Greetings:
Local 488 Managers and Executive Board met this morning to discuss our plan to ensure the safety of our staff, members, and their families. Conditions change so rapidly what worked today may not work tomorrow. Local 488 is taking their lead from the World Health Organization, Federal Government, and our Provincial Government. Members are asked to stay informed by following our web page.
As a protective measure we have postponed Local 488’s March 21 Union Meeting, our Long Service Awards in April, and any other scheduled meeting/event which were to take place in our building.
Our officers and staff have received several questions regarding El and the Coronavirus. The below information is from their web site https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-socialdevelopment/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
Employment Insurance (El) sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine, to allow them time to restore their health and return to work. Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance (El) sickness benefits.
If you are eligible, visit the El sickness benefits page to apply.
Service Canada is ready to support Canadians affected by COVID-19 and placed in quarantine, with the following support actions:
- The one-week waiting period for El sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim.
- Establishing a new dedicated toll-free phone number to support enquiries related to waiving the El sickness benefits waiting period.
- Priority El application processing for El sickness claims for clients under quarantine.
Contact the new dedicated toll-free phone number if you are in quarantine and seeking to waive the one-week El sickness benefits waiting period so you can be paid for the first week of your claim:
- Telephone: 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free)
- Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-529-3742
If you require further information, please visit the web site.
In closing Please remember how important it is to practice good hygiene.
Fraternally Yours
Rod McKay
Business Manager
PDF Document:
business_managers_message_-_final_march_17_2020.pdf