COVID-19

March 12, 2020

Local 721 is concerned about the health of our members, their families and the broader community in which we all live and work.

As a result, we urge our members to take reasonable precautions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.  Symptoms of COVID-19 may include things such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing and its symptoms may resemble a cold or the flu.

There are many sources of public health information on COVID-19.  We urge you to listen to the advice of public health experts and to follow their directions.  As the public health response to this issue may change rapidly, we recommend getting your advice from sources such as the public health website for Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Health website.

If you are concerned that you may have COVID-19 or to have been exposed to it please contact your primary care provider, local public health unit or Telehealth (1-866-797-000).

If you receive direction from your doctor or public health, please comply with it, including any directions to self-isolate/not attend work.  If this happens, please inform your employer.

We encourage members in these circumstances to take reasonable precautions to avoid attending work and spreading illness. If you are sick or if you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19 then please inform your employer.   If you request sick leave and your employer will not agree to it then please contact Local 721.

It is also possible that your employer may be concerned that you are exhibiting symptoms and ask you to not work even if you feel you are well enough to work.  If you receive such a direction please comply with it.  If you think the direction was unfair or wrong then please contact Local 721.

In the short-term we ask that members communicate on Local Union issues as much as possible without physical attendance at Local 721’s offices.  We are reachable by phone and email and will update our website  www.iw721.org as further information becomes available and we ask that you check for updates from us.

Fraternally yours,

Luiz Barros, President

Fred MacPherson, Business Manager/F.S.T

To download the letter and poster, click here.