic, use this template letter to request a meeting or modified workplace practices to ensure the health and safety of all workers.

Mental Health Contact Sheet

Use this editable PDF document to share relevant mental health resources and contacts with your peers.

Public Health Canada is your most reliable source for medical information about COVID-19 prevention measures, symptoms, and preparedness plans. You will find a complete list of resources including updates on the government’s responses on their website.