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Dispatches
HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN NEWSLEI I ER
OCTOBER 1992
1992 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Who :
All H.S.A.S. Members
What:
Annual General Meeting
7:30
Where: Regina Room in the Saskatoon Inn at
BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
2002 Airport Drive, Saskatoon When:
Why:
Saturday, October 24, 1992 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (complimentary wine/beer and hors d'oeuvres to follow) (1) Hear Lorne Calvert speak on the reorganization and rationalization of health care in the province. Mr. Calvert is the recently appointed Associate Minister of Health. (2) Receive an update from your Bargaining Team on the status of provincial negotiations with the Saskatchewan Health Care Association. (3) Discuss the current H.S.A.S. dues structure and whether or not a change is necessary.
(1)
Adoption of Agenda
(2)
Adoption of the October 19, 1991 Annual General Meeting Minutes
(3)
President's Annual Report
(4)
Finance Committee presents Auditor's Report (copies available from Executive Council Members, District Council Chairpersons or the H.S.A.S . Office from October 21, 1992 onwards)
(5)
Executive Director's Annual Report
(6)
Committee Reports: (a) Negotiating - Chairperson Roberta Ekberg (b) Communication - Tim Slattery (c) Grievance - Tim Slattery (d) Education - Tim Slattery (e) Emergency - Tim Slattery
(7)
Election of Executive Council Members to represent; Dietitians, Laboratory Technologists, Psychologists.Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Social Workers , Speech Language Pathologists and Orthoptists. The term in office for those elected is two years except the representatives for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Technologists and Speech Language Pathologists and Orthoptists who due to mid-term. resignations will serve a one year term,
(4) Find out what your union has been involved with over the past year. (5) H.S .A.S. members attending will have an opportunity to win one of two cash prizes of $100.00 each. Bring This Copy Of Dispatches With You To The Annual General Meeting_
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA
Annual President's Dinner for all Executive Council Members (current, outgoing and incoming), Board of Governors and District Council Chairpersons
1:00 - 1:20 Registration 1:20 - 1:30 Introduction and welcome by President, Ted Makeechak 1:30 - 3:30 Guest Speaker Lorne Calvert Topic: Reorganization and Rationalization of Health Care in the Province
Content Highlites Annual General Meeting ................. pages 1-4 Update on H.S.A.S. Involvement with Health Boards ..................... pages 4-6
3:30 - 5:30 Business Meeting (see Agenda)
H.S.A.B .C. Settles Contract... ......... pages 6-7 5:30 - 6:30 Social with complimentary wine/beer and hors d'oeuvres
H.S.A.S. Needs You ............... ....... .
page 8
H.S.A.S. Grievances ...................... .
page 9
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Prof~Qlq) Dietitians
llnrrtm/lbsJila
JuliaPunga/ PlainsHealthCentre Laboratory KarenGiesbrechV Technologists RoyalUniversity Psychologists NahidAhmad/ RoyalUniversity Radiology& TracyPaulenko/ NuclearMedicineTech. RoyalUniversity SocialWorkers CarolCohen/ Saskatoon City SpeechLanguage SherryBockus/ & Drthoptists St. Paul's Pathologists
(8)
N:mi'la1ms/lb!ptal Michael Chan/ ReginaGeneral BernardSchaan/ RoyalUniversity NahidAhmad/ RoyalUniversity ElaineKrieger/ RoyalUniversity Elliot PausJenssen/ RoyalUniversity LauraCarney/ RoyalUniversity
New Business: (a) Discussion of the current H..S.A.S. dues structure and whether or not a change is necessary.
(9)
Members Resolutions
(10) Adjournment (11) Lottery to select winners of two cash prizes of $100.00 each (only those who are H.S.A.S. members and present at the draw will be eligible).
ATTENTION H.S.A.S. MEMBERS IN REGINA AND PRINCE ALBER T
He then introduced the Executive Director, Tim Slattery who introduced the guest speaker.
Guest Speaker: The guest speaker was Pat Stuart, President of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, who spoke on their recently completed prov incial negotiations with the Saskatchewan Health Care Association. At the conclusion of her talk, she answered questions from the floor.
Adopt ion of the Agenda: Following the speaker, a brief coffee break was taken. At 3:30 p.m. Ed Dewhurst, serving as Chairperson, called the Business meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. and called for adoption of the Agenda. Moved by: Seconded by:
Lesley Chlopan Nahid Ahmad
Ed Dewhurst added the following items to the Agenda: (a) the Contract Committee Chairperson will give her report after the Auditor's Report and (b) Tim Slattery wil_l present Committee Reports along with his Executive Director's Report.
