Wage Equity Update #35 – New Wage Rates for April 2021

New Wage Rates Effective April 2021

The BC Government has provided funding for a 2.25% wage increase.  The new rates include an amount called a General Wage Increase (GWI) of 2% and a Service Improvement Allocation (SIA) of 0.25%.

Spectrum Society for Community Living
WAGE GRIDS	(July 2020)	(April 2021)
	2020-2021	2021-2022
	Sleep Night	Sleep Night
Start	14.75	$15.20
After 1,500 hrs	14.85	$15.30
After 3,000 hrs	14.95	$15.40
After 4,500 hrs	15.05	$15.50
	2020-2021	2021-2022
	CSW	CSW
Start	$19.65	$20.09
After 1,500 hrs	$20.45	$20.91
After 3,000 hrs	$21.20	$21.68
After 4,500 hrs	$22.25	$22.75
Senior CSW	$23.25	$23.77
	2020-2021	2021-2022
	Key Worker (add 0.25 to CSW)	Key Worker (add 0.25 to CSW)
	2020-2021	2021-2022
	Manager	Manager
Start	$25.00	$25.56
After 1,500 hrs	$25.75	$26.33
After 3,000 hrs	$26.75	$27.35
After 4,500 hrs	$27.75	$28.37
MGR SP specialist	$29.50	$30.16

 

Equal Pay BC

Our increases do not include the Low Wage Redress (LWR) of 3.4%, but we are continuing to advocate for the increases to be provided to ALL community social services employees.

The website www.equalpaybc.ca has information on our Labour Relations Board complaint of Unfair Labour Practices against the Provincial Government.  We argue that government is coercing social services employees to join unions by providing a wage incentive to unionize.  As well, we argue employees have the right to decide whether or not they will join a group and should not have government influencing this decision.

SunLife Dental and Extended Health Benefits:

Our health, dental, disability and life benefits with SunLife were renewed effective May 1, 2021 and came with an overall 11% increase.  The biggest increase was for the Long Term Disability benefit which increased 30%.  One option to control these increases is to remove the Lumino Virtual Health services that we added to our benefits in May 2020.  From the Lumino website article – Is Virtual Care Right for Me:

For many Canadians, it’s difficult to physically go to health-care appointments. The benefits of virtual care are even greater for people with chronic conditions, mobility issues and those living in remote areas.

If your doctor doesn’t offer online appointments, you could choose one of several Canadian telemedicine service providers. They work like virtual walk-in clinics.

Many paramedical providers also offer virtual care appointments. You can connect with a physiotherapist, psychologist, dietitian and more online or over the phone.

If you are on our Sun Life benefits and want to explore this benefit more, check out this website:

https://luminohealth.sunlife.ca/s/?language=en_US

We will be surveying employees in the next few months to determine your interest in continuing with this benefit.

Paid Leave for Vaccinations

The Provincial Government recently amended the Employment Standards Act to require employers to provide 3 hours paid leave for people to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.  We will pay employees for 3 hours if they provide us with a copy of their vaccine certificate.  Send a photo or scan of your certificate to HR@spectrumsociety.org.  We will add these special leave hours to the next pay period.

Paid Leave for Vaccinations

We have updated our policies for required training and what training will be paid time.  Existing employees will be paid up to 8 hours upon successful completion of their First Aid renewal.  New employees will be paid to complete the online CLBC Privacy and Information Management training and assigned courses on Open Future Learning, as directed at the time of hire.

Staying Safe and Healthy

Please remember the layers of protection that will keep you, your family and our teams safe – stay home if you are sick, keep your distance, wear a mask, keep your social circle small.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the people we support and their families.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Also available online: https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/Files/WageEquity/WageEquityUpdate35.pdf

