Wage Protection is in effect

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This is a reminder that although facilities and departments have been facing staffing reductions since March 24th or earlier due to COVID-19, wages for scheduled shifts for CUPE 23 members must continue to be paid. Late on Friday an agreement was signed between CUPE 23 and City and the Library regarding a plan for layoffs. The document will be posted shortly and it will also show that wage protection continues until the stated date of May 26, 2020.

If any member has not been paid for scheduled shifts, even if they have been directed to not report for work, please contact the office ASAP. 604-298-0200 or admin@cupe23.ca

New Federal Government Economic Provisions Regarding COVID-19

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Download the March 18, 2020 press release from the Federal Government here.

Excerpt:

Temporary Income Support for Workers and Parents

For Canadians without paid sick leave (or similar workplace accommodation) who are sick, quarantined or forced to stay home to care for children, the Government is:

  • Waiving the one-week waiting period for those individuals in imposed quarantine that claim Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. This temporary measure is in effect as of March 15, 2020.
  • Waiving the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits.
  • Introducing the Emergency Care Benefit providing up to $900 bi-weekly, for up to 15 weeks. This flat-payment Benefit would be administered through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provide income support to:
    • Workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19 but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.
    • Workers, including the self-employed, who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, such as an elderly parent, but do not qualify for EI sickness benefits.
    • Parents with children who require care or supervision due to school closures, and are unable to earn employment income, irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not.

Application for the Benefit will be available in April 2020, and require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. …read the rest here…