Dispatches October 1993

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HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATIONOF SASKATCHEWAN NEWSLETTER

Dispatches

OCTOBER 1993

LAY-OFFS HIT H.S.A.S. MEMBERS In April/May of this year the following H.S.A.S. positions were affected by provincial government cutbacks: Hospital

Saskatoon City Hospital Royal University Hospital

- .5 Staff Pharmacist was issued lay-off notice.

- vacant .5 Staff Physical Therapist position eliminated.

- vacant .8 Senior Physical Therapist position eliminated.

- 1 Full time Senior Dietitian position was abolished and the incumbent was issued a lay off notice.

- 1 Full time Laboratory Technologist I position in Histology was eliminated and the incumbent was issued a lay-off notice.

- 1 Temporary part time Laboratory Technologist I position in Blood Bank was eliminated and the incumbent was issued a lay-off notice .

- 1 Temporary full time Laboratory Technologist I position in Bacteriology was reduced to half time which in effect is a lay-off.

NOTICE OF 1993 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

When:

Why:

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA

What Occurred

Plains Health Centre Regina General Hospital

Who: What: Where:

Bring this copy of Dispatches with you to the Annual General Meeting

All H.S.A.S. Members Are Invited To Attend Annual General Meeting Terrace Room (Convention Level) Delta Bessborough Hotel 601 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon (parking available at the Avard Towers Parkade across the street from the Bessborough) Saturday, October 23, 1993 1:00 p.m . to 5:30 p.m The traditional Wine and Cheese which takes place at the conclusion of the Business Meeting will be held to welcome the following groups into our union;, ~ Catheter Techn oJggists and Trainees, Respj ratory 路 Thera p ists, 9..s.rdiol ogy Ie chnologists, ~ T echnologists and Trainees, Perf usio ois1s, E.M.G ,__ Technologists, Pulmonary Function Tecboa log i.搂. and Trainees, O rth op edic Tech no iog jsts , ~ Medical Laboratory Technologists and Student Radiology Technologists.

1) Hear Union and Management representatives from Saskatoon Chemicals Ltd. speak on their experiment with worker participation.

2) Receive an update from your Bargaining Team on the status of provincial negotiations with the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (formerly named the Saskatchewan Health Care Association).

3) Find out what your union has been involved with over the past year.

4) H.S.A.S. members attending will have an opportunity to win one of two cash prizes of $100.00 each.

1:00 - 1:20 1:20 - 1:30

G) 3:00 - 3:30 3:30 - 5:30 5:30 - 6:30 7:30

Registration , Introduction and Welcome by President, Ted Makeechak Guest speakers from Saskatoon Chemicals Ltd. Topic: Experiment With Worker Participation Refreshment Break Business Meeting (see Agenda) Social to Welcome new members into our Union Annual President's Dinner for all Executive Council Members (current, outgoing and incoming), Board of Governors and District Council Chairpersons

BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA 1) Adoption of Agenda 2) Adoption of the October 24, 1992 Annual General Meeting Minutes 3) President's Annual Report 4) Finance Committee presents Auditor's Report (copies will be available from Executive Council members, District Council Chairpersons or the H.S.A.S. office from October 20, 1993 onwards) 5) Executive Director's Annual Report 6) Committee Reports: a) Negotiating b) Communication c) Grievance d) Education e) Emergency

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Content Highlites Annual General Meeting ................. page 1 Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina Health Boards .... ........... page 2 Involvement with Provincial Government...... .................... ..... page 5 Labour Relations Board Matters ...... page 7 Benefits Update ..... .... ............. ....... .. page 7 H.S.A.S. Grievances ........ .............. . page 8 Spot-Light on Dietitians ... . ... . .... .... . .. page 9 President's Report........................... page 9 Committee Reports.......................... page 9 Executive Council Highlites ...... ........ page 1O Homo Generalis ........................... .... page 10

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Election of Members to the following positions Executive Council Incumbent/ Position Hospital a) Occupational Therapists b) Pharmacists

