New briefs

Sick-leave protections welcomed by BCFED

VANCOUVER — The B.C. government legislated unlimited protected leave for workers who are quarantined, self-isolating, or caring for loved ones amidst the pandemic, a move that was welcomed by the B.C. Federation of Labour (BCFED).

“Protected sick leave throughout this health crisis will allow every worker to follow public health advice as we collectively flatten the curve,” says Laird Cronk, BCFED president.

“We are encouraged B.C. put forward this package as an important first step, recognizing supports needed for workers will surely evolve,” says Cronk.

As part of its response, the B.C. government legislated three days of unpaid protected sick leave that will persist beyond the current health crisis.

The province also announced income supports, a $1,000 tax-free Emergency Benefit for Workers, and an increase to the Climate Action Tax Credit — that will help supplement a patchwork of federal programs, says the union.

Proactive guidance from government and WorkSafeBC towards employers on their duties and obligations are needed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission and keep workplaces safe. This includes allowing workers to work from home as much as possible, says the union.

Premiums, more safety at UFCW sites

TORONTO — After conversations with major meat producers at Olymel, Cargill, and Maple Leaf Foods, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada secured premium pay increases and more safety protections for all front-line workers at these companies on March 24.

UFCW members working at Cargill processing facilities will receive wage increases of $2 per hour worked, says the union. In addition, Cargill will work to enhance employee safety at their facilities by adjusting break times, changing table configurations so that employees are facing forward and not across from each other, and increasing sanitation in common areas such as break rooms and restrooms, says UFCW.

Maple Leaf Foods, meanwhile, will be providing an additional $80 per week — $2 per hour up to 40 hours worked — to all frontline employees, and will also be enhancing safety measures at their facilities by not allowing visitors to their facilities, adjusting break periods to increase physical distancing, and sanitizing common areas more frequently, says the union.

At Olymel, workers will see wage increases of $2 per hour worked as of March 23, which will amount to an extra $80 per week for most employees.

Ports bathrooms installed by Teamsters

VANCOUVER — Teamsters, Local 31 and 155 unions installed washroom facilities at ports within the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority on March 27.

The move came as stores and truck stops are closing or limiting access to facilities in the wake of the pandemic, making it harder for truck drivers across North America to find open access to washroom facilities, according to Teamsters.

The issue was hitting port drivers in Vancouver just as badly, says the union.

“Truck drivers are front-line workers who are essential to getting medication and other vital necessities to Canadians. The least we can do is get them access to decent bathrooms,” says François Laporte, national president of Teamsters Canada.

The units are portable-trailer washroom facilities that are normally used on movie sets. The units have flush toilets, running water, soap and sanitizer and toilet paper.

The port authority has committed to maintaining the facilities, cleaning and sanitizing them at least once a day, says the union.

Eight units have been installed, says the Teamsters.