The information listed below indicates OSSTF positions on H1N1 for more extensive discussions to be conducted during the October 9, 2009 TTAC/SWAG meeting. (TTAC and SWAG are the Provincial Discussion Groups that include all education unions, the Ministry of Education, and OPSBA) The content below is abridged. The provincial office has indicated it will soon have information up on its website. These positions HAVE NOT been agreed to by our employer or the Ministry. We are hopeful, after further discussion, the Ministry will agree to some, if not all, of the following.
1) Medically Fragile Workers (e.g. Immuno-depressed, Expectant Mothers)
OSSTF/FEESO wants to be on the record that we disagree with the “no greater risk” position of the employers and insist that pregnant women and other medically fragile employees are accommodated to maximize their safety.
2) Reducing Exposure to Ill Staff and Students
Employers must take all necessary precautions to minimize the exposure to ill staff and students. OSSTF/FEESO is also concerned that established attendance management policy adopted by some employers will unduly pressure employees to go to work even if they have symptoms. OSSTF/FEESO believes it is reasonable, for tracking purposes, during the pandemic, to request that employees identify if "flu-like symptoms" are responsible for the absence. OSSTF/FEESO expects full disclosure of incidence levels at each workplace and within the system.
3) Hand Washing/Hand Sanitizers/Tissues
OSSTF/FEESO expects that prevention protocols are already in place and that each employer has met with union leaders to ensure that the prevention protocols are active and ready in each workplace. OSSTF/FEESO is also concerned that these protocols may rely heavily on staff in the system, increasing their supervision, reporting, cleaning etc work on top of their already full workload.
4) Special H1N1 Funding
The government must provide support funding for safety equipment, additional cleaning, appropriate additional cleaning supplies and temporary/replacement workers. If the outbreak materializes, the government and employer’s position that business will continue “as usual” will require replacement staff be available in all job categories.
5) School/Worksite Closure
OSSTF/FEESO demands that school closure information and thresholds are consistent and fully transparent. Criteria must be established to determine the viability of a worksite on any given day. It should never be up to the tolerance level of the staff that keeps a workplace open in high absentee conditions. Decisions to close schools/worksites will be discussed in collaboration with the local public health unit, the school board and union representatives.
6) School Year
There will be no extension to the school year due to closures of schools as a result of H1N1.
7) Education Sector Committee
The Ministries of Health and Education must commit that information dealing with the handling of H1N1 be made available to all key stakeholders and that the government will provide regular updates to the education sector. In addition, a K-12 Education Sector Committee must be established consisting of education sector unions, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labour representatives to provide advice to the field and to the Ministries on H1N1.
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