Tag: COVID-19
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OPS Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) memorandum of settlement
View the decision GSB# 2021-3633; 2021-4288 OPSEU# 2022-0999-0005; 2022-0999-0004 Memorandum of Settlement Between: The Crown in Right of Ontario as represented by the Treasury Board Secretariat (“the Employer”) and The Ontario Public Employees Service Union (“the Union” or “OPSEU”) Whereas as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Employer implemented The Safe Workplace Policy, which…
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Mandatory OPS Rapid Antigen Tests ruled “work” by Grievance Settlement Board (GSB)
View the decision View the memorandum of settlement here On October 26, 2022, the Grievance Settlement Board (GSB) issued a decision related to the mandatory completion and submission of COVID-19 “Rapid Antigen Tests” by employees on their own time, before attending the workplace (please see attached the decision in GSB #2021- 3633 and 2021-4288). This…
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OPS Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) grievance decision
PDF version Crown Employees Grievance Settlement Board Suite 600 Bureau 180 Dundas St. West 180, rue Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8 Toront Tel. (416) 326-1388 GSB# 2021-3633; 2021-4288 UNION# 2022-0999-0005; 2022-0999-0004 IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION Under THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT Before THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD BETWEEN Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Union…
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COVID-19 – OPSEU/SEFPO support plus the latest on testing, restrictions, vaccinations, etc
OPSEU/SEFPO support If you recently attended an OPSEU/SEFPO event or meeting and require information or support, please email covid19@opseu.org Emergency information and COVID-19 orders in force https://www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-information Changes to public health and safety measures https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures#changes-to-public-health-and-workplace-safety-measures Guidance for employers on COVID-19 health and safety https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-workplace-health-safety Tools and guidance for Ontario workplaces to protect…
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National Day of Observance for COVID-19: Grieving our losses, supporting our members, looking to our future
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic – and the world as we knew it changed forever. The federal government has declared March 11 as a National Day of Observance to honour the memory of those who lost their lives and to recognize its effect on every Canadian. Nearly…
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Statement on OPS members’ return to workplace
We understand that Ontario Public Service (OPS) employees will begin returning to work in person this week on a voluntary basis, and that they will be expected to be in their workplaces at least three days a week starting April 4. We also understand that this hybrid arrangement is temporary, and that OPSEU/SEFPO and other…
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OPSEU/SEFPO: use of Emergencies Act sets a troubling precedent
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO’s leaders say the Prime Minister’s implementation of the Emergencies Act to deal with anti-vaccination protesters is going too far and sets a troubling precedent. OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says he’s sympathetic to the plight of Ottawa residents who have endured torturous conditions and agrees that immediate action is needed, but with…
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New and improved OPSEU/SEFPO face masks now available!
Due to popular demand, OPSEU/SEFPO has ordered a brand new batch of union-branded face masks, which are now available for order by OPSEU/SEFPO locals. Show your OPSEU/SEFPO pride while staying safe! These new and improved mesh masks come in a variety of colours (red, blue and black), and there is also a black oversized version…
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Faced with Omicron threat, Ontario colleges treated ‘differently’: Thomas
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is calling on the Ontario government to immediately implement social distancing regulations, capacity limits and other health measures to protect faculty, support staff and students at Ontario’s 24 public colleges. “Now is not the time to cut corners on health and safety,” said Thomas. “Faculty, support staff and…
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This holiday season give the gift of good health and get vaccinated
As we near the end of 2021, it’s a good time to reflect and set our resolutions for the road ahead. This year, let’s resolve to make the COVID-19 pandemic a part of our past, by getting vaccinated. As of Monday, December 20th, all Ontarians over the age of 18 are now eligible to get…
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International survey on migrant health and social care workers’ resilience
Public Services International (PSI), in partnership with the UK’s Open University, is carrying out an online survey on migrant health care and social care workers’ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this survey — which is being distributed in Canada by the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) — PSI and Open University…
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OPSEU/SEFPO pleased government has listened on beefing up Long-Term Care resources
Toronto — The Ontario government’s commitment to hire more than four-thousand additional staff this year for Long-Term Care shows front-line workers are being listened to, said OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. For years OPSEU/SEFPO has called for more investment in long-term care and during the COVID-19 pandemic stepped up its demands for an immediate and…
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Throne Speech sets right tone, but time for action
Toronto – The Ontario government has struck an encouraging tone in today’s Throne Speech, but OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says the Conservatives must now turn those words into immediate action by establishing and maintaining a laser focus on pandemic recovery. “We’re pleased to see that Ontario is focused on recovery and growth, not a…
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OPSEU/SEFPO opposes ‘freedom’ rally against vaccine mandates, passports planned in Sudbury
The website sudbury.com is reporting that a group calling itself “Canadian Frontline Nurses” is expected to participate in an anti-vaccine passport rally in Sudbury this Sunday – and health care unions are united in opposition to the rally, including OPSEU/SEFPO. In a news release, the union’s President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas, said, “Front-line health care workers,…
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OPSEU/SEFPO condemns planned anti-vaccine protests in front of hospitals
Toronto — OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is condemning the anti-vaccine protests taking place in front of Ontario hospitals. “Front-line health care workers, patients and their families should not have to run a gauntlet of angry protesters just to go to work or get the health care they need,” said Thomas. “These are innocent bystanders…
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Frequently Asked Questions about mandatory vaccinations
With the fourth wave of the COVID-19 crisis upon us, many employers in Ontario have been developing workplace policies calling for mandatory vaccines and testing. The Ford government has also announced a vaccine passport will be brought in this month. As members continue to navigate these challenging times and, in many cases, plan their own return…
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Listen: OPSEU/SEFPO President Thomas discusses mandatory vaccines
OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas joined CityNews Ottawa radio host Rob Snow for a discussion on vaccine mandates and what they mean for public sector employees represented by the union. President Thomas called it a reasonable solution to a very serious health crisis and, “one more measure to keep people safe and beat this pandemic.”…
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OPSEU/SEFPO committed to healthy and safe workplaces
As employers across Ontario continue to phase-in a return to the traditional workplace during the rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19, our members have relayed their concerns about workplace health and safety. OPSEU/SEFPO’s Executive Board has discussed and debated these issues thoroughly and feels the best way to protect the union’s members and the…