We are coming to the end of another challenging week. Many of our members are starting to see impacts to their positions as the COVID-19 measures continue and expand. We have some quick updates relating to main campus and an overview of what is happening in each unit below.
Parking on Campus
Members who pay for parking on campus and in Hamilton Health Sciences will be pleased to know that parking charges for April are being suspended. Parking deductions will still be on this week’s pay deposit, but will not be taken off the April 24th pay deposit.
Helping employees work at home
The university is reimbursing expenses for supplies required for employees to work effectively at home. Allowable expenses, as approved by a supervisor, range from office items such as stationery and printer cartridges to overcharges for cellphone and internet use. Information for reimbursing expenses related to working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found on the university’s Financial Affairs site.
Buildings closed
As the number of people on campus has reduced dramatically in accordance with government direction to stay home, the majority of buildings have also been closed. A small number of buildings remain open on campus, including the McMaster University Student Centre, where the pharmacy is open, the Commons Building, as well as critical research facilities. Any issues related to building access should be directed to Security Services at 905-522-4135.
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Members in Units 2, 4 and 6 are not seeing any new changes or measures this week.
Many of Unit 1 members continue to work from home. For those who are unable to work remotely, if practicable alternative work and training is also being utilized to keep Unit 1 members employed and paid.
Unfortunately, there are some roles that cannot be done remotely with no alternative and they also do not fall under the Essential Businesses and Services List issued by the Province. In those cases, we are starting to see changes with University making decisions that affect hours of work or the usage of vacation to maintain pay.
We have had conversations with the University, understanding that these changes are coming. We have no information on the members affected at this time but do understand communication has occurred with some members being asked to book vacation in order to supplement a reduction in hours. If you are having any discussion regarding your hours of work or the need to take vacation please reach out to Sarah-Kai Antanaitis, Unit 1 Chairperson, so you can discuss the options presented to you and the implications of your choices. Again, we have not been advised of the implications across the Unit and need to better understand how the University is dealing with this.
Members in Unit 3 should have been contacted yesterday by their supervisor. Part-time members will continue to see a lack of scheduled shifts. Full-time members will have been informed of the operational plan for the coming weeks. Members with questions should contact Emily Heikoop, Vice-President.
Members in Unit 5 should also have been updated yesterday by their supervisors to changes to their hours of work, job duties etc. There are a lot of moving pieces to the measures rolled out today and some details are being worked through still. We know that for some of our members, notably those who are working part time, they are facing leaves. Also, while some provisions, like the need for members to use 50% of their 2020 vacation entitlement is being required across the entire unit, each work group may have slightly different requirements for implementing the vacation.
You are encouraged to reach out to Chantelle Hankins, Unit Chair or Emily Heikoop, Vice-President for more information.