April 15, 2020 - Last week, Shaw Cablesystems notified the Union that they intended to downsize their workforce under our Vancouver, Surrey and Abbotsford collective agreements. They proposed to do this through a voluntary exit package.

We do not endorse this deal, nor did we play any significant part in negotiating it, apart from obtaining an extension of 3 months dental and benefits and 6 months of the “staff rate” on personal internet and cable for those that accept the offer. The monetary offer itself we had no part of and no say in, despite our ask to enhance the financial package. We are, however, allowing the company to present what they feel are adequate departure packages in this economic climate.

While contemplating this package’s impact on our members’ future, we ask that they consider important things like extended health benefits, job prospects in the broader community at this time of shut in, and the consequences their families may face during these extremely difficult economic times. The Union leadership is always available to answer any questions or concerns.

In Solidarity,

USW Local 1944

4/14/20

Local update

Hello everyone, today I was informed that the company is going to implement the sick time portion of their proposal. If you need to see look at the post on Sunday.  But they are going to hold off on implementing the rest.  This does not mean that this decision could not change tomorrow, but for now it held off.  I also found out that we lost some more sales in Mexico.  This only worsens our current position but I still have not heard a definitive answer if a reduction is going to take place.  I asked about the possibility of a furlough or a buy out for older employees and I was informed that these options are being considered. For those of you that don’t know if an employee was furloughed, they would keep their health insurance.  This does not mean they will be offered but I wanted to make sure all options are on the table.  We remain committed to working with the company to keep all of you working.  But if a lay-off does end up transpiring there is a little bit of good news.  With the signed covid relief bill any person collecting unemployment will receive an additional 600.00 a week on top of the amount normally received from the state through the end of July.  I am by no means trying to make this option sound good, but it probably doubles the amount you would receive.  Things are definitely happing quickly and I will continue to do my best to pass on relevant information.

Mike Hernandez

Federal and California Laws Applicable to the COVID-19 Pandemic

This document provides an overview of the minimum leave requirements that California employers must provide employees applicable to the COVID-19 Pandemic, taking into account federal and state law, including the recently-passed federal HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Naturally, your CBA may provide more generous benefits, in which case those are enforceable through the grievance and arbitration process. However, if the benefits described below are more generous than the CBA, then the employer normally must provide them. Some of the leaves described below provide job protection, meaning you cannot be discharged, charged absence points or events, or otherwise retaliated against for taking the leave. Other types of leaves described below provide paid benefits but no job protection at all. For this last type, you would take the benefits but would need another type of protected leave to ensure job protection. Finally, some types of leave provide both job protection and benefits. We will say below which type of leave this is: “This is unpaid but protected leave,” or “This is paid leave only, with no job protection,” or “This leave is both paid and protected.” We also address below the combined state and federal unemployment benefits available for our members who are laid off or let go during this crisis, including the additional $600 per week available under the new federal CARES Act.

In an effort to stay connected to our members during this challenging time, we will be hosting a “USW Live: Coronavirus Laws and You” Facebook Live event on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. EST on our USW Facebook page. Please tune in if you can and share the event listing on your Facebook pages to encourage members to submit questions and participate: https://www.facebook.com/events/256946995477954/ The presentation will be taped and shared on our page after the live event for those who cannot make it. The event will feature a presentation from our legislative team: Anna Fendley, Roy Houseman and Amber Miller about the CARES Act and other legislative issues affecting our members during this pandemic.

USW Continues Fight for Working People in Face of COVID-19

I want to update you on some of the important work our union is doing in these difficult, uncertain times.

The COVID-19 crisis is impacting everyone differently depending on region, industry, and even family situation.

However, we remain committed to helping every single one of our members and continuing the important work of our union, even if that work now looks slightly different because of the current circumstances.

Health care

Our approximately 50,000 health care and other front-line workers are among the most immediately impacted by COVID-19.

Our Health, Safety and Environment Department has been working around the clock to help get them the support they need so that they can continue to do their jobs safely.

This has included coordinating with the AFL-CIO and the steering committee of the USW’s Heath Care Workers Council (HCWC) to establish what health care members need and how we can get it to them, as well as developing a guide for USW members working in nursing homes.

Health care workers around the country face a dangerous shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and locals from across all our sectors have been rallying to help keep them safe, donating gloves, masks, respirators, eye goggles and more. More information about this important action can be found here.

Communication and coordination

Many of our offices, including the International Headquarters, have been forced to shut their doors as a result of the pandemic, and we’ve had to work quickly to be able to provide many of our vital services remotely.

This has required canceling numerous in-person events and meetings to keep everyone safe. However, we are rapidly adapting so that we can remain in constant communication.

Many important resources are available on the web, including this COVID-19 guide, and all the Districts and departments are holding calls and video conferences to coordinate our efforts and develop strategies.

We will soon start to offer online versions of the classes that had to be canceled, starting with our...

UPDATE for Essentia Health Red Book - Here is a summary of the Agreement Covering Special Administrative Leaves for the Red Book:

Whether you volunteer, or are assigned, to the SAL, this is a temporary leave of absence for the period of April 10 – May 31, 2020. While on leave you retain your seniority. Your benefits remain intact (Health, Dental, Basic Life, Voluntary Life, Long-Term, and Short-Term Disability insurances). But note that you’re still responsible for your share of the health insurance premium, so you’ll need to reach out to HR to make arrangements for paying that. Anyone on this leave can and should apply for unemployment.

Members and Retirees of Local 5328

There is a lot of questions regarding the SUB pay. I have inquired from our USW staff and National office.  

 When applying for EI, after March 15,2020, you are directed to the CERB program automatically.  The CERB disqualifies you from earning the SUB pay.

 Why? The Federal government doesn’t consider the unemployment situation due to economy or a market situation, they consider it due to Covid-19 and apparently that changes the definition. 

 If you are on lay-off, you need to do some math as any earnings you acquire in a week, will be deducted from the $500.00 per week from CERB. 

 The USW National Office is still working on the Federal Government to try and rectify this but that may take weeks. Until then, be careful on working a day here, a day there!! 

 Remember, the CERB program is not taxed but it is taxable income when it comes to your 2020 taxes. 

 Stay safe! 

 In solidarity, 

Anthony Ciaramella 
President
USW Local 5328