Template Letters

Meeting on employment changes

[HR Director/other contact],

I’d appreciate an opportunity to speak with you as soon as possible on plans the university is considering to protect workers and their incomes.

I am sure [EMPLOYER NAME] is not intending on leaving its dedicated staff to fend for themselves in this situation. However, It is important that the union and employer have a common understanding of what these plans are so we may communicate them clearly to employees.

We are also concerned about the nature of unilateral changes and unassessed impacts on our members.

Other organizations have announced commitments to their employees. These range from retailers like Best Buy (even though they will be scaling back store hours, they will continue to pay their employees for their regular shifts) to sports organizations like the Montreal Canadiens (they will top up EI to 95% for anyone laid off, and have established other funding for those who don’t qualify for EI).

The union is working with EI to ask for changes to regulation and working on implementation options for employers and supports for employees over the medium to long term.

Please let me know when you might be available.

Regards,

Email to university members

Dear member,

As [EMPLOYER] moves its operations online, we want you to know that your union is advocating with management to protect your rights.

Our focus right now is on stronger health and safety measures, and protection for your income. Although [EMPLOYER] has rejected our request for a commitment to continuing wages for all workers, regardless of whether they can work at home or not, we continue to look for ways to protect your income.

These include for those who are sick, may be required to self-isolate, and/or self-quarantine.

We will keep you updated on our progress.

It is very important to let us know if you observe or encounter unsafe situations in the workplace.

We remind you that if you are asked to do something that you think is an immediate danger to your health and safety, you have the right to refuse – you just have to tell your supervisor that you are refusing it as unsafe work.

You should contact your union representative as soon as possible if this happens. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach a union representative at:

[CONTACT INFO email/phone/web page etc]

In solidarity,