8)

9) 10) 11)

Colleen Hanch~ruk/ RUH Roberta Ekberg/ Pasqua Ted Makeechak/ SPH Elaine Krieger/RUH

Executive Council Nominations/ Hospital none received Roberta Ekberg Pasqua Ted Makeechak/ SPH none received

c) Physical Therapists d) Radiology Technologists/ Students & Nuclear Medicine Technologists e) Speech Language Laura Camey/RUH LauraCamey/RUH Pathologists & Orthoptists f) Cardiac Catheter New Seat Spencer Hanson/RUH CarrieMulligan/RUH Technologists& Trainees, MarkRosin/RUH RespiratoryTherapists,CardiologyTechnologists, E.E.G. Technologists& Trainees, Perfusionists,E.M.G. Technologists, Pulmonary FunctionTechnologists& Trainees & OrthopedicTechnologists New Business Members' Resolutions Adjournment 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)

ATTENT ION H.S.A .S. MEMBERS IN REGINA AND PRINCE ALBERT The union will provide transportation to and from the Annual General Meeting . If you are interested in this offer please contact: Roberta Ekberg, Regina home - 781-2367 Bonnie Reed, Prince Albert home - 764-1338

District Council Chairpersons Renate Olesko Shannon Wilde Terry Akister Yvonne Ounsworth Bonnie Reed

Call To Orde r: The Annual General Meeting of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan was held in the Regina Room at the Saskatoon Inn in Saskatoon on Saturday , October 24, 1992.

The meeting was called to order by President Ted Makeechak at 1:20 p.m. He welcomed everyone and introduced the following: Executive Council Members: Laura Carney

- Speech Language Pathologists and Orthoptists Carol Cohen - Social Workers Roberta Ekberg - Pharmacists Karen Giesbrecht - Laboratory Technologists Marylou Guenther - Psychologists (Filling in for Nahid Ahmad) Elaine Krieger - Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Technologists Ted Makeechak - Physical Therapists Adele McVicar - Dietitians (Filling in for Julia Punga) Board of Governors : Ron Currie Ed Dewhurst

and Co- Chairpersons:

Saskatoon City Hospital Saskatoon City Hospital Royal University Hospital Regina General Hospital Victoria Union Hospital

He then introduced the Executive Director, Tim Slattery , who introduced the guest speaker.

Guest Speaker: The guest speaker was Lorne Calvert, the recently appointed Associate Minister of Health . Mr. Calvert spoke on the history of medicare , the fiscal realities currently facing Saskatchewan and the Minister of Health's response .

At the conclusion of his talk, he answered questions from the floor .

Adoption of the Agenda: Following the speaker, a brief coffee break was taken. At 3:45 p.m.

Ted Makeechak, serving as Chairperson, called the Business meeting to order and requested a motion to adopt the agenda.

Moved by: Karen Giesbrecht Seconded by: Lesley Chlopan Motion Carried Adoption of the October 19, 1991 Annual General Meeting Minutes : The Chairperson called for adoption of the October 19 , 1991 A.G.M. minutes Moved by: Carol Cohen Seconded by: Lesley Chlopan Motion Carried President's Annual Report : Ted Makeechak presented his report and moved its adoption.

Seconded by: Roberta Ekberg Motion Carried Auditor's

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN HELD ON OCTOBER 24, 1992

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Report:

Secretary/Treasurer, Karen Giesbrecht, thanked: (a) Members of the Finance Committee; Ed Dewhurst, Ted Makeechak and Tim Slattery and (b) Lynn Regier, Office Assistant for their assistance over the past year in preparing the budget, completing the Statements of Receipts and Disbursements and maintaining the synoptic journal.

Karen Giesbrecht called for a motion to adopt the general Audited Statement .

