COVID-19

Manitoba – Workers and disability advocates are calling on School Divisions to keep Education Assistants (EAs) and other support staff on the working for our students while schools are suspended.

“Education Assistants are providing critical support to children with disabilities during the COVID-19 virus crisis,” said Janet Forbes from Inclusion Winnipeg.

“The COVID-19 virus puts children with disabilities at greater risk due to existing health conditions, reliance on outside support and disruptions to daily routines.”

“Families are more isolated than ever and there is so much work that needs to be done to support those children and their families who may not be used to instruction from home.”

As the union that represents 5,000 school support staff in twenty-four school divisions across Manitoba, CUPE is ready to work with School Divisions to help ensure there are no layoffs to Education Assistants and other support staff.

“CUPE has reached out to School Divisions to see how we can work together to help EAs either work remotely from home or find creative ways to support their students during this crisis,” said CUPE Manitoba President Abe Araya. “With so many students studying at home, we need a strong, fully-staffed education system to get these students the support they need.”

“It is important that all students have access to the supports they require to learn at home during this time,” said Amanda Hamm of Inclusion Westman. “We know that Education Assistants have a role to play in providing this needed support especially in terms of supporting students with additional needs. We are calling on schools to provide this consistent support to all students so they can continue their learning at home.”

In a letter to School Superintendents, the Education Minister suggested that “savings generated as a result of the closures of schools must be held in a separate account”.

It is CUPE’s position that this is not a time to generate savings, rather it’s a time to support staff and be creative. “School Divisions in Manitoba have already budgeted for their staff for the year, and those staff need to be focused on helping students succeed,” said Araya.

“Many students and their families face additional challenges working remotely, and addressing those challenges cannot happen without school support staff.”

This position is also endorsed by the Children’s Coalition, an advocacy organization for children with disabilities.

CUPE Manitoba represents approximately 5,000 education support staff in twenty-four school divisions across Manitoba, including EAs, custodians, maintenance and trades, secretaries, library techs, mechanics, bus drivers, international student support, school liaisons and more. Inclusion Winnipeg is a registered charity which, for 60 years, has been dedicated to making life better for children and adults living with intellectual disabilities.

Inclusion Westman is a not-for-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of people who live with an intellectual disability in the Westman region by promoting their full inclusion in the community. The work we do benefits not only the individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families, but the community in which they reside.

The Children’s Coalition is a network of organizations which exists to unite the voice of families in matters that have a direct impact on their supports and services. The Coalition is committed to working in partnership with community-based agencies and government departments including Family Services and Housing, Education, Citizenship and Youth, and Health, to achieve a coordinated network supporting the full inclusion in community life of children with disabilities and their families.

The union representing most K-12 educational staff in Manitoba schools is calling on the Manitoba government and School Divisions to keep all K-12 workers on the payroll during COVID-19.

Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced today that the schools across Manitoba will be suspended indefinitely, and that school support staff could be laid off.

“Education Assistants (EAs) still have work to do to support our students; custodians and trades still need to take care of our schools,” said Abe Araya, President of CUPE and a school custodian himself.  “We need all hands on deck to support our students while they learn from home, and School Divisions need to do everything possible to keep EAs and support staff working for our young people.”

The Minister told reporters that each School Division is responsible for finding “value added” from support staff, and that it is up to the Divisions to decide whether or not to lay off employees.

Premier Jason Kenney recently made major cuts to the education system in Alberta as a result of school suspensions, moving money out of the education system to be used elsewhere, which was widely labeled as a “reckless” move by educators.

“School Divisions in Manitoba have already budgeted for their staff for the year, and that needs to be seen through,” said Araya. “School Divisions need to be creative in helping EAs support students through digital tools, and students with special needs, language barriers, and who face socio-economic challenges will need even more support than ever.”

School custodians, trades, and clerical staff still have work they can be doing to keep our schools maintained and operational for students and their families. Library techs can still be used as resources for teachers and families.

School bus drivers can also be tasked with delivering education materials, especially to families who may not have access to the internet.

