Read the City Q & A sheet about absences related to COVID-19

Sisters and Brothers, a pandemic was declared yesterday. Your Union is taking all available steps to secure your health and safety and that of the people we transport. The City of Edmonton has taken dramatic steps to limit contact between people. Sports events, theatre events, public gatherings of all types and business travel beyond the City are suspended, but there is still nothing specific that will protect transit operators, cleaners, service persons, mechanics and other members from contact with the virus. There’s still no contact from the Cities of Red Deer and St. Albert that they have any plan to protect transit workers. Our days are spent trying to elicit responses about this.

Tonight, Financial Secretary Damir Begovic and I participated in a Townhall Meeting hosted by ATU Canada about COVID-19. The situation across the country is similar to our situation here in Alberta in that there’s a wide discrepancy of response to the risks. At this crucial point in the evolution of the pandemic, we have to consider a few basic facts:

 The virus spreads through bodily fluids: sneeze spray, cough spray, hand-to-face-to-to-hard-surface contact.

• Masks do not protect the wearer, they protect others FROM the wearer.
• Contagion occurs BEFORE the onset of symptoms, meaning people who don’t know they have it are out there.
• People who demonstrate symptoms should GO HOME and call 811 and be instructed by that source

 The best ways to protect yourself are:

 The BEST protection is “Social Distancing” – keep at least a metre from others – 2 metres is best. Note: Operators are particularly at risk here. We know that it is difficult to keep a meters distance from the public. Be bold and protect yourself. If there is a problem contact the Union.

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Do not attend large gatherings: meetings, conventions, sports events and so on
• Wash, wash, wash your hands
• Don’t touch your face (this is incredibly difficult)

 Tonight, your Union is on this issue and we will stay on it, but we need you to be on it, too. Your family, your community need you to be on this. Follow the protocols, encourage your family and social circle to follow them. If we all do our bit –  and it’s not hard – we’ll get through this with all of our families intact and healthy.

 We’ll keep you updated as the pandemic develops. Be safe, be healthy,

 In solidarity,

 

Steve Bradshaw

President/Business Agent