April 13th 2020 Covid 19 Update

I hope everyone had a good Easter weekend social distancing away from family and friends, the increase in cases and recoveries seem to have been getting better let’s hope we’re flattening the curve!

We currently have about 10 members in quarantine/isolation, 12 have been tested all negative, 1 is waiting to be tested because is symptoms and 1 that has been tested and awaiting the results, the 1 awaiting the results is an Access Transit Operator who came in contact with a client who rode the bus then tested positive for Covid 19, the operator was then contacted and told to immediately isolate and was tested yesterday, let’s all send good thoughts and prayers that the test comes back negative.

Over the weekend ATU Canada and ATU International along with Presidents from across Canada met via phone call to discuss outstanding issues in all our different workplaces, a letter was put together and each President sent it to the Director/Employer of the property the local union represents, I’m sure this will be topic of our daily Skype meeting with the employer tomorrow below is just a highlight.

1. Increased health and safety measures for transit workers and the riding public, including gloves, masks, sanitizers, and all PPE needed.

2. Pandemic leave for anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19, exposed to them, or with family or childcare obligations resulting from shutdowns.

3. Compensating workers classified as essential during a public health crisis with at least 1.5 times their normal wage.

4. Rear door entry and fare elimination to support social distancing.

5. Retaining employees and maintaining wages and benefits during service curtailment.

6. Strategic continuation of service to avoid overcrowding.

7. Limiting bus passenger loads to no more than 10 and paratransit to no more than 1.

8. Limiting service access to essential workers and those seeking care.

9. Requiring passengers to wear masks to board a transit vehicle.

10. Fully-paid, on-site testing of transit workers for COVID-19 symptoms.

Please take the time to sign this online petition to support the above efforts.

Your Executive Board

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/we-demand-transit-agencies-and-private-companies-provide-stronger-safety-protections-for-workers/?fbclid=IwAR1g1vtLTDUwekZkmxipsh_BulGf-NUGE7Dzntw2V6GGlmXtbsvL__bQ62M