“Any cuts to staffing will hurt our schools, and hurt our children’s education, especially now that so many students are facing challenging times learning from home,” said Araya.  “Students, parents, and teachers need to know that they have access to the supports they need to help students succeed.”

CUPE represents approximately 5,000 education support staff in school divisions across Manitoba, including EAs, custodians, maintenance and trades, secretaries, library techs, mechanics, bus drivers, international student support, school liaisons and more.

The Provincial Government announced it would suspend all publicly funded schools in Manitoba for three weeks beginning March 23, and ending April 6. This measure is being taken to help slow the spread of the virus COVID-19 in Manitoba.

On Friday, March 13 CUPE reached out to the Minister of Education’s office to express our concerns.

School Divisions have taken different approaches to how staff will be handled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

School staff in most divisions have been asked to report to work during the closures. On March 16, CUPE expressed our concerns around school bus drivers being asked to perform medical assessments on students in one Division.

CUPE believes all school support staff deserve full protections in the case of school suspensions or closures.

CUPE’s is asking School Divisions to ensure the following:

Education Assistants, clerical, library techs and other non-teaching employees, including liaisons, IT, International Student Support, central office staff, crossing guards, child support workers etc.

• EAs and other non-teaching employees should not perform the duties of custodians, cleaners, or other duties outside of their bargaining unit.
• All staff should be provided with appropriate training related to their duties, as well as precautions related to COVID-19, reviewed by the union.
• Where necessary, child-care shall be provided at no cost for school division employees. If this is not available, parents of children needing care shall be allowed to stay home with full wage continuance, benefits, pension contributions, vacation accumulation, and any other regular form of compensation.
• Should schools cease operations entirely, it is CUPE’s position that School Divisions provide full wage continuance, as well as benefits, pension contributions, vacation accumulation etc., and any other regular form of compensation for affected members.

 Custodians, maintenance, trades, painters etc.

• Custodians, maintenance, trades, painters etc. should not perform duties outside the work of their bargaining unit.
• All staff should be provided with appropriate training related to their duties, as well as precautions related to COVID-19, reviewed by the union.
• Where necessary, child-care shall be provided at no cost for school division employees. If this is not available, parents of children needing care shall be allowed to stay home with full wage continuance, benefits, pension contributions, vacation accumulation, and any other regular form of compensation.
• Should schools cease operations entirely, it is CUPE’s position that School Divisions provide full wage continuance, as well as benefits, pension contributions, vacation accumulation etc. for affected members.

Bus drivers, mechanics etc.

• Bus drivers and mechanics should not perform duties outside the work of their bargaining unit.
• All staff should be provided with appropriate training related to their duties, as well as precautions related to COVID-19, reviewed by the union.
• Where necessary, child-care shall be provided at no cost for school division employees. If this is not available, parents of children needing care shall be allowed to stay home with full wage continuance, benefits, pension contributions, vacation accumulation, and any other regular form of compensation.
• Should schools or bus routes cease operations entirely, it is CUPE’s position that School Divisions provide full wage continuance, as well as benefits, pension contributions, vacation accumulation etc., and any other regular form of compensation for affected members.

CUPE will also utilize the tools that we have – our collective agreement and layoff language – if employers are unable to continue to pay regular wages.

CUPE recognizes that these are difficult circumstances, and we are prepared to discuss with School Divisions how to best get through them. However, we also have rights and collective agreements which need to be respected and enforced.

With that said, CUPE takes the position that employees should not be doing the work of members of other bargaining units to which they are not a member except in the following circumstances:

• It has been agreed to, in writing, by the impacted bargaining units;
• Employees have been provided with the full training and education to do the assigned task in a manner which does not jeopardize the health and safety of themselves or others;
• Employees have been provided with all appropriate levels of safety gear, including gloves and masks, and where appropriate other personal protective equipment;
• If an employee refuses to perform duties for health or safety reasons, all efforts should be made to accommodate the employee to another duty.

CUPE also echoes the principles outlined by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, and expect equal consideration is afforded to support staff.

