Federal Government Extends COVID-19 Related Leaves

As a way of streamlining the extension of the number of weeks for eligibility for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the federal government announced it would also extend COVID-19 related leaves. Eligibility for CERB was extended from 16 to 24 weeks, which is now mirrored in COVID-19 related leaves in federally regulated workplaces. The goal of CERB was to stabilize the economy and provide an income for workers who were impacted by the pandemic, while the leaves ensure workers have access to job-protected leaves.

CERB is scheduled to expire on Oct.3,2020, and COVID-19 related leaves expire on Oct.1, 2020 when the legislation is expected to be repealed.

COVID19 related leaves were designed to help workers who were;

• quarantined or asked to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19;
• required to provide care to a family member as a result of COVID-19; or
• otherwise unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19.

Lowering the Temperature at Canadian Airports

On Friday June 12, 2020 the Canadian Government announced it will require temperature screenings for all passengers flying in and out of Canada and for all employees working at Canadian Airports. The rollout of the temperature checks and the relevant airports will be a phased approach and will be as follows:

Phases

• Phase 1: By June 30, 2020, all air operators will be required to conduct temperature screenings of all passengers travelling to Canada prior to departure from international or transborder points of departure.
• Phase 2: By the end of July, temperature screening stations will be placed in the departure section of the four major airports that are currently identified as the only Canadian airports for international travel (Montréal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver).
• Phase 3: By September 2020, temperature screening stations will be in place in the departure sections of the next 11 busiest airports in Canada (St. John’s, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Toronto – Billy Bishop, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Kelowna, Victoria).

Included in Friday’s announcement was the type of equipment to be used and the regulating body in which will be overseeing the purchase of the equipment. The Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority will be responsible for the purchase of the equipment and which types of equipment are to be used taking in the operational realities of the different airports across the country.

Some of the types of equipment that can be used are traditional thermometers, digital thermometers and sophisticated thermal cameras capable of screening large numbers of travellers at a time.

“The IAM supports the move to improved temperature screening protocols, which will keep IAM members, all other airport workers, and the travelling public safe from infection from COVID. As airport travel begins to recover and rebound, it is of primary importance to keep us all safe in Canada’s airports.” stated Stan Pickthall, IAMAW Canadian General Vice-President.

This new safety protocol is an addition to the previous announced measures which include temporary changes to maintain physical distancing on aircraft and face coverings for passengers and airport workers.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace is Canada’s largest Union representing Aviation, airlines and airports, and aerospace workers. The Union represents 20,000 in air transportation across Canada.

– 30 –

For more information:
Keith Aiken, IAM Canadian Air Transportation Coordinator
kaiken@iamaw.org