We were informed that redeployment within the health system may be necessary to meet the requirements of the COVID 19 pandemic. At the provincial level, principles are negotiated to determine how redeployment to different jobs, areas of work or different tasks. Our attention is to ensure that you, our members, will feel safe and capable in the role in which you are redistributed. If you are asked to re-provide them, please contact your LOCAL CUPE and provide the name and contact information of the director or human resources advisor who will discuss these plans. Members should be aware of their rights in the workplace in these exceptional circumstances; We have negotiated some of them in response to this health emergency: the B.C. health system is on alert to contain and slow the spread of COVID-19. During the situation, the Ministry of Health, the National Office of Public Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control provide new information every day. As the province responds to the COVID-19 health emergency, the provincial public health officer has issued orders and the BCCDC and the Ministry of Health continue to provide additional information that we can share with you. This information has been updated today, is summarized in this newsletter and will be published in more detail on our often updated COVID-19 FAQ page.

On March 26 and 27, 2020, Dr. Bonnie Henry, the province`s health officer, gave a mandate to limit the movement of staff between long-term care centres, hospitals and other health care sites. We believe that few CUPE members are affected by these contracts. However, If you are a CUPE member who works at least in part in a long-term care facility, hospital, assisted housing, provincial psychiatric centre, expanded nursing centre or B.C rehabilitation centre. Please read the following questions and answers: Please visit your CUPE Health Community Member website on bcchs.cupe.ca and follow @cupecommunityhealthbc on Facebook and Instagram for regular information and important updates. AEP members – physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists and health engineers – represent a small portion of some 10,000 professionals. This “short-term work” bonus should be paid to nurses who have been classified as working in the short term following a joint assessment and implementation process with health authorities and welfare health care on April 1, 2020.