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Nova Scotia government’s plan to re-open child care centres presents health risks to children and staff

Child care centres in Nova Scotia are re-opening on Monday, June 15 and the province’s plans are not sufficient, says the union representing more than 150 early childhood educators (ECE). While the members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3688 and Local 4745 understand the importance of providing child care and reviving the economy, they feel there are too many risks in the way that the province is handling the re- opening of centres, to both children and staff. The province’s plan indicates that children and staff will not be required to wear facemasks, and that the only time that staff will be given access to a non-surgical mask is when they are within two meters of a child who is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. “Anyone who has met a three-year-old knows that this is a ridiculous proposition, and that by the time you’re able to put on a … Read more…

Letter to the editor: Who needs childcare?

The following letter to the editor by Elizabeth Conrad, early childhood educator and member of CUPE 4745, was published in the Chronicle Herald on June 8, 2020. The Nova Scotia Centre of Education and Early Childhood Development, following the recommendation of Dr. Robert Strang, closed all public schools and licensed child-care providers in March. As the province was dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic, the safety of all children in Nova Scotia was the top priority. As Nova Scotia begins to slowly and carefully remove restrictions, it will be a balancing act of stabilizing the economy while protecting public health. A process has been established by Public Health to carefully examine and approve revision plans for the delivery of all public services. What about parents who require childcare as the economy begins to slowly reopen? Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Strang have often discussed the reopening of childcare centres as … Read more…

Employer Obligations for Returning to Work During COVID-19

This FAQ answers some of the most common questions about employer obligations and the duty to accommodate workers in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please note that although the law on accommodations and COVID-19 has not been settled by courts and tribunals, accommodation obligations typically arise where an individual and/or a family member is immunocompromised or immunosuppressed. Alternately, there may be a requirement to provide care to a sick family member. As such, we expect that the employer would be held to the obligations set out below. What if I believe my workplace is unsafe due to COVID-19? Employees who believe their employer has not implemented safety measures to make their workspace safe or meet the safety guidelines set out by the government have the right to refuse unsafe work. Read more about COVID-19 and the right to refuse unsafe work: https://cupe.ca/covid-19-and-right-refuse-unsafe-work. What if I am immunocompromised or immunosuppressed? An employer has a legal duty to accommodate employees with an … Read more…