Dear Members,
I recognize the difficulty as we all adjust to the changes, anxiety and challenges of the past weeks, and going forward, that this health crisis presents.
The RCEA is open via phone or email. For the safety of staff, we closed the RCEA office on Monday March 16. Since then we have been working non-stop from our homes on your behalf.
Joan and I have been working closely with Iain Stewart, NRC President, Dale McMillan, Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer, Emily Harrison, Vice-President, Human Resources, PIPSC representatives, and many others to help transition NRC to tele-work. Some NRC employees are deemed critical for NRC safety or critical infrastructure and are therefore required to be in the workplace. The RCEA, PIPSC and NRC management are working together to make certain those members are safe and secure while at work. If any member is unsure, or feels unsafe, please contact me immediately.
I have been on daily conference calls with Treasury Board Secretariat, National Joint Council and the other federal unions to ensure members are safe. Some of our discussions include working remotely including tele-work, COVID-19 daily Government of Canada updates, safe working conditions if required to be in the workplace, employee safety and health, health care including SunLife changes and provisions, pay, anxiety and mental health, travel advice and what is essential versus critical government services.
Notices and updates may be found on the RCEA website under Latest News and from the TBS Chief Human Resources Officer here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/covid-19.html#toc3
Many people are struggling with their mental health during this difficult time. If you are overwhelmed, under significant stress, or having any mental health difficulties, resources are available for RCEA members:
To obtain these services
Call EAS at 1-800-268-7708 – a toll-free, bilingual line operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
EAS services for the hearing impaired are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1-800-567-5803.
More information can be found on the RCEA webpage.
https://rcea.ca/2018/11/15/employee-assistance-program-eap/
Please do not hesitate to contact the office office@rcea.ca
or me directly at cathie@rcea.ca or 613-304-1636.
I am available at any time.
Sincerely,