The Association will provide transportation to and from the Annual General Meeting. If you ar~ interested in this offer please contact:
Motion Carried
Roberta Ekberg, Regina Bonnie Reed, Prince Albert
Adoption of the October Meeting Minutes:
home: 781-2367 home: 764-1338
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCH EWAN HELD ON OCTOBER 19, 1991 Call to Order :
The meeting was called to order by President Ed Dewhurst at 1:20 p.m. He welcomed everyone and introduced the following Executive Council Members:
The Chairperson called for adoption of the October 20, 1990 A.G .M. minutes Moved by: Seconded by:
Terry Akister Edna Blum
Motion Carried
Ed Dewhurst presented his report and moved its adoption Seconded by:
Lesley Chlopan
Motion Carried
Auditor's Report: Karen Giesbrecht, Secretary/Treasurer, thanked;
ÂŁ.Heruwe[anj~
NahidAhmad - Psychologists LesleyChlopan - SpeechLanguage Pathologists andOrthoptists - SocialWorkers CarolCohen MichelleCroshaw , Occupational Therapists - Pharma cists RobertaEkberg KarenGiesbrecht - LaboratoryTechnologists HollyHudson - Dietitians TedMakeechak - PhysicalTherapists llsbt:t Cot.rdChairpenuts.nl ~ BonnieReed - Victoria UnionHospital - SaskatoonCityHospital RenateOlesko
ofGwemrs:
RonCurrie
General
President's Annual Report:
The Annual General Meeting of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan was held in the Manitoba Room at the Saskatoon Inn in Saskatoon on Saturday, October 19, 1991.
eoa,i
20, 1990 Annual
- RoyalUniversityHospital
The Finance Committee members (Frank Bertoia, Ed Dewhurst, Ted Makeechak and Tim Slattery) and Lynn Regier, Office Assistant for their l3ssistance over the past year in preparing the budget and keeping the Synoptic Journal. Karen Giesbrecht then moved that the following Audited Statements be adopted:
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(a) General H.S.A.S. Statements
Motion Carried
Seconded by:
Contract Committee Chairperson's Report:
Terry Akister
Edna Blum requested an explanation of: (1) The figure for miscellaneous expenses under Executive Directorate Disbursements. In response Karen Giesbrecht listed the following items that were included in the miscellaneous category:
Roberta Ekberg presented an oral report on various activities that have taken place in preparation for negotiations. She concluded by introducing the Bargaining Team (Roberta Ekberg, Karen Giesbrecht, Lorraine Marquis, Yvonne Ounsworth, Ron Currie and Tim Slattery) and Strategic Planning Committee Chairperson , Ted Makeechak.
• October, 1990 Annual General Meeting two cash prizes of $100.00 each= $200.00
Committee Reports :
• Christmas bonus for our Office Assistant, Lynn Regier = $200.00
On behalf of the Committee Members, Tim Slattery presented the following reports and moved their adoption: Communication, Education Fund, Emergency Fund, Essential Services and Grievance.
• Feature wall in the office to honor past presidents = $300.00 - Donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of Bill Bidwell= $100.00
Seconded by:
Lesley Chlopan
Motion Carried Executive Director's Annual Report :
• Sponsorship of the Women and Mental Wellness Conference to be held October 25, 26 and 27 in Saskatoon = $1,500 .00 · Ad placed in the Star Phoenix welcoming new members from Saskatoon City Hospital= $100.00 (2) Why legal costs were so high.
Tim Slattery presented his annual report and moved its adoption Seconded by:
Michelle Croshaw
Motion Carried Election of Executive Council Members:
In response Karen explained that Legal Counsel was required for our carve out application at Royal University Hospital, Certification applications at Saskatoon City Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital and four grievances that were proceeding to arbitration. Ron Currie pointed out that the major portion of this expense was due to the Royal University Hospital carve out application. He stated further that this can be considered an unusual expenditure as it is precedent setting and once concluded may reduce our future legal costs.
The Chairperson reported that one nomination per vacant position had been received; therefore, the following are elected by acclamation for a two year term: Prufessoa~
Nin!
~
Occupational Therapists Pharmacists PhysicalTherapists Radiology andNuclearMedicineTechnol ogists SpeechLanguage Pathologists andOrthoptists
ColleenHancharuk RobertaEkberg TedMakeechak TracyPaulenko SherryBackus
R.U.H. Pasqua St. Paul's R.U.H. St. Paul's
Motion Carried
New Business:
(b) Scholarship Foundation Inc. Statement
No new business was raised.
