MEMO – Transit Disruptions
There has been consistent news about current and future transit disruptions. Last week, the union started limited job action by asking operators to not wear their uniforms, and by asking mechanics to stop working overtime. This week, the parties are back at the negotiating table, but if there is no resolution, the union will ask bus drivers to stop working overtime. As has been observed with the Seabus trip cancellations, the transit system runs on overtime, so when bus drivers stop working overtime, there will be gaps in bus service. SkyTrain and Canada Line are run by different companies, so they will still be operating, but not everyone lives close to SkyTrain.
We don’t want to increase your anxiety, so we’d like to give you some actions to help your teams be proactive.
- Talk to your teams and make sure they are aware of the possibility of increasing disruptions to transit. Get people to think about how they will get to work without bus service. How much longer will it take? Do they have access to a ride or a car to get to work?
- Are there schedule changes that could help staff get to work on time and spend less time on travel?
- Ask staff to record their hours accurately. We want to ensure that people staying late are recognized for extra work. Everyone may have to make adjustments, increases and decreases in hours, and accurate recording will ensure people are compensated and recognized accordingly.
- Write to politicians, the bus company, the union to let them know how much you rely on the bus system for your work, your family and for the people you support.
Coast Mountain Bus Company: https://new.translink.ca/feedback
Minister responsible for Transit:
Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing:
Room 310, Parliament Buildings, Victoria BC V8V 1X4
Unifor – Gavin McGarrigle, Western Regional Director
Your MLA:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/content-committees/Pages/MLA-Contact- Information.aspx
Please let us know of any other creative ideas your teams come up with to ensure we continue to provide the services the people we support need in their homes and in community.
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UPDATE
Talks again break down in the Unifor/Coast Mountain Bus Company labour dispute in Metro Vancouver. The union says job action will escalate.
This could have a significant impact on bus service.
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With the treat of escalation in the Transit dispute one team is putting thought to how to best support the individuals (staff and those they support) within their team.
The Community Inclusion Collingwood Team has been staying on top of the pending bus strike
The following is how to sign up for any disruptions or changes to the bus schedules:
Note to stay up to date on any service disruptions Sign in got trans alerts
@
alerts.tanslink.ca
or
Twitter @translink
It’s a good idea to start talking about a contingency plan for getting to work in the morning and share it with your team(s) and post your plan on Sharevision so everyone has access to that plan.
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Welcome to TeksMed our new Disability Management provider!
We have now transitioned from DMI (Disability Management Institute) over to TeksMed on October 1st, 2019.
Similar to DMI, TeksMed will be working with Spectrum to proactively manage employees’ occupational and non-occupational injuries and illnesses and to ensure that employees are receiving the necessary support with documentation and return to work planning following an absence from work.
To read more about TeksMed, please review their website: https://teksmed.com/#about
If you have any questions, please email hr@spectrumsociety.org
More information to follow next month!
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Have you referred a New Hire to Spectrum?
Referrals are one of the best ways to recruit! We appreciate all of them, so please keep sending them our way!
If you refer someone you know to Spectrum and they are hired and stay with us for 9 months, we’ll provide you with a $50 bonus as a thank you for sending us great people!!
Please make sure you let the person you’re referring know to mention you when they apply and come in for their interview. It’s also a good idea to email personnel@spectrumsociety.org and give Human Resources a heads up.
Thank you!
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Registering your Compass Card
You might want to register your Compass Card to protect your unused balance if your card is lost or stolen.
Below please find the Translink link to register your card:
https://www.compasscard.ca/RegisterCompassCard
- They will ask for the compass card number
- CVN code (which is on the back of the compass card)
- Card name is optional (give your card a name (e.g. John UBC – instead of a number)
Then a check “I agree to the Compass Card Terms and Conditions of Use for creating an account”
Then follow the prompts.
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Are you an active member of the Municipal Pension Plan and within five years of retirement?
The plan’s Board of Trustees is considering changes to the post-retirement extended health and dental benefits program. We want to hear what members believe are the most important group benefits and why.
Go to mpp.pensionsbc.ca for more information and to access an online survey.
Be sure your feedback is considered in possible benefits plan changes – participate by November 15, 2019.
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Dear Municipal plan member,
Wondering how being a member of the plan, returning from parental leave, getting a separation or divorce, changing jobs, or choosing a pension option could affect your future pension? Are you nearing retirement and curious how planning now can make your transition to retirement easier? Find answers to your pension questions with free pension education!
New and potential members
- Getting to Know Your Pension is 15 minutes of online learning that will introduce you to the value and benefits of plan membership
Members establishing their career or several years away from retirement
- Making the Most of Your Pension can help you maximize your pension by understanding how the decisions you make throughout your career affect your pension when you retire
- Take 45 minutes of online learning or attend the two-hour workshop
Members planning for or within five years of retirement
- Approaching Retirement is a two–hour workshop designed to help you understand the important decisions you need to make about your pension
Workshops fill up quickly so register early to make sure you can attend the date of your choice. If a workshop is full, you can be placed on a waitlist or you may take a workshop at an alternative location.
For more information, and to take online learning or register for a workshop, visit mpp.pensionsbc.ca.
If you have taken online learning or attended a workshop, please encourage your colleagues to take pension education so they can benefit from learning more about their pension.
Whether you take online learning or attend a workshop, you’ll get the information you need to prepare for your future pension.
mpp.pensionsbc.ca Email: mppeducation@pensionsbc.ca
Toll-free (Canada/U.S.): 1-877-558-557
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Helps You with Personal and Professional Concerns – Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
If you are currently enrolled in our employee group benefits, you are eligible to receive support from the EAP.
Information on our new EAP is available at: https://www.workhealthlife.com/sunlife
or by phone at 1-855-544-7722
What can you get help with?
- Parenting and Child Care
- Education
- Older Adults
- Midlife & Retirement
- Financial and Legal Issues
- Work Issues
- Health & Wellness
- Emotional Well-Being
For more information and to access the program, please contact Human Resources at personnel@spectrumsociety.org
