NEWSBITES

said Minister Dix.

“By expanding these services with the new Dogwood Care Home within the Vancouver area, we are meeting our commitment to provide safe, accessible and quality care for seniors in our communities.”

Residents were transferred from Dogwood Lodge, George Pearson and Purdy Pavilion.

Data breach at HEABC

On July 13, the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) discovered a data breach had occurred between May 9 and June 12.

HEU members on the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry may have had their personal information compromised.

HEABC immediately hired cybersecurity experts to launch an investigation and implement steps to secure their systems, and notified those potentially impacted with free resources to secure their personal information.

The incident was also reported to authorities.

“Our conductors make sure new members learn their rights, how the union works, and where to immediately find help,” she adds. “They also get new members’ information on upcoming events at the local, with HEU and in the community, providing members with multiple roads to activism.”

Looking back on the experience, St. Pierre learned a lot from that election failure. But it was the hope she harboured about the great things that Menno local members were going to keep doing in the future that kept her focused.

“We have to maintain that hope and the only way we do that is continue creating and constructing and progressing and moving forward somehow.”

NEIL MONCKTON

First Nations premier elected in Manitoba

Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew made history on October 3 by becoming the first First Nations premier elected in Canada. Winning a majority government, Kinew’s campaign platform was anchored on increased funding for health care, including emergency departments and seniors’ care, along with child care and reduced class sizes.

Outgoing Progressive Conservative Premier Heather Stefanson stepped down as party leader, as did Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont, who lost his riding to NDP’s Robert Loiselle.

Revera withdraws from seniors’ care sector

Revera has sold 87 seniors residences across Canada, including five HEU sites, as the company shifts its focus to property management.

Parkwood Court, Parkwood Place, and The Kensington in Victoria will be managed by Optima Living, while Crofton Manor in Vancouver

Stronger Together

When Marie Bouchard became an HEU member in 2020, she expected to hear from her union right away.

But Mountain Lake local in Nelson was struggling. There was little union presence, and no regular meetings.

Bouchard attributes this to high staff turnover. The for-profit facility has changed employers three times in three years, a frustrating experience that, she feels, showed little regard for the workers.

“We’re mostly women in this sector, and many of us are racialized,” says Bouchard. “So, even in 2023, we still have to fight for respect at our workplace. That means we have to get involved and organize to get stronger.”

Bouchard and her co-worker Kayla Van Dussen began talking with other workers, encouraging them to get involved, and identifying those who could take leadership roles.

And at a local meeting this July, a turnout of 30 people – much higher than previous meetings –allowed them to fill all the local executive positions.

The local officers plan to take skills and leadership training to sustain their momentum. And they’re eager to connect workers, so they are better positioned to stand up for their workplace rights.

THI VU