OPSEU LOCAL 331: REPRESENTING THE INTEREST'S OF OVER 900 MEMBERS
|
OPSEU LOCAL 331: REPRESENTING THE INTEREST'S OF OVER 900 MEMBERS |
|
|
January 2009 Volume 1, Issue
UNITED TIMES LOCAL 331 Website: opseu331.org Email: opseu331@opseu331.org Phone: (905) 668-5881 ext. 6478 or 6351
LOCAL 331 Launches Newsletter
OPSEU Local 331 is pleased to present the 1st Edition of the newest form of communication to our members, the “United Times”. We have been actively creating our connection to the membership to strengthen our ties at your request. You will find important topics, FAQ, Health and Safety Information and Announcements in this newsletter which will be published on a bi-monthly basis. We would like to thank everyone for their participation and creative ideas in naming our newsletter and we would like to congratulate Deb Cowie whose submission “United Times” was voted as the winning title. Honourable mentions go to The Snitch (Susan Terry), OPSEU Express (Helen Noble), The Messenger (Nancy Clarke) and Worker’s United (Larry Sheenan) for their entries. A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT…Karen Preston
I hope everyone had a Safe and Happy Holiday Season. Happy New Year!
Your Local Executive Team has been very busy working towards improving communication to our membership. We are proud to present, “UNITED TIMES”. In addition we look forward to the debut of Local 331’s new and improved, website. Coming Soon To A Monitor Near You… (opseu331.org).
Our Local has had an outstanding response from our members, with an interest to become Union Activists in a variety of ways; Stewardship, involvement in Local Union Committees, Centre Committees, task forces and yes reporters. Our membership as a whole has our finger on the pulse of Whitby Mental Health Centre.
We have an exciting, busy year ahead. Our Collective Agreement expires, March 31/09. Your Bargaining Team is already busy and invested in strengthening our collective future. Be Safe, Be Strong and Be United!
Page 2 UNITED TIMES
VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE
Late last year as many of you will recall the Ministry of Labour were called into investigate an incident and laid charges against CAMH after many employees had been injured on numerous occasions due to violence in the workplace. The MOL found that CAMH had been negligent in taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. CAMH faces up to $500, 000 per offence if convicted. There were nine charges laid in total and CAMH was expected in court on Dec. 4, 2008. We too, at Whitby Mental Health Centre shudder to recall the numerous violent attacks throughout the year; many very serious, many devastating. On October 24, 2008, the Ministry of Labour was called in to investigate a Work Refusal over safety issues on the PRA Unit. Through an investigation, orders were issued for WMHC to improve the level of safety for employees working at the Centre after the Employer was also found not to be taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. WMHC was to provide the MOL with a policy which addresses Violence in the Workplace, a Code White Policy, documents pertaining to SMG Training of all employees, Health and Safety Committee Minutes for the previous six months, Injury Stats, a Comprehensive Risk Assessment and Compliance Plan for the PRA Unit and the rest of the units to follow. Inspections by the MOL will continue on an ongoing basis until full compliance has been achieved.
WMHC has hired Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare (OSACH) who will assess our workplace and develop a Workplace Violence Prevention Program. An introduction to the program took place at the JOHSC meeting on December 11, 2008. A Violence Prevention Steering Committee has been established to work with OSACH in the New Year.
Our workplace is ranked among the highest for the risk of violence related injuries by the Ministry of Labour. OPSEU recognizes that there is a major hazard for violence in the workplace for 30,000 health care workers across Ontario and has committed to promote prevention of Violence in the Workplace for its members. On November 20, 2008 seven of our members attended the Workshop, “Working Together TO PREVENT WORKPLACE VIOLENCE” at the Holiday Inn. Carol Bosgraaf, Roy Jones, Alma Siciliano, Yvonne Lewis, Lenora Neil, Kim Rushnell and Patti Lang attended along with other members from Region 3 to acquire the knowledge to play a key role in violence prevention at the workplace.
UNITED TIMES Page 3
If you experience any kind of workplace violence contact your manager, and inform your health and safety rep and your steward…. Health & Safety Worker Representatives Patti Lang ~ Certified Member, Co-Chair JOHSC @ ext. 6211 or pager: (905) 720-8508 Alma Siciliano ~ Certified Member JOHSC @ ext. 6214 Yvonne Lewis ~ Worker Member @ ext. 6351 Jonathan Leung ~ Worker Member @ ext. 6730 Nick Rendell ~ Worker Member @ ext. 6223 Art Hawkrigg ~ Worker Member @ ext. 6375 Cathy Head ~ Worker Member @ (905) 665-4026 Roy Jones ~ Worker Member @ ext. 6040 Lenora Neil ~ Worker Member @ ext. 6689 Veronica Mayer ~ Worker Member @ ext. 6211
Page 4 UNITED TIMES
LET THE TALKS BEGIN
Well it’s a New Year and with that brings the end to a current contract as of March 31/09 which we will continue to uphold until we have a new contract negotiated.
During the month of November Bargaining Surveys were distributed to the members and returned to the Union Office.The demands have been compiled from the responses and all of the suggestions were noted and brought forward to the team. Your Bargaining Team was nominated and chosen by the members on November 24, 2008 at the CAW Hall.