Seconded by:
Proposed Amendments to the H.S.A .S. By-Laws:
Terry Akister
Motion Carried (c) Emergency Fund Statement Seconded by:
Holly Hudson
Roberta Ekberg pointed out that no money was paid out of the Fund this year. Motion Carried In concluding Karen Giesbrecht moved that Glen Dean be appointed as the Auditor for the fiscal year October 1, 1991 to September 30, 1992. Seconded by:
Terry Akister
The Chairperson requested Ted Makeechak to explain the proposed amendments. Terry Akister moved adoption of the First Amendment. Article II "Membership" Section 2(b) Non -Active Members: Current Wording: "Registered students, members on an approved leave of absence, or other individuals involved in any of the health sciences professions or occupations in the provision of health care in the province of Saskatchewan, upon payment of the initiation fee, shall be eligible as non-active members, without the right to vote or hold office in the Association." Rationale for Amendment: It is a violation of Section 11(2)(d) of the Trade Union Act not to allow employees in the bargaining unit to take
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part in a strike vote. Proposed Wording: "Any person eligible for membership in the Association from whom dues are not deducted, except an employee on an approved leave of absence from their employer, will be deemed inactive and will not be eligible to vote or to hold office. Seconded by: Lesley Chlopan Motion Carried Michelle Croshaw moved adoption of the Second Amendment. Article II "Membership" Section 3(b): Current Wording: "In the event that a member ceases employment and is subsequently re-employed within six (6) calendar months by an employer covered by a Collective Agreement of the Association or is on an approved leave of absence, no new initiation fee shall be levied." Rationale for amendment: Our current initiation fee is $25 .00. To reduce the economic impact on a member who ceases employment and is subsequently re-employed, increase the six (6) calendar month period to two (2) years. Proposed Wording: "In the event that a member ceases employment and is subsequently re-employed within two (2) years by an employer covered by a Collective Agreement of the Association or is on an approved leave of absence, no new initiation fee shall be levied." Seconded by: Edna Blum Motion Carried
Lottery: The winners of the two $100.00 door prizes were: Val Einarson
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist at Royal University Hospital
Barb Goodsman - Laboratory Technologist at Saskatoon City Hospital
Adjournment: There being no further business, Lesley Chlopan moved adjournment at 4:30 p.m. Seconded by: Michelle Croshaw Motion Carried End of Annual General Meeting
H.S.A.S. CONTINUING EDUCATION GRANTS The Education Fund was established at the October 1990 Annual General Meeting with the purpose of promoting continuing education in areas directly related to one's present position. A lottery system is used to select applicants with five (5) names drawn on October 1 and five (5) names on May 15 of each year. Successful applicants are eligible for a maximum of $500.00 It is the position of H.S.A.S. that the responsibility for assuming costs associated with continuing job related education resides with the employer. To ensure our Fund is not treated as a primary funding source the Education Fund Committee requests members to apply to their employers or other sources prior to making application to the H.S.A.S. Education Fund. The successful applicants in the May 15, 1992 lottery were as follows: Name Julie Gordon Val Irvin Donna Olson Shannon Wilde Eleanor Williams
Hospital R.U.H. R.U.H . R.U.H. S.C.H . R.U .H.
Occupation Physical Therapist Dietitian Dietitian Physical Therapist Laboratory Technologist
The successful applicants in the October 1, 1992 lottery were as follows: Name Sandra Gibney -Long Sylvia Keal! Janice MacDougall Kelly Murtland Lorna Sacro
Hospital R.U.H. Plains S.P.H. S.P .H. R.U.H.
Occupation Physical Therapist Social Worker Physical Therapist Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist
The next lottery will be held May 15, 1993. Application forms can be obtained from Executive Council Members, District Council Chairpersons or the H.S.A.S. office.
UPDATE ON H.S.A.S. INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATOON AND REGINA HEALTH BOARDS
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Prince Albert:
~, "Are you eatir.g properly and getting plenty of exercise?"
June 1, 1992 The Prince Albert Health Board was established to oversee the provision of health care in the following facilities; Prince Albert Pineland District #28 Home Care Inc., Northern Housing Development Inc., Mont St. Joseph Nursing Home Inc ., Holy Family Hospital and Victoria Union Hospital.
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September 25, 1992 The Prince Albert Health Board met with representatives from the various unions who represent health care workers in the five facilities . H.S.A .S. was represented by Bonnie Reed, a Physical Therapist at V.U.H. and Tim Slattery . The purpose of the meeting was to: (1) provide the unions with notice that an amalgamation of health care services would be occurring and (2) propose the establishment of a Joint Union Management Committee.
July 29, 1992 Tim Slattery , Ted Makeechak, Renate Olesko and Karen Giesbrecht met with Jim Fergusson and the Co-Chairs of the Lab Project Team (Ian Sutherland and Bruce Murray). They stated the project team was undertaking three initiatives:
October 6, 1992 Representatives from the Prince Albert Health Board hav e agreed to meet with H .S.A.S . representatives from Victoria Union Hospital on this date. The purpose of this meeting will be to bring our members up to date vis a vis P.A. Health Board initiatives and to provide H.S.A.S. with an opportunity to put forward their views on the integration of health services and have their questions and concerns addressed.
The process of standardizing methods of lab testing was to begin immediately. Their proposal had a sub-committee for each major section in the lab comprised of the following : medical person, section chief and unioni zed laboratory technologists as chosen by management. We stressed that if they wanted union participation then the laboratory technologists would select who they wanted on these subcommittees. This was agreed to and we forwarded them names . Although technologists suffer no loss of pay for attending sub-committee meetings we are waiting for a decision from the Saskatoon Health Board on whether or not technologists will be compensated for committee work performed on their own time. We were also told at this meeting that, information on specimen transportation costs would be shared with the union prior to any decisions being made with respect to rationalization of lab services.
