The threat level for Covid-19 will increase to level 3 and 4 in 48 hrs. This will have an impact on those with children home from school. If you haven't already had discussions at home around this, now would be a great time. Please keep communication lines open with your managers if this will affect your ability to work.

This will also be a good reminder to have discussion within crews about the risk we face in our response to any incident. Some of you that have families at home that are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses, or are otherwise more at risk than the general public. It may be time to consider your riding position on the truck each day, or at least whether there is someone less vulnerable to be the main point of contact between the crew and the public. Let’s be smart, look after each other’s and our families’ welfare and take steps to be as safe as we can. Like with the childcare, keep communication lines open with your managers if this will affect your ability to work.

While we are having to make snap decisions in an ever changing environment, we are attempting to keep our roster as stable as we can and we will carry on with our relievers covering annual leave. Like everything else, this will be revisited where and when needed.  Training courses are being cancelled and seconded staff may be filtering back to the district. As they return we may even end up being overstaffed for a short time.

Thanks for your flexibility and patience while we try to navigate through these dynamic times, we have your best interests at heart and are looking forward to being back to boring old day to day routine as soon as we can.

Keep safe and keep washing your hands.

Mike Swanson
Tauranga Local Secretary