Bulletin
ICBC – Rising Cases of COVID-19 in BC
January 5, 2022
To: All MoveUP members at ICBC
The number of COVID-19 cases in BC continues to be a concern for all of us. No question, the omicron variant is the most highly transmissible version of this virus to date. Although the severity of the illness seems to be lower than previous strains, the rapid spread through our communities is worrisome.
During the Christmas break, we asked ICBC to implement their own ‘circuit breaker’, to help BC slow the spread of COVID-19, especially the omicron variant. We suggested that they allow staff who can work from home, to do so for at least the next three weeks. This would fit with the modeling being done by multiple organizations that expect the virus to begin to wain later in January.
We asked that they provide maximum flexibility to all the parents whose children did not start back to school this week.
And finally, we asked that they reintroduce stringent personal protective equipment for all Driver Examiners, Client Service Representative and supervisors who, due to the nature of their work, must have close contact with the public.
We are pleased to see that ICBC has encouraged managers to work with parents on the need for flexibility this week. And as of this morning, we are pleased to see that ICBC will allow all staff who can work from home, to do so until the end of January. This is a complete switch from the position they had taken with us earlier, however today’s announcement will provide a great deal of relief to all those who are worried about their health and the rapid spread of the omicron variant. Dr. Henry recently predicted that upwards of 1/3 of all workers will contract COVID-19. At ICBC, that is 2000 people. Please take extra care to protect yourself, your coworkers, and your loved ones from the spread of Omicron.
Monitor your health closely. If you are looking for information on COVID-19, including when to be tested or when to self-isolate, you can check this link . If you are sick, you should advise your manager, follow the advice of the public health officials and stay home during your time of self-isolation*. If you are advised to self-isolate due to close contact, please discuss this with your manager. You may be entitled to either paid Special Leave for quarantine, or a claim with WorkSafe BC, if there is clear evidence you contracted COVID-19 at work.
If you have more questions about COVID-19, please see the links and helpful information we have assembled on our website.
We wish everyone a very happy New Year and hope that this surge in COVID-19 comes to an end very soon.
In solidarity,
Annette Toth, Vice-President, ICBC
Kevin Smyth, Senior Union Representative
* Our sick leave entitlement, replenished on January 1, 2022, is available for when you are sick, COVID-19 or otherwise.