COVID-19: Membership Update for May 12, 2020

COVID-19: Membership Update for May 12, 2020

May 12, 2020 at 5:00 PM

  

As we near the eight-week mark of COVID-19 measures, Unifor Local 2002 remains committed to supporting members in any way we can. Safety remains our top priority as we continue to seek the advice of the Public Health Agency of Canada and take steps to mitigate any risk. We understand that this pandemic has placed significant stress and economic hardships on our members. Millions of Canadians are out of work, and businesses are struggling to keep their doors open.

While this pandemic has forced us into a challenging new reality, Local 2002 has been working diligently with union representatives and employers to assist our members. Many of you may be on a government subsidy program, while countless others are still in the workplace. Unifor has been lobbying Federal Ministers, consulting on financial aid programs (e.g. CERB, CEWS), and we continue to pressure the government to assist frontline workers and the many industries across the country. As many provinces move towards reopening parts of the economy, Unifor will be there to protect your rights, your health, and ensure that safe working conditions are met.

  

HIGHLIGHTS FROM UNIFOR LOCAL 2002

  • Some of the smaller airlines have initiated additional cargo flight services, while larger airlines are seeing an increase in cargo work, resulting in supplementary work for members.
      
  • One of our Quebec-based airlines has reached an agreement that will see pilots on layoff status able to fly 2 days per month so they can keep their qualification until the company restarts their operation.
      
  • Other employers have restructured shifts and modified their work-from-home programs allowing members to continue to work.
      
  • In Ontario, critical care paramedic operations have opened up two temporary bases due to increased demand for inpatient care and flight operations.
      
  • Ground handling services in both Vancouver and Toronto are recalling a small number of members in each location to handle an increase in work from alternate carriers increasing their frequency and cargo operations.

  

Additionally, Local 2002's grievance process has shifted to a conference-call format, temporarily replacing face-to-face meetings. Unifor Local 2002 has been actively involved in helping to reduce the spread of the virus and flattening the curve by doing our part to finding tangible solutions; introducing and implementing policies and procedures to many of our units and staff, working remotely, assisting those in most vulnerable workplaces, and conducting meetings via video teleconference. Even though this pandemic has shifted how we work, our assistants, staff and representatives have been able to maintain consistent workflow utilizing innovative technologies. This has allowed us to firm up arbitration dates, advance members’ issues, and continue collective bargaining where required.

In closing, we understand many of you may be feeling isolated as public health officials encourage us to continue with physical distancing measures. During this time, we all need to find ways to connect with loved ones; making phone calls, enjoying a movie with family, or video chatting with a friend.

This pandemic will not last forever, but as we work to overcome this crisis, we remain confident that unity, solidarity, and resiliency will see us through. Unifor stands with you and we are going to get through this, together.

  

In Solidarity,

Euila Leonard
President - Unifor Local 2002

Theresa Amicarelli
Assistant to the Local President

Josée Genois
Assistant to the Local President

Ashley Watkins
Assistant to the Local President

  

  

/20-05-12 Update from Leonard Amicarelli Genois Watkins en.txt