Moved by: Edna Blum Seconded by: Yvonne Ounsworth What follows are the explanations that were requested from the floor and Karen Giesbrecht 's responses: 1. Explana tion requested for Executive Directorate Miscellaneous Expenses. Karen Giesbrecht stated the Miscellaneous sub路 heading is comprised of the following major expenditures; 1991 A.G.M. draw Star Phoenix subscription Office Assistant Christmas Bonus Expenses associated with moving including re-direction of mail, City of Saskatoon electricity deposit and lunch for those assisting in move Tim 's Life Insurance Translation of lnterprovincial Report into French Gifts for H.S.A.S. nominees to Arbitration Boards Repair of Tim's office chair 2. Explanation requested for Executive Director's General Expenses. Karen Giesbrecht stated General Expenses includes the following categories of expenses; personal, auto, parking and meals .

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3. Explanation requested for Miscellaneous Revenue. Karen Giesbrecht stated this amount represents the yearly interest that has accumulated in our Emergency Fund Account and which has been transferred to our General Chequing Account.

Motion Carried Karen Giesbrecht called for a motion to adopt the Audited Emergency Fund Account.

Moved by: Elaine Krieger Seconded by: Joanne Walker Motion Carried Karen Giesbrecht called for a motion to adopt the Audited Scholarship Foundation Inc. Account.

Moved by: Terry Akister Seconded by: Ed Dewhurst Motion Carried Karen Giesbrecht called for a motion to have Glen Dean appointed as the H.S.A.S. Auditor for the period October 1, 1992 to September 30, 1993.

Moved by: Ron Walsh Seconded by: Carol Cohen Motion Carried Executive Director 's Annual Report : Tim Slattery presented his report and called for a motion to adopt it as presented.

Moved by: Joanne Walker Seconded by: Lesley Chlopan Motion Carried Committee Reports:

2) reviewed the contents of the document.

3) informed the meeting that because the union has had deficits for the past two years Executive Council would be reviewing our dues structure with a view to increasing them .

4) stated the reason the dues issue was brought before the A.G.M. was for information purposes and to receive members' suggestions as to how we should deal with the deficit situation.

5) stated that based on an average salary of $18.00/hr., full time H.S.A.S. members pay .7% of gross monthly income in dues which is among the lowest dues levied by any union in Canada .

Following Karen Giesbrecht's presentation general discussion took place. Some of the comments made were as follows: Susanne Admason suggested that Executive Council proceed with examing the dues structure.

Yvonne Ounsworth suggested that if Executive Council decides to levy dues based on a percentage that they consider instituting a cap.

Members Resolutions : Terry Akister moved that the A.G.M. approve all actions undertaken

by Executive Council over the past fiscal year (October, 1991 to September, 1992) Seconded by: Ron Currie Motion Carried Adjournment: There being no further business, Lesley Chlopan moved adjournment at 5:00 p.m. Seconded by: Elaine Krieger Motion Carried Lottery Draw: The winners of the two $100.00 door prizes were: Nancy Glover a Physical Therapist at Saskatoon City Hospital and Julie Gordon a Physical Therapist at Royal University Hospital.

(a) Contract Committee Chairperson's Report: On behalf of the Negotiating Committee, Roberta Ekberg presented an oral report in which she outlined what has occurred during the eight days of meetings that have been held with the Saskatchewan Health Care Association. At the conclusion of her report she called for a motion to adopt her report as presented.

Moved by: Yvonne Ounsworth Seconded by: Marylou Guenther Motion Carried

End of Annual General Meetin.9.

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(b) Communication, Grievance, Education and Emergency Fund Committees:

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Tim Slattery presented reports on behalf of each of the above noted Committees and called for adoption of the reports as presented. Moved by: Karen Giesbrecht Seconded by: Roberta Ekberg Motion Carried Election of Executive Council Members: Secretary-Treasurer , Karen Giesbrecht, reported that one nomination per vacant position had been received; therefore, the following are elected by acclamation.

Professional Group Represented Dietitians LaboratoryTechnologists Psychologists Radiologyand Nuclear MedicineTechnologists ElliottPausJenssen/R .U.H. SocialWorkers LauraCarney/R.U.H. SpeechLanguage Pathologists& Orthoptists

Name/Hospital Michael Chan/R.G.H. BernardSchaan/R.U.H. Nahid Ahmad/R.U.H. Elaine Krieger/R.U.H.