Saskatoon : May 7, 1992 H.S .A.S . submitted 11 briefs to the Saskatoon Health Board. Each brief was prepared by members who work in one of the 11 professions represented by H.S.A.S. in the city of Saskatoon. Generally speaking, the briefs cont ained an outline of what clinical services each profession provided, recommendations for cost savings and suggestions for integration of services. May 1 - 21, 1992 The various project teams established by the Saskatoon Health Board released their reports. May 28, 1992 Representatives of each professional group represented by H.S.A.S. and affected by a project team report (Dietitians, Laboratory Technologists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Radiology Technologists, Speech Language Pathologists and Social Workers) met with the Saskatoon Health Board. The purpose of this meeting was to provide our members with an opportunity to respond to Project Team recommendations . Several of the groups provided written submissions to the Board. May 30, 1992 The Saskatoon Health Board stated in scope lay offs would be occurring the week of June 8, 1992. They also indicated a willingness to negotiate lay off language with S.U.N., S.E.I.U. and ourselves. June 4-5, 1992 The H.S.A.S. bargaining team (Ron Currie, Roberta Ekberg, Karen Giesb recht, Lorraine ~arquis, Yvonne Ounsworth and Tim Slattery) met with representatives of the Saskatoon Health Board to negotiate lay off language. As a result of those discussions a memorandum of agreement governing lay offs in Saskatoon was signed June 5, 1992.
(1) standardizin g methods of lab testing (2) assessing different methods of results reporting (3) determining costs assoc iated with specimen transfer
August 17, 1992 A letter was written to Mr. Cliff Wright requesting him to delineate the 42 management positions that were to have been eliminated. He was also requested to confirm our understanding that H.S.A.S. members will have an opportunity to respond to any changes that affect them prior to implementation. No response has been received from Mr. Wright to date. September 30, 1992 Because of concern expressed by H.S.A.S. psychologists about changes to the delivery of mental health services in Saskatoon Tom Archibald, VicePresident of Continuing Care , met with several Royal University Hospital Psychologists and Tim Slattery this date. Mr. Archibald indicated that no plan for mental health services has been decided upon and that H.S.A.S. Psychologists will have input as to how mental health services will be integrated. Regina : June 25, 1992 H.S.A.S. submitted 5 briefs to the Regina Health Board. Each brief was prepared by members who work in one of the 5 professions represented by H.S.A.S. in the City of Regina. June 29, 1992 Regina Health Board announces plans to integrate the Departments of Human Resources, Materials Management and Finance.
June 9, 1992 The following lay offs occurred this date: Saskatoon City Hospital
• 1 full-time Pharmacist was reduced to .6 F.T.E.
St. Paul's Hospital
• 1 full-time Pharmacist was reduced to .6 F.T.E. (this Pharmacist has recently regained his fulltime status)
Royal University Hospital • 3 part-time Radiology Technologi sts had their hours reduced from 2 1/2 days per week to 2 days per week) • the following vacancies were eliminated 1 fulltime Technologist I, 3 Bacteriology lab, 2 full-time Senior Pharmacists, .3 Staff Pharmacists
June 26 - September 16, 1992 The various health care unions in Regina (C.U.P.E., R.W.D.S.U., S.G.E.U., S.U.N. and H.S.A.S .) met over the summer to negotiate transfer and merger language. As of September 16, 1992 a draft memorandum of agreement has been agreed to and is waiting for signatures . H.S.A .S. was represented by Roberta Ekberg and Tim Slattery during these negotiations. August 10, 1992 The various unions representing health care workers (C.U.P.E., R.W.D.S.U., S.G.E.U., S.U.N. and H.S.A.S.) met with the Regina Health Board. The purpose of this meeting was to update unions on Board initiatives.
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Mr. Grossman, the Board Chairperson, indicated no C.E.O. had been hired to date and that the Board has no capital budget to implement Atkinson Report recommendations.
September 1, 1992 Copies of Louise Simard's document was forwarded by Tim Slattery to the H.S.A.S. membership for their consideration and review.
September 14, 1992 Representatives from the Regina Health Board met with unions who represent employees at Regina General Hospital to discuss the status of the civic pension and disability income Plans. H.S.A.S. was represented by Yvonne Ounsworth and Tim Slattery. Some of the questions that the Regina Health Board posed were as follows: ·
September 8, 1992 Various unions representing health care workers (C.U.P.E., R.W.D.S .U., S.E.I.U. , S.G .E.U., S .U.N. and H.S.A.S.) met with Department of Health representatives. The purpose of this meeting was to provide unions with an opportunity to discuss labour issues that need to be resolved. H.S.A.S. was represented by Ted Makeechak and Tim Slattery. A similar meeting was held July 21, 1992 for health care employers to discuss the same issues.
