Last week’s flooding and mudslides continue to impact CUPE members, our workplaces and our communities. As part of the province’s emergency response, a state-of-emergency has been declared that includes restrictions on travel and fuel. Non-essential travel along severely damaged highways is restricted. There is also a 30-litre limit to retail fuel purchases in southwestern B.C. More information on the state-of-emergency and provincial restriction orders is available on the BC government website.
The 30-litre purchase limit per visit applies to all essential and non-essential workers in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver to Hope), Sea to Sky (Squamish to Pemberton), Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island.
The Ministry of Education is prioritizing keeping students and staff safe and maintaining in-class instruction. Given restrictions on travel and fuel purchases, however, the Ministry is encouraging school districts to have workers who can work from home during the state-of-emergency. Districts are also encouraged to defer all meetings and events that can’t be held virtually. School districts directly impacted by non-essential travel restrictions and road closures are working to find alternate transport options to reduce traffic, such as inter-region shuttle busses.
School district vehicles, such as buses, are exempt from the 30-litre limit. Branded vehicles that need to purchase retail fuel will be able to do so. Unbranded school district vehicles will require a letter of certification to purchase retail fuel beyond the 30-litre limit (these letters will be issued by school districts shortly).
All workers that continue to work in schools and other K-12 system workplaces in southwest B.C. are encouraged to carpool, use public transportation or other alternate transport options whenever possible.
The Ministry of Education has prepared a Q&A on the impact of the fuel and travel restrictions on the K-12 system, and online at bcschools.cupe.ca.
CUPE BC Disaster Relief Fund
CUPE BC has established a Disaster Relief Fund to support CUPE members impacted by the recent catastrophic floods and mudslides.
Any CUPE members in B.C. experiencing hardship due to recent floods are invited to apply for CUPE BC funding support through their Local.
All CUPE Locals and District Councils in B.C. are encouraged to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund if they are able.
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