Term of Date Oct./92-0ct./94 Oct./92-0ct./94 Oct./92-0ct./94 Oct./92-0ct./93 Oct./92-0ct./94 Oct./92-0ct./93

New Business: Discussion of the current H.S.A.S. dues structure and whether or not a change is necessary:

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"Keep in mind you 're a guest on this bench."

UPDATE ON H.S.A .S. INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATOON AND REGINA HEALTH BOARDS

Karen Giesbrecht:

Prince Albert :

1) requested members to keep confidential the information that was contained on the document entitled "1992 A.G.M . Dues Information Sheet".

(a) Long Term Care Advisory Group Now that the Prince Albert Health Board has decided to consolidate

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acute care services at Victoria Union Hospital it is beginning to address the issues surrounding Long Term Care.

To this end the P.A. Health Board has established the Long Term Care Advisory Group and the Long Term Care Working Group .

These two Committees submitted their preliminary report to the Health Board July 15, 1993. The final report is expected sometime in the Fall of 1993 . H.S.A.S. was not approached to provide representation on either committee; eventhough, the services our members provide such as Physical Therapy, Dietetic Counselling and Social Work etc. are essential for any long term care program. (b) Consolidation of Physical Therapy and Pharmacy Departments at Victoria Union Hospital The Health Board has requested H.S.A.S. to negotiate terms and conditions that will govern the consolidation of the two above named departments at Victoria Union Hosp ital. Currently both departments exist at the Holy Family and Victoria Union Hospitals.

It is the P.A. Health Board's position that H.S.A.S. members employed in a consolidated department can be assigned duties outside Victoria Union Hospital.

Regina:

(a) Consolidation of Clinical Services in Regina On April 14, 1993 the Health Board announced it's decision to consolidate acute care services at the Pasqua and Regina General Hospitals. The plan also calls for closing the Plains Health Centre as an acute care facility in five years.

On August 6, 1993 the Health Board announced it's plans for the breakdown of services that will be offered at the Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals. Preliminary plans indicate some services will be moved in the Spring of 1995 with the bulk moving in the Fall of 1998 . (b) Union-Management Meetings The Regina Health Board Union Management Committee has been meeting on a regular basis since it's inception in January, 1993.

H.S.A.S. representatives on the Committee are as follows : Roberta Ekberg - Pasqua Yvonne Ounsworth - Regina General Andrew Pedersen - Plains and Tim Slattery - H.S.A.S. Office.

Some of the issues the Committee is dealing with are as follows : 1) EAP/EFAP - A joint union management sub-committee has been established to investigate the possibility of providing a consistent EAP/EFAP program for all Health Board employees.

H.S .A.S. ' s representative on this Committee is Andrew Pedersen.

2) Out -of-scope review - Each union will be meeting with the Regina Health Board to discuss out-of-scope exclusions permitted by the certification orders in relation to current practice and proposed changes. Roberta Ekberg and Tim Slattery will represent H.S.A.S. in these discussions.

3) Itinerant Agreement - Negotiations are taking place over an agreement to govern the terms and conditions for employees who work at more than one facility on an ongoing or as needed basis.

4) Employment Security for Plains Health Centre Employees There is general agreement that the current Merger/Transfer Agreement does not provide sufficient employment security for Plains Health Centre employees. To remedy the situation several options are being considered by H.S.A.S. Two examples are as follows: (i) Permit employees of the Plains Health Centre to bump into positions at other facilities that are filled by individuals beginning their employment with the Regina Health Board on or after September 1 , 1993 or (ii) Rather than filling vacancies at other facilities on a preferential basis (As it is now first preference is given to H.S.A.S. members employed at the site of the vacancy) permit all qualified H.S.A.S . members employed by the Regina Health Board an opportunity to compete once the vacancy is posted.

