Members,
As the COVID-pandemic situation continues, we are starting to see longer term impact rippling out across the membership. We are posting updates for each of the Units as the decisions being made by the various unit management are very much dictated by the specific circumstances of each of the type of work within each unit. Contact information for each Unit Chair is included in the unit updates. You are encouraged to reach out to your Unit Chair with questions relating to your particular circumstances. While we are working diligently to ensure that our Collective Agreements are followed, the pandemic state-of-emergency is a circumstance not contemplated in any of our Collective Agreement language, so in many cases we are relying on case law, employment legislation and the support of our National representatives and Legal Department.
I am speaking with the University and Unit Chairpersons regularly in hopes of keeping members as up-to-date as possible, but the situation is also moving very quickly. Further to that, the local will not send out information that we aren’t 100% confident is accurate. Some members are going to be facing circumstances that are outside the scope of our Collective Agreements, and again, we reiterate that your Unit Chair is your first point of contact.
I also recognize that these trying times are having impacts on us all outside of our workplaces. The local has compiled a number of resources for members on our Local Mental Wellbeing Resources page. On this page you will find contacts for Local representatives who can assist with directing you to services that you may need as well as a number of links and/or phone numbers for those in Crisis, or facing issue relating to Addictions or Domestic violence.
You can also visit the COVID-19 information page as well as contacts page for your local union representatives.
Unifor National’s COVID-19 webpage has up to date information as well as a number of resources and fact sheets for members and their families who may be facing layoff, reduced hours, or illness relating to COVID-19.
I do hope you, your family and friends are in good health at this time. I encourage you to reach out to your Union Representative for assistance with concerns you are facing. You can also reach me at beth.couchman@unifor5555.ca.
In Solidarity,
Beth Couchman
President
Unifor Local 5555