member update image with bullhorn

Updates from Government – Eastern and Western Health

gmcneil COVID-19 Announcements, Occupational Health & Safety

We know this is a very difficult time for public sector workers in all sectors — those on the front lines and behind the scenes, those who have been ordered to work from home, those working without child care, and those who are facing layoffs, not to mention the general anxiety as our world as we know it changes hour by hour. Staff and union executives are working very hard to make sure important information is shared with our members and that members’ concerns are responded to as quickly as possible.

I have been attending conference calls with government and other unions on a regular basis and our concerns are being heard. These meetings will continue as long as necessary as we work out the details of how this pandemic will be managed with minimal harm to public sector employees.

We appreciate everything you are doing to hold it together. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to help.

Please read the important information below for the latest updates from Eastern and Western Health.

Stay safe, and be well,

Sherry Hillier
CUPE NL President

Read More

COVID-19 and income supports for workers Q&A

gmcneil COVID-19 Fact Sheets, Occupational Health & Safety

What is your situation? 

I am an employee with COVID-19 and/or in isolation: 

  • Your employer may have a short-term disability or sick leave program that you need to apply for before applying for EI Sickness Benefits. Check your collective agreement or contact your CUPE local.
  • If you have worked more than 600 hours in the past year or since your last EI claim, you qualify for EI sickness benefits. For more information on EI Sickness Benefits, check out the section on EI below.
  • If you have not worked more than 600 hours in the past year or since your last EI claim, the federal government is providing an Emergency Care Benefit, which will provide benefits comparable to EI for up to 15 weeks. More details will be forthcoming from the Federal government.
  • Your job will be protected during this leave of absence by federal and provincial legislation.

Read More

member update image with bullhorn

Update: Eastern Health

gmcneil COVID-19 Announcements, Occupational Health & Safety

Important information from Eastern Health President and CEO, David Diamond

Please know that the leadership group at Eastern Health is committed to supporting your safety and well-being. We continue to work closely with federal and provincial organizations on pandemic planning efforts, as well as Workplace, Health and Safety, Infection Prevention and Control and other teams, within the structure of the Emergency Operations Centre to keep everyone safe. We are also connected in with the provincial government, through the Department of Health and Community Services, and are committed to regular meetings with unions to address employee issues.

Taking care of yourselves, your families and those around you is more important than ever. Please know that we are continuing to explore work for home options for those staff who are not needed in our facilities at this time, and will share more information as it becomes available. As the situation unfolds over the next days, weeks and months, I encourage you to seek assistance and/or participate in any of the following as you see necessary:

Read More

member update image with bullhorn

Precautionary principle, federal income support and provincial measures

gmcneil COVID-19 Announcements, Occupational Health & Safety

Precautionary Principle

Knowledge about how COVID-19 is transmitted has yet to be fully understood. For this reason, CUPE is recommending that health care settings adopt the precautionary principle towards infection prevention and control of COVID-19. The precautionary principle means taking action to prevent infection from potentially serious viruses without having to wait for complete scientific proof that a course of action is necessary. While there is continued uncertainty about whether or not the virus is spread through the air, we must conduct ourselves as if it is. For that reason, CUPE is recommending that health care workers who are in direct contact (within 2 meters) with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 request a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator covering the nose and mouth.

Federal Income Support

What was in the federal government’s March 18 announcement:

  • A new Emergency Care Benefit that will apply to workers who do not qualify for Employment Insurance and who are in isolation, caring for a sick family member, and/or providing childcare.
    • The benefit will provide a maximum of $450 per week for up to 15 weeks.
    • Parents who are unable to work because they need to provide childcare due to school closures are eligible even if they do qualify for EI.

Read More

Personal protective equipment

gmcneil COVID-19 Fact Sheets, Occupational Health & Safety

Fact vs Myth: Personal Protective Equipment

While our workplaces prepare to confront the threat of COVID-19 there have been many discussions around Personal Protective Equipment and the role it can play in protecting members from communicable diseases like COVID-19, especially those situations where respiratory protection is required. With these discussions occurring in many workplaces we wanted to ensure CUPE locals have a reference for understanding the options in respiratory protection devices and what their relative strengths and weaknesses are.

Types of respiratory protection

There are a number of respiratory protection products on the market. They do not all offer the same level of protection.

Read More

member update image with bullhorn

Advisory from Eastern Health on hospital appointments

gmcneil COVID-19 Announcements

The following advisory from Eastern Health contains information for CUPE members in the Eastern Health district

Eastern Health advises the public that a new temporary phone line is now available for individuals who have questions about the status of their hospital appointments.

Due to service reductions related to COVID-19 emergency planning, patients and clients can call 709-752-4500, or toll-free at 1-833-752-4500, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to inquire if their previously scheduled hospital appointment is going ahead or is cancelled; or if it is being rescheduled.

At this time, Eastern Health is focusing on the delivery of urgent and emergent services. Questions about appointments for elective and non-urgent procedures and treatments at any of Eastern Health hospitals and acute care centres should be directed to this new phone line.

Read More

member update image with bullhorn

Advisory from Eastern Health on public screening and access to facilities

gmcneil COVID-19 Announcements

The following advisory from Eastern Health contains important information for CUPE members and families in the Eastern Health district

Eastern Health advises the public that facilities within the region will begin to reduce the number of entry points, or entrances, into its facilities in an effort to manage and screen individuals upon entry. Individuals entering health-care facilities can expect to be screened for COVID-19 through a series of questions.

Eastern Health is also decreasing the number of hours that building entrances will be open, and encourages the public to check with relevant facilities before arriving to confirm hours of operation. Signage will be posted at the entrances of affected facilities displaying hours of operation, and employees reporting for work should be prepared to display their employee identification badge at building entrances.

Read More

Joint Statement: Keeping health care workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic 

gmcneil COVID-19 Announcements, Occupational Health & Safety

The following is a joint statement issued today by the Registered Nurses’ Union Newfoundland & Labrador (RNU), the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and the Association of Allied Health Professionals (AAHP).

Our province’s health care workers are committed to providing the best and safest care possible to patients. Health care workers are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and we must keep them safe.

Labour organizations representing health care workers are calling for the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Regional Health Authorities to protect health care workers and their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this pandemic, protection of our most valuable resource – the human resource – is of paramount importance. With conflicting scientific evidence of how COVID-19 is transmitted, the precautionary principle – to err on the side of caution – must be followed.Read More

Card: you can refuse unsafe work

COVID-19 Update: March 18, 2020

gmcneil COVID-19 Announcements, Occupational Health & Safety

Right to Refuse

CUPE has been receiving many questions from members who want to know how the current COVID-19 pandemic may affect their right to refuse. As a worker in Newfoundland and Labrador, you have the legal right to refuse unsafe work, according to Section 45 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, when there are reasonable grounds to believe that the work, tool, or equipment is dangerous to you or another person’s health and safety.

Here’s how you can refuse unsafe work:Read More

Message from Sherry Hillier: Let’s look out for each other

gmcneil COVID-19 Announcements

During these uncertain times we are thankful for the work of CUPE members that keep our public services available to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, even while more and more private sector workplaces close or delay operations.

Our Health Care members are on the front lines of the struggle to contain COVID-19 and protect the health of the public; we see your efforts and you have the gratitude of all of CUPE. Please know, we will continue to advocate for your protection while you are working to protect the rest of us.

To our members who staff our libraries, community services, public buildings and schools; you are the glue that binds this province together and keeping you safe and informed is our top priority. To our members in the municipal sector; the services you provide literally keep our communities running and your dedication to your work is worthy of celebration.Read More