Bulletin
TransLink – Phased re-opening
August 13, 2020
To: All MoveUP members at TransLink
The past several months have been unparalleled. Your union has been working with the employer every step of the way in a cooperative approach to ensure the safety and well-being of our members. We have been participating in conference calls every week to discuss TransLink’s phased return to work plan.
As TransLink moves towards gradually transitioning to increasing the number of employees at work, albeit with substantial restrictions, we wanted to review the steps taken so far and also provide you with some guidance as we move forward. Phase 1 of the return to work plan saw 54 essential TransLink employees return back to the office. Phase 2 will be rolling out in the next several weeks. Phase 2 will be for those in critical roles to come back to work and for any employee who volunteers to come back due to personal circumstances. TransLink has advised MoveUP that an additional six employees will be returning during phase 2 to work in the office.
I can advise that to our knowledge, the employer has met all relevant health authority guidelines, and has proactively sought their advice. The employer has, with input and consultation from the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees and the union, put in place a number of policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure your continued health and safety. This has included risk assessments at every location, reviewing best practices, setting occupancy limits for in-house interactions, continuing with cleaning procedures, as well as adopting a number of engineering, administrative and personal protective equipment protocols. We are advised that anyone returning to the office will be oriented to new safety protocols, and TransLink will ensure they have all the necessary information to return to the worksite safely.
Whether you have remained at the worksite throughout, or are now returning from working from home, we ask that all of you remain vigilant, and report any concerns immediately to a member of your Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, your manager, and/or directly to a union steward or your union representative.
All of our members at TransLink are reminded to:
- Continuously and diligently monitor your health for fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat or difficulty breathing.
- Stay home from 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.
Further information about COVID-19 is available on the BC CDC website here.
We will continue to work with TransLink as we move through 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 should be vigilant and ensure that social distancing protocols are followed at work. If you are not able to practice social distancing, please report to your manager and your local OH&S representative and your union. 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.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your union steward, or your Union Representative Parm Sandhar, or our WCB and OH&S Representative Niki Schnurr.
For more resources and information, please visit:
MoveUPTogether.ca/FlattenTheCurve.
In Solidarity,
Parm Sandhar, Union Representative
Niki Schnurr, WCB Appeals and OH&S Representative
Christy Slusarenko, Vice-President of Combined Units
