Canadian Labour Reporter

2 Canadian HR Reporter, a HAB Press business 2020 Sick-leave protections welcomed by BCFED VANCOUVER —The B.C. gov- ernment 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. Federa- tion of Labour (BCFED). "Protected sick leave through- out this health crisis will allow ev- ery 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 impor- tant 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 pro- tected sick leave that will persist be- yond 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 Ac- tion Tax Credit — that will help supplement a patchwork of federal programs, says the union. Proactive guidance from gov- ernment and WorkSafeBC to- wards employers on their duties and obligations are needed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission and keep work- places safe. This includes allow- ing workers to work from home as much as possible, says the union. LABOUR BRIEFS GET LISTED IN THE HR VENDORS GUIDE Visit hrreporter.com/hr-vendors-guide HR Professional Development Description: Faccaerio. Name volore pre et atur. Cerumqui consedi seraectis eos magnisi nvenihi lliquist qui accum de pres experis testior eperest que ventust qui re volorum quatat. Ed et aut aut harunt aut fugitata iur. Cerumqui consedi seraectis eos magnisi nvenihi lliquist qui accum de pres experis testior eperest volorum quatat. Training and Development Description: Faccaerio. Name volore pre et atur. Cerumqui consedi seraectis eos magnisi nvenihi lliquist qui accum de pres experis testior eperest que ventust qui re volorum quatat. Ed et aut aut harunt aut fugitata iur. Cerumqui consedi seraectis eos magnisi nvenihi lliquist qui accum de pres experis testior eperest volorum quatat. 123 Queen Street Suite 101 Toronto, Ontario M1P 1M1 Canada Phone: (416) 111-2222 E: Info@companyname.ca www.website.ca Company Name Company Logo 2 0 1 9 READERS' WINNER CHOICE FORMERLY CLV REPORTS Serving labour relations professionals since 1956 www.hrreporter.com/labour Subscription rate: $599 per year Customer Service subscriptions@kmimedia.ca President Tim Duce Editor/Supervisor Sarah Dobson | (416) 644-8740 Ext 330 sarah.dobson@keymedia.com News Editor John Dujay | (416) 644-8740 Ext 321 john.dujay@keymedia.com Employment Law Editor Jeffrey R. 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If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. e analysis contained herein represents the opinion of the authors and should in no way be construed as being either official or unofficial policy of any governmental body. ISSN 0045-5113 Publications Registration 2089 Canadian Labour Reporter is part of the Canadian HR Reporter group of publications. Visit www.hrreporter. com for more information. Labour Reporter Canadian www.labour-reporter.com Premiums, more safety at UFCW sites TORONTO — After conver- sations with major meat pro- ducers at Olymel, Cargill, and Maple Leaf Foods, the United Food and Commercial Work- ers Union (UFCW) Canada se- cured 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 configura- tions so that employees are fac- ing forward and not across from each other, and increasing sani- tation 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 front- line employees, and will also be enhancing safety measures at their facilities by not allowing visitors to their facilities, adjust- ing break periods to increase physical distancing, and sani- tizing common areas more fre- quently, 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 in- stalled washroom facilities at ports within the Vancou- ver 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 vi- tal necessities to Canadians. The least we can do is get them access to decent bath- rooms," 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 sani- tizer and toilet paper. The port authority has com- mitted to maintaining the fa- cilities, cleaning and sanitizing them at least once a day, says the union. Eight units have been in- stalled, says the Teamsters.

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