Hello, Everybody. Normal seems like a long time ago. I hope you are all well, that your families and extended families are well. It’s a time to reflect on the importance of our relationships and to take steps to strengthen them. 

Before I get to the current issues for today, I promised on Sunday to bring you more information about EFAS connections for the Red Deer and St. Albert Bargaining Units:

For Red Deer, Aspiria, is the Counselling provider for employees and their families. They can be reached at 1-877-234-5327. It’s a stressful time and they are there for you to use. Be assured, though, they are busy, too and you may need to be patient getting through to them.

For Members working for Diversified Transportation in St. Albert, your options are not as accessible. There is provision in your Benefits covering you for the services of a registered Psychologist. That’s it. There may be some Federal or Provincial coverage you would qualify for, but your employer does not engage a proper Employee and Family Services provider. Something for the next round of Bargaining?

In other business, I can report:

• For ETS Operators, the COVID signup is now half complete. The signup starts on Sunday. Thanks to Anita, Raj & Daryll as well as the dispatchers and shift designers for being on top of the signup and getting it this far along.
• ETS DATS Operator Signup is postponed and Operators will continue working their shift from the winter signup for now. Except! There will be a mini signup for the Victoria Day Stat only. Stay tuned!
• People working from Kathleen Andrews, rejoice! The trains will stop there at all times now. The peak hour restriction is lifted.
• Also for DATS, a 3-passenger limit is imposed and fare collection is waived
• More cleaners are being deployed at DL MacDonald as the LRVs are coming in dirtier than expected.
• Route 747 service to the airport is suspended for travelers. Carrying air travelers is maybe not such a good idea these days, but it is still on for transporting employees working in the airport and the mall.
• All 30’ buses are shut down for lack of a security shield. Operators are re-deployed to other work. (And, BTW, having those shields in the Conventional buses makes us the envy of the Nation)
• In St. Albert, the Union is working with management to find a better way to transport Operators to and from their relief point. The current method totally violates proximity protocols.
• In Red Deer, the Union is working with management to develop a rotation of Operators that will give everybody a fair break from this intense environment.
• Maintenance members are wondering if they will get a break in their work hours like others seem to be getting. The short answer? Not any time soon. Although work is slow in heavy shop areas, it is ramped up in other areas.
• Cleaning of buses has meant the redeployment of a lot of workers from other areas to help make the workplace safe for everybody. It may mean redeployment of some of our members from slower work areas to more intense activity zones. 

Sisters & Brothers, that is my report for tonight. We all still have jobs, our paycheques are intact. I want to thank the people who keep the lights on, those who keep us safe, those who keep the water running and those who keep the payroll happening. Especially, I want to thank all of you who keep it all rolling. You are amazing!

I wish you safely to work and safely home.

Be Safe, Be Healthy, Be Apart

In Solidarity,

Steve Bradshaw
President \ Business Agent