Coronavirus Updates from NCSRCC
Members,
Based upon our continuous review of information from different establishments like the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the White House Coronavirus Task Force, along with advice from DeAnn Richards (RN, BSN, CIC, CPHQ, CPPS – Infection Preventionist) on advisory measures, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) will be issuing policies and procedures that will impact operations in an effort to limit the spread of germs and keep workplaces, members and staff safe.
Most large, in-person meetings for the next 30 days within and outside any of the NCSRCC building will be suspended. The suspension of these meetings will help protect our staff, members and partners as well as avoid further strain on our health care systems.
Meetings such as local meetings, pin parties, retiree meetings, new member orientations, lunch and learns and fund meetings may still take place. However, many of these meetings may also be postponed. Open houses will not take place at this time. Furthermore, both the Wisconsin and Minnesota legislative conferences are cancelled.
There will be no food or catering brought inside our facilities or food prepared within the Regional Council buildings for meetings over the next 30 days. A person attending a meeting may be allowed to bring in their own beverage, but there will not be any distributed drinks inside of NCSRCC buildings. In addition, drinking fountains will not be available for your use.
Furthermore, we will be taking several additional measures to protect members. Policies and information will be posted on the front doors of our buildings for visitors before entering. We will also continue to meet and review any additional actions that are needed. We are working with employers on work-site sanitation procedures.
Members who have their job sites closed as a result of the COVID-19 are eligible for unemployment insurance. If an employee is out of work for an extended period due to COVID-19, he/she may be eligible for short-term disability under our health plan. Employees are encouraged to contact their health plan for additional information regarding their coverages. I would also request that members pay dues on-line here:https://northcountrycarpenter.org/pay-dues/ or by calling their local union.
The Regional Council has been a leader in advancing the Infections Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) protocols and will rely on ICRA protocols as a guide in ensuring that job sites, training centers, and union offices are safe places. Our trained members can perform construction safely in occupied health care facilities with especially vulnerable patients, and we can perform construction safely on all sites through the COVID-19 pandemic.
I will pass along any additional information as updates occur. If you have any questions about the COVID-19 or NCSRCC’s preparedness, you can emailinfo@ncsrcc.org. Together we can make choices that improve the safety of us all.
Sincerely,
John Raines
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters