News

Shields On Buses

Brothers/Sisters,

Reminder Physical Distancing

GRT – Notice

Posting Date: April 6, 2020
Removal Date: May 10, 2020

Posting Date: May 21, 2020

Reminder – Maintaining 2-Metre Distances
To All Employees,

Thank-you for your continued efforts during this time. I wanted
to remind everyone of the following:

 Wash your hands often and don’t touch your face

 Wipe down your driver’s area\computer desk area with
disinfectant prior to initial use

 When tapping in please tap in and go to your bus.
o It is best currently not to linger in the lunchroom or
around Dispatch

o We have added another Tap-In at Strasburg to assist
with social distancing

o When waiting to Tap-In please always maintain the 2-
metre distances

Any questions, please speak with your Supervisor.
Ken McCready
Manager – Transit Operations

COVID-19 – Positive Case

Posting Date: May 17, 2020
Removal Date: 31, 2020

We have been made aware of an employee that has tested positive for COVID-19.

The operator is doing well.  Region staff are conducting contact tracing currently and will be informing any employees that have been in close contact with the operator and with staff physically distancing from one another we expect this to be minimal.

We want to ensure that confidentiality is upheld as it relates the medical condition of employees and therefore we will be respecting this information.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to speak to your Supervisor.

Peter Zinck
Director, Transit Services

Notice: 2020-1743

Positive Covid-19 Test at GRT

Brothers/Sisters,

GRT let us know this evening that someone has tested positive for the COVID-19. The region along with public health has started contract tracing.

I explained some of the other concerns we have to Peter Zinck about the sterilization of buses, lunchrooms. We will be gaining new information every day and we will keep everyone posted.

Please keep washing your hands, coughing into your arm, use hand sanitizer, use gloves, and wear a mask if you have one. Keep your area on the bus clean as well.

I am sure there will be lots of questions, and as I stated hopefully we can give more updates tomorrow as more information comes forward.

In Solidarity,

Tim Jewell – President Unifor 4304

What is Contract Tracing?

What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing is a process that is used to identify, educate and monitor individuals who have had close contact with someone who is infected with a virus. These individuals are at a higher risk of becoming infected and sharing the virus with others. Contact tracing can help the individuals understand their risk and limit further spread of the virus.

What is the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Initiative?

If you have COVID-19 or have had contact with someone who has the virus, a PHO representative may contact you during your self-isolation to ensure you are following the requirements, check in about symptoms, and connect you with additional supports as needed. If necessary, our representatives may connect you with a local public health unit for further assessment.

GRT – Notice COVID-19 – Positive Case

Posting Date: May 17, 2020
Removal Date: 31, 2020

We have been made aware of an employee that has tested positive for COVID-19.
The operator is doing well. Region staff are conducting contact tracing currently and will
be informing any employees that have been in close contact with the operator and with
staff physically distancing from one another we expect this to be minimal.
We want to ensure that confidentiality is upheld as it relates to the medical condition of
employees and therefore we will be respecting this information.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to speak to your Supervisor.

Peter Zinck
Director, Transit Services

Notice: 2020-1743

Information Fare Collection

Brothers/Sisters,

Renewal Of CERB Payments

All Brothers/Sisters,

The renewal payments are not automatic, meaning anyone who applied for CERB between
April 6 and April 10 will need to reapply for the benefit.

For the upcoming wave of payments. CERB recipients born in January. February or March can
begin applying on May II, those born in April. May or June can begin to apply on May 12, those
born in July, August or September can begin on May 13 and those born in October, November or
December can begin their application on May 14. according to the Canada Revenue Agency
website.

To qualify for the benefit, Canadians must be at least 15 years of age and have been forced out
of work due to the pandemic. They must also have earned at least $5,000 in the previous
calendar year and now expect to make less than $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB
payments.

Recipients can reapply for the benefit either online or by calling 1 (800) 959-2019.
Those receiving the benefit through Service Canada must fill out their El Report Card to receive
the payment.

GRT – Update

To All Brothers/Sisters,

Group Grievance

To All Brothers/Sisters,

We are in the process of preparing for a group grievance in reference to the use of sick time or sick banks. We need to know if any members had to use their sick bank during the time they were off because of symptoms related to COVID-19 or because of restrictions returning to Canada from abroad.

Please email me at timjewell4304@gmail.com

In Solidarity,

Tim Jewell – President Unifor 4304