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5) Creation of In-Scope Supervisory Positions In Multidisciplinary and Multi-Union Situations - H.S.A.S. raised this issue at the August 6, 1993 meeting because of the situation that has developed in M.E.D.E.C. at Regina General Hospital. It is H.S.A.S.'s position that when filling in-scope supervisory positions in multidisciplinary /multi- union units the Regina Health Board must ensure that all qualified candidates have access to the position regardless of union affiliation.

Saskatoon

(a) Committee on Abuse and Harassment In The Workplace The Saskatoon Health Board established the above noted joint Union- Management Committee in March , 1993 . H.S.A.S. acute care workers are represented by Ted Makeechak; however, ~ would also like to have an H.S.A.S. member from Rehabilitation Outreach Services representing our members who work in patients' homes. If you are interested in working on this Committee please contact the H.S.A.S. Office. The purpose of this Committee is to develop policy , procedure and program guidelines that focus on staff as the victim of abuse and harassment in the workplace for consideration by the Saskatoon Health Board.

After taking a summer break it is likely the Committee will begin it's work sometime in September. (b) Employment Security Fund In June the Saskatoon Health Board made available one million dollars to assist employees affected by downsizing . Since then Health Board Human Resources Personnel have met with Union Representatives to negotiate how this money will be used.

Two options that have been discussed are:

1) Use the money to keep employees working on a short term temporary basis who would otherwise be out of work or 2) Use the money to update and train those affected by lay off to ensure future employment.

The consensus to date is that option #2 makes the most sense.

Additional meetings will be held to determine how option #2 can be translated into action . H.S.A.S. is represented in these talks by Tim Slattery. (c) Clinical Review Panel Report In July , 1993 the Saskatoon Health Board released the above noted report. The document was prepared by nine local Physicians and provides their view on what Hospital services should look like.

At no time did the panel contact H.S.A.S. for input.

Subsequent to the report's release the Saskatoon Health Board has requested stakeholders (such as H.S.A.S.) to: 1) Submit a written response.

2) Send one ( 1) representative to a staff forum on October 6, 1993 .

Editor's note - Unfortunately the Saskatoon Health Board would not allow our members working in the various service areas such as Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Laboratory etc. to choose who they want to attend this forum. Except for our one (1) representative , Bernard Schaan, (a Laboratory Technologist at Royal University Hospital chosen by Executive Council to attend) participants are to be selected by management. Another forum the Saskatoon Health Board has established to receive feed back on the report is what they call focus groups. These focus groups will be established in several clinical areas but again partic ipation is restrictetl to those chosen by management. (so much for democracy!!)

If any H.S.A.S. member is interested in working on a written submission to the Saskatoon Health Board in response to the Clinical Review Panel Report please call the H.S.A.S. Office. (d) Merger/Transfer of Services The Saskatoon Health Board has indicated they wish to begin negotiating terms and conditions that will govern the merger/transfer of services within the Saskatoon Health District. The H.S.A.S. Bargaining Team will be responsible for these negotiations.

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(e) Re-organization of Pharmacy and Dietetic Services In response to proposed changes and those undertaken unilaterally by the Saskatoon Health Board with respect to Pharmacy and Dietetic Services meetings were held in August with H.S.A.S. Pharmacists and Dietitians employed by the three (3) Hospitals.

within a one (1) month time frame when it took Ontario four (4) years to produce regulations for toxic substances alone. It also puts into question the government's commitment to workers ie the government refuses to pay the expenses, wages, travel, meals, for any of the participants).

As a result of these meetings H.S.A.S. developed written responses whi c h were forwarded to Saskatoon Health Board Administrators Mike Gaucher - Pharmacy and Joan Smith Dietetics

The following H.S.A.S. members expressed an interest and participated in this process; Ted Makeechak and Karen Giesbrecht.

(f) Mental Health Services

In a meeting with the Honourable Ned Shillington on August 8, 1993 he told H.S.A .S. representatives Ted Makeechak and Tim Slattery that the Honourable Louise Simard's March, 1993 directive on Laboratories was written in stone.