- will new Regina General Hospital employees have the option of joining either the Civic or S.H.A. Pension Plan? - will employees who voluntarily or involuntarily transfer to another facility have the option of .continuing participation in the Civic Pension Plan or of transferring their contributions to the S.H.A. 'Plan? - will employees have the option of joining either the Civic or S.H.A. Disability Income Plan?
September 28, 1992 Representatives of each professional group represented by H.S.A .S. in Regina (Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists and Social Workers) met with the Regina Health board. The purpose of the meeting was to enable H.S.A.S. members to elaborate on their briefs that had been submitted June 25, 1992 and to make the Board aware of cost savings that could be realized if the expertise of our various professions were utilized. NOTE** THROUGHOUT OUR VARIOUS INTERACTIONS WITH THE PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATOON AND REGINA HEAL TH BOARDS YOUR UNION HAS EMPHASIZED THREE POINTS IN PARTICULAR: (1) H.S.A.S. members must be part of any decision making model that is used to implement change in those areas where our members are working. (2) If reductions in staff are necessary they should occur through the process of attrition and not layoffs. (3) The various Health Boards must allocate moneys for retraining to ensure that laid off employees are brought back to work as quickly as possible within the health care system.
UPDATE ON H.S.A.S INVOLVEMENT WITH VARIOUS PROVINCIAL BODIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE WELLNESS MODEL July 9, 1992 H.S.A.S. submitted all of the briefs that were forwarded to the Regina and Saskatoon Health Boards to the Wellness Team in Regina. No response has been received to date. August 17, 1992 Louise Simard, Minister of Health, released her document entitled "A Saskatchewan Vision For Health". · August 25, 1992 The Department of Health announced the establishment of a Labour Relations Review Committee whose mandate is to provide the Minister of Health with recommendations on needed changes and new approaches to employee relations. Kurt Wetzel, professor of Industrial Relations at the U of S, is the only confirmed appointment to this 3 person committee.
September 15, 1992 In August 1992 the Department of Health appointed a Laboratory Review Plan to advise the Minister of Health on the rationalization of lab services in the province. It is made up of the following people: Miles Kilshaw - Medical Consultant with the Department of Health in B.C. Gary Tompkins - Head of the Department of Economics at the U of R Elmer Schwartz • Special Advisor to Saskatchewan Health On September 15, 1992 Ted Makeechak, Laboratory Technologists from S.C.H. and R.U.H. and Tim Slattery met with the Review Panel in Saskatoon. The purpose of this meeting was to provide H.S.A.S. members with an opportunity to dialogue with the panel over the issue of rationalization. September 21, 1992 Because of the frustratior;i over the lack of communication from the Department of Health, lack of union participation in the development of the wellness model and the slow pace of provincial negotiations, the various unions representing health care workers requested a meeting with Don Ching, head of the Crown Investment Corporation. The purpose of this meeting was to provide an opportunity for C.U.P.E., S.G.E.U., S.U.N. and H.S.A.S. to express their concerns to Mr. Ching who would in turn inform the appropriate individuals in government what the problems were and hopefully come up with solutions. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Ching indicated that he would get back to the unions once he had an opportunity to discuss our concerns with the decision makers.
PROVINCIAL NEGOTIATIONS Negotiations between H.S.A.S. and the Saskatchewan Health Care Association (S.H.A.): Your Bargaining Team (Ron Currie, Roberta Ekberg, Karen Giesbrecht, Lorraine Marquis, Yvonne Ounsworth and Tim Slattery) has met with the S.H.A. on the following dates May 11 and 12 _and September 10, 11, 21 and 22. Additional dates have been scheduled for October 15, 16, 26 and 27. Plan on attending the A.G.M. if you would like to receive an update on negotiations.
Common Table Bargaining: In the April, 1992 edition of Dispatches we explained that despite our protests, H.S.A.S. was excluded from common table bargaining even though the S.H.A. was an active
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participant. During our May 11, 1992 negotiating session; however, we were informed by the S.H.A. that they had withdrawn from the common table.
Social Worker (MSW)
H.S .A.B.C. H.S.A.A. H.S.A.S.
22.38 21.03 17.99
27.92
20.81 19.14 16.62
25 .96
Step 1
Steps
26.99 22 .28
Dietitian (Staff)
H.S.A.B.C. H.S.A.A. H.S.A.S .
24.59 19.74 Step6
StepB
Psychologist (Staff Phd)
H.S .A.B.C . H.S .A.A. H.S .A.S .
26 .97 25 .38 26 .05
33 .63 32.55 29.55
LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD Re: Carve out of various health care professionals from the S.E.I.U. bargaining units at Royal University and St. Paul's Hospitals. To date, the Board has not established a time to hear our applications.
