Urgent: Department of Health and Wellness Seeks CCA, LPN & RN Volunteers for Northwood Manor!

Good morning,

I am reaching out today at the request of the Department of Health and Wellness. The Department is urgently seeking volunteers to assist with the crisis unfolding at Northwood Manor in Halifax.

As I am sure you are aware, this long-term care facility is currently dealing with a significant outbreak of COVID-19. The Department is trying to manage the outbreak, but many staff at the facility have contracted the virus, and as a result, the facility is extremely short-staffed.

Government has asked the NSGEU, NSNU, CUPE and Unifor to send a message to our trained professional CCAs, LPNs and RNs asking them to volunteer to temporarily work at the facility to help care for residents.

As always, your safety is our top priority. As such, the unions have received assurance from the Department that all workers at this facility will have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which would include gowns, gloves, masks. Face shields and N95 masks will be made available, as well, where the employer & Department deems appropriate.

All staff working with presumed or confirmed COVID-19 residents will be provided with full personal protective equipment as per appropriate precautions.

All recruited staff will remain employed by their current Employer(s) and maintain the same rates of pay and benefits, respecting all compensation provisions of the Good Neighbour Protocol.

For those members who do want to volunteer, please contact your manager immediately. If you have any questions please call the NSGEU at 902-424-4063 (toll-free 1-877-556-7438) on Monday morning or email inquiry@nsgeu.ca.

If you volunteer and encounter any issues regarding safety, call the union. Your union has your back, and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure our members are provided with any and all equipment necessary to do this work safely, and contain this outbreak.

In solidarity,

Jason MacLean
President, NSGEU