On September 20, 1993 Saskatoon health Board representatives Pat Light, Barry Mahaffey and Jeff Waselenchuk met with H.S.A.S. representatives Nahid Ahmad, Elliott PausJenssen, Colleen Hancharuk and Tim Slattery. The purpose of the meeting was to provide H.S.A.S. with Saskatoon Health Board proposals regarding mental health services . Editor note - Since the project team process was undertaken in April/May , 1992 H.S.A.S . has not been invited to participate in any discussions surrounding the issue of mental health services .

Pat Light informed H.S.A.S. at this meeting that the provincial government has agreed with the Saskatoon Health Board's proposal to integrate mental health services but how and when this will take place has not been decided. H.S.A.S. representatives at this meeting requested our members be involved in the decision making models established to plan for and implement the integration of mental health services.

UPDATE ON H.S.A.S. INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT Labour Relations Review Committee: In August, 1992 the Department of Health announced the establishment of a Labour Relations Review Committee whose mandate was to provide the Minister of Health with recommendations on needed changes and new approaches to employee relations.

The members of this Chairperson Member Member

committee were as follows: Kurt Wetzel Professor U of S Ray Sentes Professor U of R Ron Reavley Executive Director Pioneer Village

In a strange turn of events two (2) reports were submitted to the Department of Health; one by Wetzel in April/93 and one by Sentes/Reavley in May, 1993. For reasons known only to the government the Wetzel report has been kept under lock and key and the Sentes/Reavley report has been distributed.

H.S.A.S. has provided the Minister of Health with our response to the distributed report and requested rationale as to why the other is being kept from public view.

Editor's note - In the July 3, 1993 edition of the Star Phoenix , reporter James Parker provides us some clues as to why Wetzel's report is being kept from the public. According to Parker Wetzel states: (i) most health-care organizations in the province continue to operate as rigid authoritarian hierarchies showing little regard to worker input (ii) wellness provides for community based care using a largely self-directed work force (iii) the government should encourage District Health Boards to give workers more input into decision making (iv) a standardized job classification system should be established.

Invitation from the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Branch: In July, 1993 H.S.A.S. was invited to participate on tripartite working groups (labour, employers and government). The purpose of these groups is to make recommendations to the Branch on regulations that are made pursuant to the new O.H. and S. Act. (Editor's note - Unfortunately this process appears flawed ie. these working groups are expected to do their work in four (4) full day meetings

Saskatoon Health District Laboratory Services:

That directive contained, among others, the following elements: Deinsuring of tests done in List 3 Laboratories in Saskatoon from the M.C.I. fee schedule.

Provision of global funding to the Saskatoon Health Board for the provision of Laboratory Services.

Maximize the use of existing public sector Laboratory facilities in Saskatoon with the expectation that Laboratory processing will be handled in the public sector.

The target date for implementation of the government's policy was October 1, 1993. Unfortunately H.S.A.S. has not seen any evidence that the Saskatoon Health Board has moved to maximize the use of public sector labs . In fact the S.H.B . has decided to extend fee for Service to MOS for two months. As a result a letter was forwarded to Cliff Wright September 23, 1993 requesting written responses to the following questions: 1) What initiatives has the Saskatoon Health Board undertaken to maximize the use of public sector Laboratories and 2) What plan has the Saskatoon Health Board adopted to ensure that Laboratory processing will be handled in the public sector?

No response has been received to date. For your information the Prince Albert Health Board, in response to the government's directive, has decided that all Laboratory services will be provided by the public lab located at Victoria Union Hospital. It is expected this decision will save taxpayers 1/2 million dollars.

Department of Health Establishes Committee To Develop f!ecommendations On A Labour Adjustment Strategy: In April, 1993 the Department of Health invited representat ives from various government Departments , H.S.A.S. C.U.P.E., S.E.I.U., S.G.E.U ., S.U.N., S.H.A., S.A.S.C.H. and Home Care to serve on a committee whose purpose was to provide the government with recommendations relating to a labour adjustment strategy for displaced health care workers.