LABOUR CANADA PROVIDES H.S.A.S. WITH FUNDS "How many times have I told you to wear your helmet?n
HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA SETTLES CONTRACT WHICH EXPIRED MARCH 31, 1991 On June 30, 1992 H.S.A .B.C. signed a contract with the Health Labour Relations Association providing an average 9.2% increase to all classifications for the period April 1, 1991 to March 31, 1993. This 9.2% increase includes a 1.5% pay equity adjustment in each year. What follows is a comparison of current wage scales of particular classifications within each occupational group between Health Sciences Association of British Columbia (H .S.A .B.C.), Health Sciences Association of Alberta (H .S .A .A.) and Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (H.S.A.S.). Step 1 Step 6 Step 7 Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Laboratory Technologist I
H.S.A.B.C. H.S.A.A. H.S.A.S.
18.65 17.19 14.93
23 .25 21.87 18.08
Step 1 Speech Language Pathologist (MA)
Step 6
H.S.A.B.C. H.S.A.A. H.S.A.S .
27 .92
22 .38 21 .03 18.98
Step 8
26.99 23 .07
Orthoptist (Staff)
H.S.A.B.C. H.S.A.A. H.S.A.S .
19.35 18.67 15.22
24 .14 24.01 18.10
Occupational and Physical Therapist (Staff Degree)
H.S.A.B.C. H.S.A.A. H.S .A.S.
20.09 18.67 16.68
25 .05
22.38 21.03 19.16
27.92
24.01 20 .33
Pharmacist (Staff)
H.S .A.B.C. H.S.A.A. H.S .A.S.
StepB
26 .99 23.29
In response to our application for funding to assist H.S.A.S. in conduct ing a Seminar on grievance handling, Labour Canada has provided H.S.A.S. with a grant in the amount of $881.00 . Date and location of this seminar will be announced.
1992 RON CURRIE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD A $500.00 scholarship is awarded annually in recognition of Ron's leadership in forming H.S.A.S . It is presented to a student in the College of Pharmacy who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership to the Student body of the College or to Canadian Pharmacy Students. The recipient is chosen by a committee representing the Faculty of Pharmacy, H.S.A.S. and the Pharmacy Students' Society. This year's winner is Harold Just who is entering his fourth year of studies.
20 TH. ANNUAL INTERPROVINCIAL MEETING The Association Professionalle Des Technologistes Medicaux Du Quebec and the Centrale des Professionnel (le)s de la Sante' co-hosted the lnterprovincial on June 17, 18 and 19, 1992 in Quebec City, Quebec . H.S.A.S . was represented by Tim Slattery. In attendance were representatives from; Health Sciences Association of British Columbia, Health Sciences Association of Alberta, Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, The Association of Allied Health Professionals: Ontario, Association of Allied Health Professionals Newfoundland and Labrador, Association Professionalle Des Technologistes Medicaux Du Quebec and the Centrale des Professionnel (le)s de la Sante'.
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For your information the Association Professionalle Des Technologistes Medicaux Du Quebec represents approximately 4000 Laboratory Technologists and the Centrale des Professionel (le)s de la Sante' is a federation of 8 health professional unions (Radiology Technologists, Dietetic Technicians, Physical Therapists, Dietitians, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists, Dental Hygenists and E .C .G . Technologists) representing approximately 7000 employees. The various provincial reports were presented first, with the rest of the time devoted to discussion on topics of special interest such as; centralized bargaining, downsizing, privitization etc.. The next interprovincial will be hosted by the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals in June, 1993.
EXECUT IVE COUNC IL HIGHLITES
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H.S.A.S. NEEDS YOU For years H.S.A.S. has attempted to gain representation on the S.H.A. Employee Benefits Plan Committee. We are pleased to announce that the S.H.A. has recently requested us to forward the name of an H.S.A .S. member who will serve on the Committee. The Employee Benefits Plan Committee is comprised of employer, union and non-union representatives . It makes recommendations to the S.H.A . Board regarding the management of the benefit plans. The Committee meets 9 times per year on the last Thursday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No meetings are scheduled for July, August or December . Meetings alternate between Saskatoon and Regina. The S.H.A. pays all expenses (transportation, meals, accommodation) except wages which H.S.A.S. will pay. If you are interested in serving on this Committee please call Tim Slattery at 955-3399 by October 15, 1992.
