UPDATE MAGAZINE February/March 2015
7
HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUITY
ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Men in Nursing raises funds for EVA BC
SKILLFUL STEWARDS BCNU’s education department held advanced steward training workshops this January. For the first time, participants included former Union of Psychiatric Nurses stewards who have joined BCNU since the recent merger of both unions. The January 27 workshop participants are shown here. Back row, from left, Kim Bentley, Ron Morley, Donna Moore, Bobbie-Jo Allen, Katrina Webster, Suellen Larsen, Sue Janzen, Margaret Doniec, Susan Sitter, Amy Bordas, Richard Massey, Yolanda Hamilton, Ian Dayneswood, Sue Bateman, Christine Brisebois and Pam Ferguson. Front row, from left, Jody Blackman, Jaswinder (Jassi) Chahal, Megan Kok, BCNU executive councillor Dan Murphy, Gordon Wilson and Tiger Robinson.
MAKING NEWS
BCNU in the headlines
PATIENTS IN HALLWAYS – AGAIN
Earlier in the month, Sorensen blew the whistle When a 68-year-old patient on overcrowded conditions recently spent more than at the University Hospital three weeks at Royal of Northern BC, where Columbian Hospital recovpatients were lined up in ering from major surgery the hallways, lounges and in a hallway – one of shower room. “It dozens of patients was very disin the halls of the tressing to see hospital – BCNU Vice the level of care President Christine that was being Sorensen told CTV provided because News that the the nurses were problem was more working in a very than just a seasonal Christine Sorensen diff icult situaphenomenon at the tion,” she told facility. “We’re seeing Global News on this, it’s a pervasive probFeb. 6, fearing that patients lem across the province,” will continue to face extenSorensen told the network sive waits and poor care on Feb. 10, adding that she conditions. “I’m very, very had also seen overcrowding concerned for patients in hospitals in Abbotsford in the province of British and Prince George. Columbia.”
W
HEN BCNU MEN IN NURSING GROUP members grew their mustaches last November to raise money and awareness for men’s health, the group challenged the union’s provincial executive to match the amount they raised dollar-for-dollar. The group was able to raise $4,060 for the Movember Foundation and, true to its word, BCNU issued a cheque for the same amount – made out to the Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC), a provincial organization representing more than 240 anti-violence and victim service programs across the province that responds to sexual and domestic violence, child abuse and stalking. “I am so proud of our group,” says BCNU South Fraser Valley region lobby coordinator and Men in Nursing group chair Walter Lumamba. The Surrey nurse feels that EVA BC deserves the group’s support. “It’s important for us to create awareness, we are men and we should be respectful to women.” EVA BC Executive Director Tracy Porteous is grateful for the support. “The anti-violence sector is predominantly women, and when they first heard about Men in Nursing initiating contact to support us, I heard from many of my colleagues across the province who were astounded,” she reports. “I’m blown away by the commitment of a small group of men who could do something as big as this – $4,000 is huge for our organization.” Established in 1992, EVA BC provides its membership with program support, training, resources and tools. It works with communities across BC to end violence against women and children. It collaborates with government, police and communities to ensure that victims of violence do not fall through the cracks. update SUPPORTING ANTIVIOLENCE BCNU nurses present cheque to the Ending Violence Association of BC. From left: BCNU West Kootenay region chair Lorne Burkart, EVA BC Executive Director Tracy Porteous and BCNU South Fraser Valley region lobby coordinator and Men in Nursing chair Walter Lumamba.