Editor's note - This initiative came almost 1 1/2 years after the health reform process began. Wouldn't it have made more sense if a labour adjustment strategy were in place prior to initiating changes to health care?

Unfortunately, S.E.I.U. objected to our presence on the committee because the health care professionals in their union want H.S.A.S. to represent them . As a result, H.S.A.S. was requested by the union representatives to leave the committee. Not wanting to disrupt their work H.S.A.S. agreed to leave; however, we were given assurances by the Chairperson of the committee that we could provide our input through him and he would ensure we were kept informed of the committee's progress.

In June, 1993 the Committee made recommendations to government which were accepted. The following will provide you with the basic elements of the labour adjustment strategy: Term of the program - April 1, 1993 to March 31, 1995 Amount of moneys available - A total of 3.4 million has been allocated to the program for the period April 1, 1993 to March 31, 1994. Funding for the April 1, 1994 to March 31, 1995 term has not been announced.

Who will Administer It - A provincial Committee comprised of union and management representatives will oversee the program. At the Health District level the program will be implemented by joint union

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management committees. To date, only the Regina Health District has begun the process of establishing its joint union/management committee. H.S.A.S.'s representative will be Susanne Adamson, an Occupational Therapist at the Plains Health Centre.

Essential Elements Merger/Transfer Principles In November , 1992 H.S.A.S. along with other health care unions signed an agreement governing merger/transfers within the Regina Health District. This Regina document was used as the model to develop these principles. H.S.A.S. will be negotiating similar merger/transfer agreements in Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

Provincial Job Postings If a vacancy for a unionized position is not filled within a Health District employers must post the vacancy provincially to unionized employees in other Health Districts.

Financial Assistance To be eligible for moneys you must be laid off as a result of the health care re-structuring process. Benefits a re based on $1,000 .00 for every two (2) years of services to a maximum of $5,000.00 for a full time employee . The amount is pro-rated , based on time worked , for employees working less than full-time .

Employees may access funding as follows : An Employee Who Is Laid Off Can: a) Resign or Take Early Retirement or b) Be Placed on Recall If an employee chooses to resign or take early retirement she can apply for assistance under the following options: 1) Career Counselling - accessible over a one year period from the effective date of lay off. The employee should contact a job placement firm of her choice and have the firm contact Human Resources.

2) Tuition Reimbursement - accessible over a two year period from the effective date of lay off. The employee should contact the educational institution to obtain information regarding course material, costs, registration etc. The employee should provide this information to Human Resources.

3) Relocation Assistance - accessible over a one year period from the effective date of lay off. To be used to offset expenses caused by relocation within Saskatchewan. The employee should receive quotes from three (3) moving firms and provide the information to Human Resources.

4) Alternate Employment Assistance - accessible over a one year period from the effective date of lay off. To be used to offset interview costs , job placement costs and costs associated with establishing self- employment. The costs are reimbursed based upon receipts submitted by the employee to Human Resources.

Options 1 through 4 are limited to a maximum of $5,000.00.

5) Severance - employees who resign or retire may choose either (i) to receive severance pay of up to one (1) weeks pay per year of service, if such a benefit exists in the employee's Collective Agreement and still be eligible for items 1 through 4 above or (ii) receive enhanced severance pay which includes one (1) weeks salary for every year worked to a maximum of five (5) weeks or $3,000.00 whichever is less. This severance pay shall be in addition to any severance under the employee 's Collective Agreement. The career assistance options 1 through 4 above are not available for employees who opt for enhanced severance pay.

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2) Other health care related training. Reimbursement of tuition only.

3) Any other skill based training ie welding. Reimbursement of tuition only.

If an individual accesses assistance for training/retraining while on recall and later decides to retire or resign she may make application for the balance of the assistance that she may be approved to receive. The applicant may apply for any of the five (5) assistance options outlined above under the retirement resign options.

