COVID-19
Update from CUPE 50
March 23, 2020
CUPE 50 members play a crucial role in providing vital public services in our community. These services are critical and we must take all possible steps to reduce the potential for COVID-19 to spread among our members, community and families.
We are monitoring the COVID19 situation as it affects our members and participating in discussions with employers to ensure the health and safety of our members, community and families is a priority in response to the pandemic.
As we all know, the situation and information related to COVID-19 is rapidly changing.
As front-line workers who serve the public on a daily basis, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to each and every Local 50 member for your dedication to maintaining public services during this difficult time. Thank you for the important work you do, each and every day, in serving our community and keeping our City functioning.
I would like to remind you to please continue to exercise protective measures like proper hand hygiene and social distancing and staying home while sick to keep yourself safe and those around you during these unprecedented times. This is important not only to your own personal health, but helps safeguard the health of your coworkers and others in our community.
I would also like to remind you that it is the responsibility of your employer to ensure the health and safety of their employees. Your union is working hard to protect our members’ rights and to advocate for our members’ health and safety – as well as your economic stability and income security during this uncertain time. We encourage our members with concerns and questions about COVID-19 in their own workplace, to first speak with a manager/ supervisor/and or consult their workplace health and safety committee/representative.
We also encourage our members to make use of CUPE’s resources and expertise for these types of situations.
CUPE National’s Health and Safety Branch has developed an information fact sheet that includes measures of control to prevent exposure to the coronavirus in the workplace. For more information, members can consult CUPE’s coronavirus guide.
If you have questions related to self-quarantine, your personal health, or about COVID-19 we encourage you to rely on official sources only.
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html
Government of British Columbia:
https://www.gov.bc.ca/health/coronavirus/
Worksafe British Columbia:
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/law-policy/occupational-health-safety/searchable-ohs-regulation/ohs-guidelines/