Ernie Baatz

Executive Director

Spectrum Society for Community Living

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APRIL 29, 2021 Mental Health Week: Real conversations about mental health and suicide prevention Next week is Mental Health Week – May 3 to 9. It’s the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA’s) annual campaign to raise mental health awareness. This year’s campaign is asking Canadians to “#GetReal about how you feel.” It’s an important message. Difficult feelings can lighten when you put them into words. So, CMHA is encouraging people to understand and name how they feel, then talk to others about it. These simple, honest conversations are one way to keep mental health struggles in check. To support this campaign, we’re engaging in an honest conversation about a difficult mental health topic: suicide. We’re encouraging those experiencing thoughts of suicide to talk to others and seek help. We’re reaching out to you and your employees with resources to help those who are struggling. Why the focus on suicide prevention? On average, more than 10 Canadians die by suicide each day. For every person lost to suicide, many more experience thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. With every death by suicide, anywhere from seven to 10 survivors are significantly affected by the loss. The pandemic has brought mental health problems – and the issue of suicide – to the forefront. The CMHA partnered with researchers from the University of British Columbia in May 20201. They found that more than 1 in 20 Canadians (6%) had experienced thoughts or feelings of suicide as a result of the pandemic. That was up from 2.5% who reported suicidal thoughts in the previous year. We recognize this is a difficult topic for employers to navigate. That’s why we’re supporting you with resources that can help address suicide prevention in your workplace. Resources for suicide prevention There are several prevention resources that can help you and your employees recognize the signs of someone in distress. We offer free resources on suicide awareness and prevention in our mental health strategy toolkit. You can access the resources that relate to suicide prevention here. There are also some excellent free resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Government of Canada. Partnering with the CMHA and Centre for Suicide Prevention In addition, Sun Life is partnering with and championing Buddy Up. This is a CMHA program through its Centre for Suicide Prevention. Buddy Up specifically focuses on providing support to men. This is an important resource, as Canadian men have a suicide rate three times higher than women2. The higher rate can be attributed, in part, to the tendency of men not to talk about their emotions. This can lead to dealing with emotional pain through harmful behaviours and actions, including suicide, instead of seeking help. Buddy Up has a toolkit that addresses men and suicide. They also offer a free online, skills-based suicide prevention training program – START. The training takes less than two hours and can help people recognize when someone has thoughts of suicide. They can then take action to connect the person to an intervention provider.

 

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Hello UAC and HDUAC members,

I am reaching out today as TransLink is seeking individuals interested in volunteering for a HandyDART photoshoot and video filming. I would also ask that you share this with your networks (e.g. forward this email, share on social media, etc.).

We are hoping to engage HandyDART customers and members of the public (or members of the disability community) who represent the diversity of our region, including diversity of disabilities, race and ethnicity, gender expression, and age. Below are details on each opportunity.

Photoshoot

• This photoshoot will be scheduled between mid May and mid June.
• These photos could be used in a wide range of ways, including training material and advertisements.
• The photoshoot will follow public health guidelines.
• An honorarium of $250 will be paid for half day sessions and $500 for full day sessions.
• Photoshoot will be accessible via HandyDART and TransLink staff will be on hand to support with any individual needs.

Videos

• The videos schedule is currently under development, but will likely be filmed between mid May and mid June.
• Video will have tutorial content, focusing on how-tos and not promotional. Stills may be selectively extracted for web-use. These videos may be used in a wide range of ways, including training presentations and advertisements.
• The filming will follow public health guidelines.
• An honorarium of $250 will be paid for half day sessions and $500 for full day sessions.
• Filming will be accessible via HandyDART and TransLink staff will be on hand to support with any individual needs.

Right now, we are looking for an expression of interest – depending on level of interest, diversity/representation, and availabilities, we may not be able to include everyone who volunteers.

To help us confirm participants, can you please connect with Richard with the following questions.

This information will be only be used by a small committee of TransLink employees to select a group of participants who reflect the diversity of our region.

1. Please provide the following information (required):

1. 1. Are you interested in participating in the photoshoot, videos or both (and have availability in the times indicated above):
   2. Name:
   3. Age Range:
   4. Gender/expression:
   5. Race and/or ethnicity:
   6. Primary Language:
   7. Location/City (this will to help us plan locations/logistics):
   8. Are you a HandyDART user?
   9. Do you identify as having a disability?
   10. Do you use a mobility device (if yes, which type)?
   11. Will you be participating with an attendant? If so, are they also interested in participating? This will be useful, in particular to ensure we comply with public health guidelines.
   12. Will you be participating with a service animal or guide dog?
   13. How can we support your attendance at the photoshoot?
   14. Preferred way to contact you and contact information (some people prefer text vs. phone calls, emails vs. text, etc.):
   15. If you are comfortable, please also attach a photo of yourself.

