Bulletin
Translink – New Mandatory Masks and Public Health Office orders
November 12, 2020
To: All MoveUP members at Translink
MoveUP sincerely appreciates all the hard work our members have been performing at Translink in order to keep the transit system operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that the recent spike in COVID cases in Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health have caused the membership anxiety. We have been in daily discussions with Translink about the rising cases and how to ensure our members are being kept safe in the workplace. We appreciate that the Employer has implemented a mandatory mask policy at all Translink properties (see bulletin here). It is imperative that our members follow this policy in order to keep yourself and your colleagues safe. Translink has an obligation under the law to provide a healthy and safe work place for our members.
We had discussions with the Employer over the weekend about the new public health orders issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry. We were in discussions with the Employer late into the night last night. We are glad to see Translink implement new COVID screening measures at all Translink properties. If you have any questions about these new measures please do not hesitate to reach out to your Union Representative or our WCB Appeals and OH&S Specialist.
If you are on a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, you should review your workplace’s COVID-19 Safety Plan to ensure that all measures are being implemented according to the PHO order.
All members at Translink are reminded to:
- Continuously and diligently monitor your health for fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat or difficulty breathing
- Do not come to work if you are sick
- Contact your doctor or BC HealthLink at 8-1-1 immediately if you become sick or experience any of the above symptoms
- Practice social distancing protocols at work, and wear a mask
Further information about COVID-19 is available on the BC CDC website:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19
Your Union is in daily conversations with Translink about the COVID-19 pandemic. Our utmost priority is to ensure our members are safe in the workplace.
MoveUP members can take steps to protect one another. Everyone MUST wash their hands and use sanitizing wipes on any objects, surfaces, etc, that are touched by co-workers in between cleaning schedules. All members can ensure that social distancing protocols are followed at work. If you aren’t able to practice social distancing, please report to your manager and your local OH&S Committee representative. MoveUP is working hard to ensure that our OH&S Committees are activated and well informed about COVID-19 and that all employers meet their responsibility to provide a healthy and safe workplace during the pandemic.
MoveUP will keep members advised as we learn more about this situation. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Union Representative Parm Sandhar or our WCB and OH&S Specialist Niki Schnurr.
For more resources and information, please visit:
www.MoveUPTogether.ca/FlattenTheCurve.
In solidarity,
Parm Sandhar, Union Representative
Niki Schnurr, WCB Appeals and OH&S Specialist