At the ASU we want to provide you with information to help you navigate the changes that will happen at work and outside work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This information includes
- Most recent restrictions in Victoria (announced 7/7/20)
- Easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Tasmania
- Getting the most up to date information on COVID-19
- Resources from the ACTU on COVID-19
- ASU Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the workplace fact sheet
- General advice from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers about workers rights and employer obligations
- Whether employers can stand-down workers
- Job Seeker payments during COVID-19
EASING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN TASMANIA
The Tasmanian Government have eased Covid-19 restrictions.
The eased restrictions in Tasmania can be viewed here.
GETTING THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION
The best thing all of us can do to reduce the risk to ourselves and our families of COVID-19 is to follow expert health and medical advice.
Up to date information about COVID-19, including what you can do to reduce the risk of COVID-19, and what you should do if you think you have contracted COVID-19 is available at https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
RESOURCES FROM THE ACTU ON COVID-19
The ACTU has extensive COVID-19 Resource that brings together up to date information including OHS Alerts, employer guidance, medical alerts resources, and a workplace checklist. You can also sign up for regular COVID-19 updates from Australia’s peak union body here.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AND THE WORKPLACE
There are important things that can be done to reduce our risk of COVID-19 in the workplace. During this time of uncertainty where things are changing very quickly, the ASU here to support you in your workplace.
You can download the ASU’s fact sheet on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the workplace here.
GENERAL ADVICE FROM MAURICE BLACKBURN LAWYERS
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers have provided general advice for ASU members on their rights and their employer’s obligations. This includes advice on workers’ rights when quarantined, workers rights after a coronavirus diagnosis, casual workers’ rights, and employer’s obligations.
You can download general advice from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers here.
CAN MY EMPLOYER STAND ME DOWN
Some members have contacted the ASU about their rights in the event an employer seeks to implement a stand down. Further information about stand-downs is available here.
INFORMATION ON ACCESSING JOB SEEKER PAYMENTS DURING COVID-19
On the 22 March the Federal Government announced that there will be additional income support available for workers who lose their job, are stood down, on low incomes or are in casual and contract employment and meet the income test as a result of the economic downturn due to the Coronavirus. Centrelink has details of income support for those affected by COVID-19.
WE WILL KEEP SUPPORTING MEMBERS
The ASU is here to support you in your workplace. We will keep providing industrial advice and support to members. But the way we deliver these important services may change.
When arranging meetings, organisers may ask additional questions about how members want the meeting to proceed, and if there are options available that don’t involve face to face contact.
If there is a mass meeting planned for at your workplace, your organiser will be in touch with delegates to talk about whether members want the meeting to proceed.
Our Member Contact Centre cannot provide health advice, but the Industrial Support Officers in the contact centre can provide advice and assistance about your workplace entitlements.
If you have any difficulty accessing your entitlements please contact:
ASU Member Contact Centre | 1300 855 570 | info@asuvictas.com.au
ASU Facebook
ASU community sector and local government members met yesterday about the North Melb/Flemington public housing hard lockdown. Concerns raised included the very heavy police presence and impact on residents, vs a health and social service response, and lack of communication with the ASU about the rushed plan. PPE, cleaning protocols and OHS concerns for workers and residents at the impacted estates, and across all high-density public housing were discussed. Meeting motion below has all the details.
Next members’ meeting - 1:00 pm Thursday 9 July
Register here, for link to the meeting: bit.ly/2BCvadQ
More info: www.asuvictas.com.au/public-housing-lockdown-update/
Members involved in the response, please get in touch with any queries about OHS or your rights. Solidarity with all the residents!
Great work ASU members!
Please consider a list of vital numbers including Lifeline Kids Helpline Family Violence Hotline Drug and Alcohol support. Online options also. With all the concerns for mental health it is urgent that residents have easy access. People may feel so isolated and alone they feel there is no one they can talk to. Hence dome cards or a list would be so helpful. Can these be delivered to every unit in the 9 towers in with bags of food.
#ASUProud
I love this. I'm not working in the sector currently but was a previous member for years. I can't express how relieved i am by this statement..... I live close to the Flemington estate and also lived around the area as a kid. It's been really distressing to see VTHC refusing to speak out on the barbarity of how this is being managed, and acting like charity is the only role for them. Thank you soooo much to all the workers and ASU organisers who put this together 💕💕💕💕
A very fair and understandable list of demands! Great work ASU members!
It's a poorly executed lock up. When all this is over the government needs to demolish those towers and build nicer accomodation.
Philip
#ASUproud
Rachel, this worth noting
I love this
✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼
Jasmine Ali Olivia Nigro Lucy Honan
I don’t feel it’s a problem, police are there in a peaceful capacity.
Good to see ASU onto this. Thanks x
#ASUProud
Thx for sharing
📣📣Urgent Meeting: ASU community sector members to raise concerns about the hard lockdown of public housing in Flemington & North Melbourne. Local Gov members working in this area please join and share! 📣📣
10:30 Monday 6 July
Register at link below, meeting link will be forwarded: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvdOivrj4oGdGHM5Z9vlRpw6zsXbTCqdaS
There will be many residents urgently requiring community services during the lockdown period and ASU community sector workers will provide many of these services. It’s vital that you are able to do your work as safely as possible and free from risk in a potentially volatile situation.
The ASU wants to hear from you on any concerns held and that safety measures are in place!
More info at: www.asuvictas.com.au/urgent-covid-19-public-housing-lockdown-members-meeting/
We know many ASU members will be concerned to hear that 9 public housing towers in Flemington and Kensington have been placed in hard lockdown as part of the COVID response. This time will be beyond challenging for residents, there are vulnerabilities and needs amongst residents that will be challenging to meet.
VTHC is coordinating donations for those that are able to show some practical support.
supportpublichousingresidents.raisely.com/
Urgent: For our members that may be urgently deployed to provide support to public housing residents here’s some important info on PPE, your rights working during COVID and more.
www.asuvictas.com.au/covid-19/community-sector/
If you need advice about urgent deployment over the weekend please send us a DM here and we’ll provide support to our members.
Stay safe comrades 🙏
The more the media and politicians say we are in this together, the more the evidence shows that we are not. Under capitalism there are huge inequalities in our societies. Its workers, their families and communities that are faring the worst. Public health measures that don’t take into account of this, just reinforce these inequalitie. Whether here in Australia or globally..... This is why unions are important to try and redress these imbalances.