1. If schools are closed, status of employment is working from home – salary and benefits continue.
2. If classes are suspended (no students) members will report to work as assigned by their school divisions (note our above concerns on duties assigned) – salary and benefits continue.
3. If a member is quarantined (not sick): status of employment is on an ‘administrative (paid) leave’ – salary and benefits continue.
4. If a member is quarantines (sick): sick leave provisions apply.
5. If a member is quarantined (sick) and sick leave provisions run out: in the case of a medically disabling condition, short-term and long-term benefits apply.
6. If the employer directs the employee to stay at home and the employee is not sick then the employer shall pay the employee as if they are working from home.

CUPE echoes the Manitoba Teachers Society’s call for schools to be suspended as soon as possible.

Joint Health and Safety Committees

CUPE is asking all employers and locals to work with their Joint Health and Safety Committees to review any pandemic plan or develop one if there is not one already in place. This plan will help to provide direction where there is uncertainty for employees and families.

Below are points should be included in the plan:

• A statement that encourages workers to stay home if they have symptoms of infection.
• The identification of decision makers within the organization and key personnel who manage the plan and monitor absence rates.
• Measures and strategies to respond to staff shortages.
• The identification of how the employer will screen visitors and clients for the disease before they access the workplace.
• The contingency plan in the event of a public transit shutdown.
• Personal protective equipment (individual requirements, training, and stockpile).
• The role of the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative.
• Financial compensation for those who are required to quarantine, self isolate or required to take care of family members, if not covered in the collective agreement.
• Mental health support for grieving workers or those suffering from anxiety or trauma.
• Levels of increased environment/custodial cleaning practices and routines.
• The identification of how the employer will communicate with the Public Health Unit, if required.

CUPE will continue to monitor the situation as it changes, and will protect the rights or our members.

CUPE represents over 5,000 K-12 school support staff including EAs, library techs, bus drivers, custodians, maintenance, liaisions and others.

If you are experiencing symptoms and recently traveled outside Canada or you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19, it is advised that you stay home and contact Health Links (204-788-8200) or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257) for instructions.

Shared Health also offers an online self-screening tool: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/

For the latest news visit:

Government of Canada:  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html

Government of Manitoba:  https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/coronavirus/
Shared Health (including resources for health care staff):  https://sharedhealthmb.ca/health-providers/coronavirus-resources/
Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits: www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html

WINNIPEG – CUPE is calling on School Divisions to cancel school bus routes, following the
Louis Riel School Division’s (LRSD) March 15th email to parents noting that school bus drivers
are expected to conduct medical assessments of students prior to letting them on the bus.
Additionally, according to the email, school bus drivers are required to permit students on the bus
who exhibit flu-like symptoms.

“CUPE is incredibly concerned that the School Division is expecting bus drivers to conduct
medical assessments of students,” said Rick Peschel, CUPE School Sector Coordinator.
“Considering the health authorities’ suggestion of social distancing, we’re not convinced that is
possible on a school bus.”

Bus drivers are not equipped to provide accurate medical assessments of students or parents
entering their vehicle.

Bus drivers do not have the appropriate health and safety tools to perform their duties in an
enclosed vehicle with students who may have COVID-19-like symptoms.

Drivers who identify students with flu-like symptoms do not have the appropriate tools or training
to ensure that the quarantined student follows social distancing procedures.

“Bus drivers should be focused on the road, not on enforcing a quarantine at the back of their
bus,” said Peschel. “For the safety of the students and staff, CUPE is calling for the cancellation
of school bus routes going forward, asking parents to assess their children who may have flu-like
symptoms by calling Health Links, and arranging alternate transportation.”

CUPE also echoes the Manitoba Teachers Society’s call for schools to be suspended as soon as
possible.

Should schools or bus routes cease operations entirely, it is CUPE’s position that School
Divisions should provide full wage continuance for affected members, including bus drivers,
educational assistants, secretaries, custodians and other staff.

The LRSD memo to parents can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/lrsd/important-informationabout-
covid-4351387?e=8123f27ae5

CUPE represents over 5,000 school division employees across Manitoba.