This information will help us to ensure we have a group of participants who reflect the diversity of our region.

Please contact Richard Marion directly by email (Richard.Marion@Translink.ca) with the above information by Thursday, April 22 if you are interested. Please call him at 778-375-7665 if you’re uncomfortable providing this information by email – you will need to leave a message and Richard will call you back. You will be contacted if you’re selected to participate.

Although the deadline has already past, please still reach out if you are interested in participating. 

Thank you,

Briana

Briana Ingram (she/her)

Manager, Access Transit Planning

TransLink

400-287 Nelson’s Court, New Westminster, BC, V3L 0E7, Canada

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RISE Community Groups and Workshops

For info or to register:

• Email info@cnh.bc.ca
• Call Collingwood Neighbourhood House at 604-435-0323
• Or ask a RISE Staff member

Spots are limited.  Registration required.

Please click these links below for further details:

Rise Groups

RISE Spring 2021 Workshops Info

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It is a great time to review the contents of emergency medical and earthquake kits in your home. 

Are your water and food rations currently dated? Other items like glow sticks and batteries have expiry dates. It’s a good time to make sure everything is up to date.

Did you use some of the medical supplies during the year?  Now is a great time to order replacement items.  Please note that WCB First Aid Kits are required in all of the homes that are staffed.

Have there been changes in the number of people residing in your home?  Do you need more or less supplies?

Have any of the people you live with changed their diets over the past year? Do you need to change the dietary foods in their earthquake kits?

If you need help with restocking your emergency medical and earthquake supplies please feel free to contact Judy Smith at judy@spectrumsociety.org for assistance.

It is a good time to review all safety procedures in the home; making sure that exit routes are clear of debris, including accessing risk factors (for example, moving items on shelves that could fall and moving heavy items to bottom shelves instead of top shelves). Are all staff are familiar with where emergency care items are stored?  Please review the following information from our policy manual with the staff and individuals you support. Include staff to join on skype or zoom if you cannot meet in person so everyone is familiar with this process.

(https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/General%20Policies/34.0.EmergencyPreparedness.pdf)

When you have completed your Earthquake Drill please record this information on Sharevision.

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How to Register for First Aid:

We recommend obtaining and/or renewing your First Aid through St. John’s Ambulance with the Emergency First Aid Community Care course. If there is another course offered by a different provider, please contact Human Resources prior to enrolling to determine if it is equivalent and meets the basic requirements.

To obtain/renew through St John’s Ambulance, please call (604) 321-7242

• They above number is their main line, but they have a number of locations across the lower mainland if you would like to call a location directly: http://www.sja.ca/English/About-Us/Pages/Locations.aspx
• Register yourself for Emergency First Aid Community Care.

If an employee does not have a valid first aid certificate upon hire, the fee to obtain or renew certification is the responsibility of the employee. Future renewal fees for active employees are covered by Spectrum.

• If you are renewing your first aid, ask St. John Ambulance to invoice Spectrum Society
• Let them know Spectrum Society will be paying for your course fee.

*St. John Ambulance may request authorization from Spectrum. Email hr@spectrumsociety.org with the date/location you want to complete the course and we will call them to confirm your registration.

First Aid is a requirement for employment as indicated in ‘Policy 4: Requirements for Employment. Below is a link to Spectrum’s First Aid policy:

https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/Personnel%20Policies/P04.0.Requirements.for.Employment.pdf

For employees renewing their first aid, please ensure St. John’s Ambulance (SJA) includes the CPR pocket mask with your first aid registration. If the CPR pocket mask is not included with your registration fee, SJA requires attendees pay for this on the day of course completion; you can save your receipt and submit it to Human Resources for reimbursement.  

Please email your certificate of course completion to hr@spectrumsociety.org to have your file updated.

Please let Judy know if you have any questions or issues registering, by emailing judy@spectrumsociety.org