June 23, 1992: ¡ The Chairperson, Ted Makeechak, read a letter from Glennis Joyce of the Women and Mental Well-Being Advisory Group thanking H.S.A.S. for it's generous support of their conference entitled Beyond the Problem: Women and Mental Well-Being. - Tim Slattery reported the following: (1) The results of the vote held in April on the transfer of services were as follows : 59% of the membership voted. Of those voting 67% voted in favor of H.S.A .S. members working at the host site maintaining their positions, with vacancies created as a result of the transfer filled by seniority from the sending site. 32% voted in favor of combining the H.S.A.S. seniority lists of the departments affected and filling the number of positions required by seniority. (2) That the H.S.A.S. Bargaining Team met in Davidson April 15, 1992 and decided it was necessary to write the following letters : (a) Letter to the Editors of 33 Saskatchewan newspapers responding to Dr. Kuhling's remarks and (b) Letter to Louise Simard expressing concern over our limited opportunity for input into the development of a wellness model. September 24, 1992: • Tim Slattery reported the following : (1) On July 29, 1992 representatives from H.S.A.S. Social Workers attended a meeting in Davidson with representatives from S.A .S.W. to discuss the proposed Social Workers Act. H.S.A.S. under wrote the cost of the meeting room. H.S.A.S. was represented by Tim Slattery, Carol Cohen, Lorraine Marquis, Nora-Anne Dornstauder, Rosalie Zagorin and Angie Mcconnel. S.A .S.W . was represented by Sheila Brandick and Linda Wacker. (2) With the help of legal counsel, Kevin Wilson, an H.S.A.S . brief was prepared for submission to the Trade Union Act Review Committee.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY On August 25, 1992 the Saskatchewan Health Care Association hosted a meeting on the issue "Aggressive Behavior In The Workplace". H.S.A.S. was represented by Ted Makeechak and what follows is his report: The meeting was chaired by Judy Bell, Employee Relations Consultant for S.H.A., with S.H.A.'s Bill Parker and Darren Cherwaty present as facilitators. Representatives from S.U.N., S.R.N.A., S.E.I.U., C.U.P.E., and W.C.B . participated in discussing what is a growing, severely under-reported health care worker hazard. As the majority of front line patient care providers are women, violence against women is happening in the form of physical and verbal abuse and encompasses elements of sexual harassment. Perpetrators of this aggressive behavior are not only patients (clients) but family relations and physicians. If a health care worker gets yelled at, the end result is the same whether it originates from a patient or a physician. Clients enter our facilities carrying weapons, much of which is undetected, and is likely not as uncommon as we would like to believe, especially in general emergency room services or in psychiatric settings. There are difficulties defining the scope of what encompasses abuse, and it is recognized that physical and psychological well being of health care workers has to be addressed. There is likelihood, that reduced staffing trends including security services, with the present lack of education and training , will result in increased incidence of assault on health care workers. Strategies to reduce the risk of violence to health care workers, in addition to increasing security services to protect workers, essentially consists of implementation of a program of education and training known as P.A.R.T.
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Passive Assault Response Training must become an essential program in all health care institutions, like mandatory fire safety, C.P.R., back care program, etc. with yearly mandatory recertification. It was suggested that the S.H.A. is in an excellent position to exercise a leadership role to indoctrinate and implement "Part" training programs in all health care facilities, under it's mandate.
H.S.A.S. BRIEFS TO GOVERNMENT On behalf of our membership briefs have been forwarded to the following provincially established committees: March 31, 1992 -
Workers' Compensation Act Review Committee
September 29, 1992 • Trade Union Act Review Committee Should you wish to review these briefs please contact the H.S.A.S. office.
H.S.A.S. GRIEVANCES Hospital
Area
Nature of Grievance
Status
Regina General Royal University
Royal University
Dietetics
Royal University
Radiology
Failure to pay relief pay as per Article 16.08. Wage scale for Rehab . Assessor position agreed to but not implemented. Policy grievance . Failure on the part of the Hospital to negotiate terms and conditions for Marketing Dietitian position as per Articles 3.01 and 16.01 Canadian Dietetic Associat ion and Hospital requ ire Intern Coordinator to have a Masters Degree but Hospital refuses to negotiate a masters rate. Hospital improperly laid off 3 part time Radiology Technologists
Resolved at Supervisor's Level Outstanding issue
Royal University
Occupat ional Therapy Rehab. Outreach Services Dietetics
Royal University
Radiology
Royal University
Nuclear Medicine
Royal University Saskatoon Health Board
Failure on the part of the Hospital to negotiate as per Articles 3.01 and 16.01 over new positions in mammography located off site. Hospital: (1) not remitting dues for Radiopharmacist who is performing bargaining unit work and (2) is contracting out bargaining unit work (Radiopharmacy) Sick Leave policy Hospital has implemented is in breach of our contract Unilaterally implemented a pre- paid leave plan which H.S.A.S. is negotiating over with the S.H.A.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The Executive Council is the governing body that conducts the business of the Association between Annual General Meetings. The current Council members are:
Greivance pending
Grievance pending Grievance and/or unfair Labour practice application pending
DISTRICT COUNCIL CHAIR AND CO-CHAIRPERSONS To ensure an H.S.A.S. physical presence in all Hospitals, the Association provides for District Council Chairpersons who serve as liasons between member s of the District Council and the Executive Council and Executive Director.
