Manitoba has reached agreements with three unions representing health-care workers for compensation for staff that are redeployed or reassigned to priority areas during COVID-19.
Priority areas are described in the agreements as personal care homes (PCHs), Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and dedicated COVID-19 units throughout the province. Under the agreements employers have the ability to make changes to work assignments, work locations, schedules, shift patterns and hours of work.
Staff affected by disruptions to their normal work schedule or reassignment to ‘priority areas’ will receive an allowance for each disruption. Staff redeployed to the north will also receive travel reimbursement and compensation. Staff already in the north will also get compensated if they have to travel to other communities to pick up additional shifts.
“Health-care workers have been at the forefront of Manitoba’s response to the pandemic, showing unrelenting dedication and commitment to patients in hospital and in the community as well as those Manitobans living in personal care homes,” said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “This agreement recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of staff whose personal and professional lives may be disrupted by a change in their work that is made necessary by the demands of COVID-19.”
These agreements have been reached with the Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and Manitoba Association of Health Care Providers (MAHCP).
The agreements remain in place until the end of the pandemic response in Manitoba.
“We’re pleased that we were able to negotiate an agreement that both helps with the pandemic effort and provides some recognition for more health workers who are caring for our most vulnerable during this challenging time,” said Michelle Gawronsky, president, MGEU.
© News4.ca 2020
