Hello CUPE 4000 members,

As you know, COVID-19 has decreased our ability to safely gather as much as we would like.

Due to this, we’ve unfortunately had to cancel our June 9, 2020, General Membership Meeting (GMM) scheduled for 7:30pm.

Since the importance of discussing our working conditions is more critical than ever, we will hold a phone-in, conference call type Town Hall, on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 7:15 PM.

Instead of discussing regular Union business and following a GMM format, we will speak to an agenda of items, and then answer any of your questions.

Our current agenda is:

• Government Emergency Order Update
• Health and Safety Update
• Pandemic Pay Update
• Operating Rooms Reopening and Expansion
• Questions

CUPE 4000 Town Hall, Wednesday June 10, 2020, 7:15 pm, phone number 1-877-229-8493 access code 119574#
Or access through your computer: https://video.teleforumonline.com/video/streaming.php?client=19574

We are looking forward to speaking with you all.

In solidarity,
CUPE 4000 Executive

With the Ontario Government announcing that it will be extending the Emergency Order until May 19, 2020. This must be their way of controlling social distancing until after the long weekend.

With that being said, we’ll have to cancel our membership meeting for May 12 2020.

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers will tomorrow April 30^th, 2020 acknowledge and show their appreciation and thanks to all those working in Ottawa area hospitals by forming a caravan at the Ottawa General, Ottawa Civic and the Queensway Carleton Hospital.

“Our membership wanted to reach out to health care workers in the city and show our tremendous appreciation and thanks to all those workers for what they have done and continue to do during this coronavirus pandemic.  It was decided a Health Care Workers Express convoy of our members driving safely past the hospital with signs and waving was a small way we could perhaps show that sentiment”, said Ian Anderson, president of the CUPW Ottawa Local.

The caravan at the three Ottawa area hospitals is set to commence at approximately 10:15am simultaneously at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus on Smyth Road, the Civic Campus on Carling Avenue as well as the Queensway Carleton hospital on Baseline Road.

The Ottawa Local 580 of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers is comprised of approximately 1200 members employed by Canada Post.

OTTAWA – Although officially observed by the Canadian Labour Congress since 1984 April 28th was first proclaimed a Day of Mourning by an Act of Parliament in 1991. Today in over one hundred countries around the world, in cities and in towns, April 28th is officially observed.

This year marks the 37th year since the first observance. It is also the 28th anniversary of the Westray Mine disaster that saw the lives of 26 miners taken on March 9th, 1992 as a direct result of the workplace. The disaster also brought forward changes to Canada’s Criminal Code in 2004 making it possible to prosecute employers for negligence leading to workplace death and/or injury.

Across Canada close to one thousand workers die each year and many more are injured as a direct result of the workplace.

The annual ceremony attended by approximately 500 people including injured workers, coworkers, family members, elected officials and others at Vincent Massey Park in Ottawa will be instead taking place as a virtual ceremony. The approximate 40 minute Zoom webinar ceremony commences at 12:30pm on April 28, 2020 and will feature speakers and a minute of silence for all those workers impacted as a result of the workplace.

The virtual ceremony is open to all and accessed through https://zoom.us/j/93891174077

“We need to continue to mourn for the dead and to fight for the living. This includes ensuring that all workers are provided with PPE and the proper training to use it safely. Our role as labour and indeed that of our elected officials, employers and the broader community is to ensure we strengthen health and safety for all workers. COVID-19 did not create this need rather it reinforced the necessity”, said Sean McKenny, president of the Ottawa and District Labour Council.

The Ottawa and District Labour Council (ODLC) has been the voice of working people in the Ottawa area since 1872. The ODLC currently represents 92 local unions with a combined membership of 50,000 working men and women and is the largest democratic and popular organization in the Ottawa area.

Contacts:

Sean McKenny – 613 862 5150

Ottawa and District Labour Council  – 613 233 7820

Dear Members,

Below are the most recent changes for the co-vid outbreak that affect our group. We will be sending updates when we have them to keep members informed.

Updates for usage of surgical/procedure masks:

 CUPE’s stance on N95 masks is:  if you see someone from the medical team wearing an N95 mask, then you should also be given the same PPE. Please ask the employer for one and if denied speak to your site rep as soon as possible. Make sure to include who denied you and the reasoning for the denial.

Parking Accommodations

 If you believe you require a parking accommodations please reach out to Occupational Health regarding your circumstances. They will be able to assist with the proper information.

 CERB Benefit

If you have any questions regarding the governments CERB benefit plan; below is the link and it is a great source of information.

Canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan

Non-essential travel into Western Quebec

As is being widely reported in the news, the Quebec government announced that beginning at noon today it is banning non-essential travel into Quebec.  Hospital workers are essential and therefore exempt. However, you must be prepared to show evidence of your employment, so please ensure you have your hospital ID badge with you at all times. Please email human resources at labourrelations@toh.ca if you have any issues crossing the border so we can support you.

 

*French Translation to follow.

Please help us send a message to the government that health care workers deserve protection, especially during this critical time.  Email your MPP and ask them to help protect ALL health care workers.

Please find a draft letter (click link or image) to register your info.

 

*French translation to follow.