April 28, 2020 - PSEC Secretariat Provides Guiding Principles for Public Sector Employers

In follow-up to PSEC Secretariat’s direction to public sector employers in March that employment continuity be maintained until the end of April, it provided updated staffing and service delivery principles post April 30. In a letter addressed to employers’ associations CEOs, PSEC Secretariat provided guiding principles that employers should consider post-April when making decisions on business continuity; specifically, that they should do so in consultation with funders, in compliance with Provincial Health Officer and WorkSafeBC guidance, and in collaboration with unions. This follows the Ministry of Children & Family Development and the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction’s recent statements that contracted service providers are able to receive incremental funding to cover increased costs due to staff shortages, increased overtime, etc. for an extended period of time, from April 30, 2020 to May 31, 2020. 

Union Activity

CSSEA continues to meet regularly with the union bargaining association as we look for solutions in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis. Recently, we have been in contact with the BCGEU following its issuing of letters directly to employers requesting that it be notified if an employee, client or visitor tests positive for contracting COVID-19. CSSEA has responded to affirm employers’ paramount commitment to the health and safety of employees and that employers will continue to follow the guidance for reporting from public health. Employers can read a copy of CSSEA’s response here. We ask employers with questions related to union requests to contact their HRLR Consultant or Advocate to enable CSSEA to determine if a coordinated response on behalf of the sector is required.

Update on Survivor Benefits Option

Since the release of our latest CEO Update on April 23, 2020 CSSEA is pleased to confirm that, in addition to Federation Plan and CSBT, Health Benefit Trust (HBT) is also able to provide survivor benefits for extended health and dental for the duration of the COVID-19 provincial health emergency. Employers who are interested in providing the additional coverage for their staff can contact their benefit provider directly.