Name
Executive Position
Group Represented
Ted Makeechak St. Paul's Hospital
President
Physical Therapists
Carol Cohen Saskatoon City Hospital
First Vice President
Social Workers
Karen Giesbrecht Royal Univers ity Hospital
Vice-President Sec. Treasurer
Laboratory Technologists
Prince Albert : Victoria Union Hospital
Roberta Ekberg Pasqua Hospital
Counci l Member
Pharmacists
Saskatoon: St. Paul's Hospital Saskatoon City Hospital
Colleen Hancharuk Royal Univers ity Hospital
Council Member
Occupat ional Therapists
"Sherry Bockus St. Paul's Hospital
Council Member
Speech Language Pathologists & Orthoptists
Nahid Ahmad Royal University Hospital
Council Member
Psycho logists
Julia Punga Plains Health Centre
Council Member
Dietitians
"Tracy Paulenko Royal University Hospital
Council Member
Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Technolog ists
District Council Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons
Royal University Hospital
• Both have resigned their posi1ions mid term. Until elections are held at the A.G .M. on October 24, 1992 Sherry will be replaced by Laura Carney, a Speec h Language Pathologist at Royal University Hospital and Tracy will be replaced by Elaine Krieger, a Radiology Technologist at Royal University Hosp ital.
Hospital is considering otter of settlement put forward by the union Discussions over this have been ongoing since December 1989 and will continue lndividuaVpolicy grievance is at the C.E.O . level Grievance pending
Bonn ie Reed
Physical Therapist
Ted Makeechak Shannon Wilde Renate Olesko
Physical Therapist Physical Therapist Laboratory Techno logist
Teny Akister
Laboratory Technologist
Regina: Plains & Pasqua Hospitals Don Kuntz Andrew Pedersen
Pharmacist (Plains) Pharmacist (Plains)
Regina General Hospital
Physical Therapist
Yvonne Ounsworth
BOARD OF GOVERNORS The Board of Governors provide guidance and counsel to ·the Executive Council on all matters within the administration of the Association. Any member having served more than one full term of two year s on the Executive Council, and having held either the office of President, First Vice President or Secretary/Treasurer for at least one full term of two years in such office elected by the Executive Council shall be eligible for election to the Board of Governors for a term of seven years.
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The current Governors are:
H.S.A.S. COMMITTEES
Name
Profession
Hospital
Ron Currie
Pharmacist
Royal University Hospital
Ed Dewhurst
Radiology Technologist
Royal University Hospital
H.S.A.S. STAFF Tim Slattery • Lynn Regier -
Executive Director Office Assistant
H.S.A.S. REPRESENTATIVES ON HOSPITAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEES Prince Albert: Victoria Union Hospital Saskatoon: St. Paul's Hospital Saskatoon City Hospital Royal University Hospital Regina : Pasqua Hospital Plains Health Centre Regina General Hospital
Bonnie Reed
Physical Therapist
Ted Makeechak Maureen Arthur Iris Natyshak Ron Currie
Physical Therapist Laboratory Technologist Laboratory Technologist Pharmacist
No H.S .A.S. Representative Shelly Hottman Social Worker Yvonne Ounsworth Physical Therapist
Please make your health and safety concerns known to your Occupational Health Committee Representative .
Finance: Karen Giesbrecht - Chairperson Ed Dewhurst Ted Makeechak Tim Slattery
Grievance: Ed Dewhurst Roberta Ekberg Ted Makeechak Joanne Walker Tim Slattery
Communication: Tim Slattery - Editor Terry Akister Lesley Chlopan Colleen Hancharuk Ted Makeechak
Emergency Fund: Nahid Ahmad - Chairperson Ted Makeechak Tim Slattery
Education Fund: Nahid Ahmad Terry Akister Carol Cohen Tim Slattery
Long Service Award: NahidAhmad Carol Cohen
Negotiating Committee: Ron Currie Roberta Ekberg - Chairperson Karen Giesbrecht Lorraine Marquis Yvonne Ounsworth Tim Slattery
Provincial Job Action Steering Committee: Nahid Ahmad Carol Cohen Ed Dewhurst Ted Makeechak Julia Punga
NOTE - Should you wish to participate on any of the above noted committees, please contact the H.S.A.S. ottice.
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NOTES
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HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, CLASSIFICATION (Technologist II, Ill, Senior, M.A. etc.) OR STATUS (Full-time, Part-time, LO.A. etc)? If you have, please let us know by clipp ing out the "change of information" form and forward it to the H.S.A.S. office.
CHANGE OF INFORMATION FORM PLEASE LIST BOTH OLD INFORMATION AND NEW INFORMATION NAME:
ADDRESS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PHONE NUMBER: ~~~~~~~~~~~~-
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: ~~~~~~~~~
CLASSIFICATION:
STATUS: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We would like to provide space in future editions of Dispatches for members' comments. If you have something you would like to see printed, please write to: Tim Slattery H.S.A.S. #2-3002 Louise Street Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7J 3L8 Dispatches is published for the information of members of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, a union of health care professionals.
If undelivered please return to: Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan #2-3002 Louise Street Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7J 3L8 Phone: 955-3399 速~ Sa'lkatooo locll ~t 5 No. 1 ~Mo,,.o,1 Uho