CUPE 8920 UPDATE TO MEMBERS – RE: COVID-19 MARCH 18, 2020

Today the Nova Scotia Health Authority has put new operational restrictions into place that affect visitors, programs and services. These measures are to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and to focus on the resources in anticipation of increasing demands related to the pandemic. Information on the changes to services and programs can be accessed via http://www.nshealth.ca/temporaryclosures. NSHA continues to send updates directly to staff on a regular basis and we encourage you to take the time to stay up to date with these documents. If you believe the service you work in has been affected by these changes, however you have not received any specific direction regarding your schedule, please report to work as normal.

In the coming days and weeks, you should be prepared that the Employer may be cancelling upcoming preapproved vacations, if the continuity of business plan and pandemic planning require it to be so. There is also a possibility that you could be reassigned or redeployed to other areas in the site or other hospitals/sectors should the need arise during this crisis. Preparation in hospitals will be key in coming weeks for dealing with this pandemic.

There have been numerous inquiries from concerned members regarding a co-worker that may have been out of province or out of country and is currently in the workplace. Please be assured that the restrictions for Healthcare workers put in place by Stephen McNeil, NS Premier and Dr. Strang, NS Chief Medical Officer, on March 13, are being followed. These restrictions do not include people who have traveled to another province.

This is a busy time for you all and we are all very grateful to you. Please take time to care for yourself and your loved ones daily. Your health matters! We are relying on you to care for others which requires you to care for yourself as well!

Again, be sure to join our Facebook group CUPE8920 and check out our website www.8920.cupe.ca.

In Solidarity,

Bev Strachan

President CUPE 8920