We hope you are having a great summer under these circumstances. It is hard to believe that we are already in August and time is flying by. Before we know it, fall will be here, and schools will be open. Many of us are facing challenges both physically and mentally with the thought of schools re-opening and have many questions around what it will look like. We have been bombarded with questions and concerns that are understandable and relevant.
We wanted to give a brief summary of the behind the scenes that many are unaware of. The union has been working with the board on planning what our return to work will look like. The Education Minister has not made it easy as he often flips between ideas on what the re-opening of schools will look like. As a Health and Safety Rep, I want to make sure that protocols are put into place to ensure the safety of all members and their families. That being said there is still a lot of work to be done. We know as support staff our role is very different than most in the building.
Some concerns that have been addressed to us is the inability to keep two metres distance between us and many of our students and other staff members. This issue isn’t just for everyday routines but for situations where a student is having a difficult day and needs to have a hands-on approach for their safety as well as ours.
The protocol for when a student or staff member has any signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19 is that they will be immediately isolated in a secure “health” room. If it is a student, their parents will be called to come get them ASAP. A staff member who shows any signs/symptoms will also be sent home. In order to return to work they will be required to be symptom free for 24 hours as well as have a negative COVID-19 test. The people who were in the room where the person suspected of COVID-19 symptoms will be moved to an isolated location like the stage etc. if required until the location can be “deep” cleaned. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the schools the Durham Region Health Department will take over and direct the response.
We will be re-visiting all safety plans on a regular basis to ensure that the guidelines from the Health Department are being followed and kept up to date and addressing concerns around the protocol for masks/face shields.
We have had discussions with the board about installing plexiglass in the main office of each school and the board has proceeded to measure a designated spot for plexiglass to be installed in the offices. This plexiglass will not be across the entire front of the office but rather to create a “kiosk” type window where people will be funneled to.
There is also a group of custodial staff that are developing the cleaning protocols for when school goes back in September.
These are just some of the concerns that we are continuing to address with the board. That being said we know it is difficult with the uncertainty of what the return to work is going to look like, but we wanted to assure you that we are working to ensure that every member is as safe as possible while at work.
As always at any time, if you feel that you are unsafe doing your job you always have the right to refuse unsafe work. You are the only one who determines if you feel unsafe, no one has the right to tell you something is safe if you honestly believe you are unsafe. We ask for your patience as we seek more answers for the many questions that are on everyone’s mind.
Carrie Boisvert- Health and Safety Rep
Sean Hebert- Custodian Chairperson
Mike Morris- SECRETARIAL / CLERICAL / TECHNICAL Chairperson
Maureen Cope – EA Chairperson
