BCH & Powertech – COVID19 Concern

Hi Everyone,

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the union wants to assure membership, that we are in constant communications with the employer and having regular status meetings.

The BCUC required that BC Hydro submit their Pandemic Response Plan, last Friday. The employer contacted the union and the IBEW to have a conference call, which transpired yesterday we reviewed the information provided by the employer so far, we agree.

Please note the information is changing daily, we will try to keep membership informed of any major changes.

Under our collective agreement (MOU #79), we have an obligation for cooperation for catastrophic events. We can all agree that we are in one right now. Many people have asked if we are supportive of work from home full time right now. Absolutely! These are extraordinary times and we need to be creative and quick in our responses to this crisis. We have told BC Hydro the same thing and if there are other things, we can do that will help during this time, we will most definitely consider them.

Attendance Management Program

• the parties agreed that the Attendance Management Program be suspended during this time and that any absence will not be used against them.

Travelling out of Country

• the employer has identified that as of March 12, 2020, any employee choosing to maintain their travel plans out of Canada to other countries, will have not be eligible to receive paid sick leave upon their return while self-quarantining. Members will have to utilize personal or unpaid time for the required fourteen (14) days self-quarantine.

Stay home if sick

• no matter what the illness. We know that BC Hydro staff are diligent and want to continue to look after the customers and be there for their coworkers. And we know that many people come to work when they have a mild cold or symptoms that appear innocuous at the time. But with so much stress and coverage about the symptoms of COVID-19, which are in many ways like a cold or influenza, we are asking people to stay home if you are sick. We have sick leave in our collective agreement which is meant for you to be home when sick, so you can focus on getting better quickly. Staying home on sick leave when you are not well will help keep your coworkers safe from whatever bacteria or virus you may have, and it will help stop some of the fear and worry that coworkers feel when they find out someone is at work and sick.

So again, if you are sick, please call your manager, let them know you are not well and stay home. If you suspect you may have COVID-19, please call 811 and self-isolate yourself from your coworkers, family and friends.

Stay healthy and safe!

In solidarity,

Rysa Kronebusch, Vice President
Cheryl Popeniuk, Senior Union Representative
Barbara Junker, Union Representative
Tony Geluch, Union Representative
Mike Novak, Union Representative
April Young, Union Representative