Discussions continued over the weekend, and there were some developments today everyone should be made aware of.

First to address some rumours. We are unaware of any members who have contracted COVID-19. There are three members in Newmarket who have been advised by York Regional Public Health to isolate for 14 days due to the risk of infection from possible contact with an infected person. The other members in Newmarket have been advised to self-monitor for symptoms and report anything that develops to YRPH.

Today in Downsview, the staff were informed of a possible contact through Toronto Public Health. The office was closed for the remainder of the day to allow for the entire office to be disinfected, and all members were advised to self-monitor for symptoms. TPH determined the risk of infection was low, as the person apparently was unable to get service due to not having the proper documents.

Over the weekend, we were in discussions with Serco, who in turn were in discussions with the MTO. The MTO continues to mandate the DriveTest centres to remain open. As this was the position going into Monday morning, and Serco had yet to enact any precautions as demanded by the Union, some members decided to refuse work they determined to be unsafe. This resulted in partial or full Work Stoppages in Newmarket, Orangeville, Etobicoke, London, and Barrie. The members in those offices were requested to provide detailed reasons for the refusal and concerns for their safety to the Ministry of Labour Inspector handling their cases. Later on in the day, members in those offices were provided a memo from the company, but have not spoken with, nor seen a signed report from an MOL Inspector. It is assumed at this point the MOL has consolidated all the Work Stoppages since they are for the same employer and for the same reasons. We will continue to get more details this evening, and early tomorrow morning.

Prior to 8:30AM this morning, the company was going ahead with various protocols requested by us, despite an absence of any stance on them from the MTO. They were not prepared to roll them out immediately, and needed to inform the various levels of management and the supervisors to get them out. Examiners now have the discretion to have tests rescheduled due to health or travel concerns, and are aided by additional screening questions, but it is not reliant on them - DEs can send applicants inside to reschedule if the applicant is showing signs of sickness (similar to suspicion of intoxication). There should be signage installed advising all applicants to come back another day if they have traveled in the past 14 days, and/or if they are experiencing any symptoms. CSAs also have the discretion to refuse service to a visibly sick applicant, or if the applicant discloses any information about health or recent travel. The number of people permitted in the offices should be monitored by the supervisors to address crowding, and any individuals without direct business (ie DI bringing an applicant for road test, family member accompanying a written test applicant, etc) are to be denied entry to the building. We have been informed their will be a Briefing Note provided detailing all the items being implemented, however, we have not seen copy yet.

Aside from these protocols, any members requiring time off due to school/childcare closings should be communicating this to your supervisor, more out of courtesy so they know if you will or will not be in. Serco continues to pressure the MTO to shutdown operations, which would allow people to apply for EI benefits.

Any members who have been out of the country are required by the federal government to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of return, and advise public health if you develop any symptoms. You should not be out and about, and you should not be reporting to work. This is irresponsible to your fellow coworkers.

There are legal frameworks that the company and the union have to work within. Employees cannot be collaborating to choose not to work, as this could be classified as an illegal strike. Employees can refuse work they deem to be unsafe, and other workers need to be made aware of the refusal and the reasons for it. From there, the employer and employee(s) should work to resolve the matter. If it cannot be resolved, the Ministry of Labour is contacted, and an inspector would come and determine the safety of the work. The decision of the Inspector is binding on both parties.

The company also has a legal obligation to provide the services on behalf of the MTO. At this time, the MTO has not provided them a reprieve from those obligations. The Union continues to insist and continues to pressure senior management to ensure the safety of our members. In doing so, Serco continues to advocate for the suspension of service to eliminate any level of risk, no matter how small the MTO determines it to be.