UNITED TIMES Page 5
Back Row (L – R) Staff Rep. Sherry Weese, Karen Preston, Staff Rep. Ann Ledwedge, Jonathan Leung Front Row (L-R) Kim Rushnell, Yvonne Lewis, Dawn Adams, Brian Bangay, Jane Bertrand
Paramedical Including RPN – Yvonne Lewis, Brian Bangay and Kim Rushnell Registered Nurses – Jonathan Leung and Dawn Adams Clerical, Service and Maintenance – Karen Preston and Jane Bertrand Members of Local 331 wishes to thank our Bargaining Team for their dedication and commitment they are about to devote to achieve a fair and equitable contract to give our members a Better Future, a Safer Future…a Future of Quality!
Page 6 UNITED TIMES LOCAL 331 SAYS GOODBYE TO STAFF REP Michael Culkeen has been the Staff Rep for our Local for the past two years. He has dedicated his knowledge and support to our members over these years and he has been a leader in challenging WMHC against issues that have been a burden to a healthy and respectful work environment for our members.
We thank you Mike for your dedication and determination. You have inspired us to be strong leaders and have shown us what persistence and determination can achieve through solidarity. Best wishes to you in your new position with OPSEU! At this time we would like to welcome Sherry Weese who has taken Mike’s place as of January 5, 2009. We look forward to working with you. Ann Ledwedge has dedicated her time to us during the transition period at the Regional Office and we would like to thank Ann for her dedication and support through very trying times at our facility. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed and we greatly appreciate everything you have done. Thanks Ann!
UNITED TIMES Page 7
Christmas Party a Huge Success!
Even a snowstorm could not keep 180 of our members from packing Melanie Pringles on December 6th, 2008. The doors closed to the public while taste buds celebrated with delicious appetizers, a scrumptious buffet dinner and heavenly desserts followed by a night of dancing and partying until closing and yes we closed the place!
Guests cheer on dance competitors Our DJ, Eric Edwards managed to crowd the dance floor with some great tunes that led to some inspiring moves throughout the night. Disco may be out but we sure didn’t forget those dance moves from the seventies proved by our Dancing Queen’s Christine Ledger and Michelle Williams who won the disco dance competition with an extraordinary flashback from an earlier era.
And who knew they could go that low during a Limbo Competition later that night? Our successful dancers, Debbie McParlane and Antonio Stravata amazingly took their places as the “Limbo Leaders”.
“Kudos to everyone who participated!” Chiropractors in the area are thanking us for your business.
More pictures on page 8 and 9
Page 8 UNITED TIMES
One of our largest turnouts to date …Local 331 Members and guests enjoyed a great night out and look forward to future celebrations! Page 8 UNITED TIMES
One of our largest turnouts to date …Local 331 Members and guests enjoyed a great night out and look forward to future celebrations!
Page 10 UNITED TIMES
ALERT – CODE OF CONDUCT The Employer is handing out a Code of Conduct Policy Admin Manual 5.33 13 page double-sided document Page 13 contains Appendix A requesting Employees to sign, date and witness signature. The Union has communicated to the Employer that this violates the Collective Agreement. Staff’s signature as explained on this document indicates that the signing of the document is a staff member’s agreement to terms and conditions of employment and not merely an acknowledgement that the policy has been read by the employee. This constitutes bargaining outside of the Collective Bargaining process. The Bargaining Agent OPSEU Local 331 represents the membership at WMHC and thereby is the signing authority to any such documents. The Employer has agreed to discuss these concerns with the Union. The Union is hopeful that we can jointly resolve this matter. Until further notice, the OPSEU Local 331 are advising our members not to sign Appendix A in document mentioned above.
Curry Maple Chicken
1 medium onion 1 red pepper 1 cup whipping cream or 18% table cream 2 cloves garlic 2 tbsp mild curry paste (add more if desired) 3 chicken breasts, cut into chunks ¼ cup maple syrup Basmati Rice
- Sauté onions, red pepper and garlic until onions are translucent - Cook chicken in olive oil until cooked - Add chicken to onion mixture - Mix together cream and curry paste and stir into mixture - Add maple syrup, simmer until desired consistency (add 1tbsp cornstarch if necessary - Poor over cooked basmati rice and enjoy!
Page 12 UNITED TIMES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… Q. My attendance is in good standing yet my manager recently asked me to provide a Dr.’s note for being off 2 days. Is this reasonable? A. If your attendance is in good standing and your manager has had no previous discussions with you regarding attendance issues or the necessity for a doctor’s note, this would be an unreasonable request. You may call the union office for assistance.
Q. I am a part-time employee who is finding it frustrating getting my schedule at least four weeks in advance. What can I do? A. Talk to your manager and find out why your schedule is not posted as per the Collective Agreement, Article 37.06, which applies to both fulltime and part-time employees. If the situation continues you may file a grievance with your Steward.
Newsletter is available online. Please visit us at: opseu331.org
Patti Lang ext. 6351 or Alma Siciliano ext. 6214 Or email us: patti@opseu331.org or alma@opseu331.org
|