If a laid off employee on recall has not accessed training/retraining assistance but later decides to retire or resign she may make application for any of the five (5) assistance options outlined above under the retire resign option for the full amount of assistance she may be eligible to receive.

Notes on Program: Assistance options have time frames associated with them.

When applying for assistance on career counselling/job placement, training/retraining or alternate employment the employee must submit an application along with written verification from the career counselling agency and/or educational institution of the details and cost verification associated with the service/education desired.

If requesting alternate employment assistance the employee must submit the details including an itemized statement of expenditures associated with the alternate employment.

For further information please contact your Human Resources Department or the H.S.A.S. office.

Invitation from Lorne Calvert:

In July, 1993 H.S.A.S. received an invitation from the Associate Minister of Health to provide names of individuals to serve on the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Council. Effective August, 1993 programs prev iously offered by S.A.D .A.C. will be provided by Saskatchewan Health. To ensure continued involvement and input from the addictions community Lorne Calvert established the Council.

In response to his invitation H.S.A.S. distributed the -information to the following H.S.A.S. professiona l groups; Social Workers, Psychologists , and Pharmacists . Three H.S.A.S. members expressed an interest and their names were forwarded as directed

by Lorne Calvert.

Note - Individuals who resign or retire may apply for combinations of the five assistance options . For example: (i) an individual may apply for a combination of career counselling and tuition reimbursement or (ii) an individual who is eligible for enhanced severance of $600 .00 and eligible for overall assistance of $1,500 .00 may apply for career counselling assistance up to the amount equal to the balance of the overall assistance . In this case $900.00.

If an employee chooses to be placed on recall after being laid off she can access assistance in the form of training or retraining as follows to a maximum of $5,000.00: 1) Be trained/retrained for an identified vacant position in the health care system. Reimbursement of tuition and books only.

~ "You say it was silver, cigar-shaped and had the letters U.F.O. painted on the side?"

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LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD MATTERS Royal University Hospital Carve-Out: On May 25, 1993 the long awaited decision of the labour Relations Board over this matter was issued. Essentially, the Vice · Chairperson of the Board, John Hobbs, decided that the various Technologists applied for (St udent Radiology Tech nolog ists, Cardiac Catheter Technologists and Trainees, Respiratory Therapists , Cardiology Technologists , E.E.G. Technologists and Trainees, Perfusionists, E.M.G. Technologists, Pulmonary Function Technologists and Trainees, Student Medical laboratory Technologists and Orthopedic Technologists) when combined with the Technologists H.S.A.S. currently represents (lab oratory Technologi sts, Radiology Technologi sts and Nuclear Medicine Technologists) is an appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining. Mr. Hobbs then directed a vote be taken June 23, 1993 to determine whether the employees affected by the H.S.A.S. appli· cation wished to be represented by H.S.A.S. or S.E.1.U. Of the 78 eligible voters S.E.I.U. objected to 43 of them voting. On July 20, 1993 the Board held a hearing over S.E.I.U.'s objection and on August 12, 1993 the Board decided that all those who cast a vote on June 23, 1993 except for three individuals would have their votes counted. On August 19, 1993 the votes were counted, H.S.A.S. was successful and the Board issued an order August 31, 1993 certifying H.S.A.S. as the bargaining agent for all of the Technologists listed above.

Dispatches has provided space for our legal counsel Tom Molloy and Kevin Wilson of the law firm MacPherson, Leslie and Tyerman to provide you with their view on this case: On August 3 1, 1993 the labour Relations Board certified H.S.A.S. to represent at Royal University Hospital ("RUH") a paramedical "technical " unit compri sed of all non-degr eed paramedical professional employees at RUH, almost 3 years from the date the application was filed , in one of the most unusual cases handled by the Board.

The decision of the Board was the culmination of a long and arduous process. On November 30, 1990 H.S.A.S. which represented medical laboratory technologists, radiology technologists and nuclear medicine technologists at RUH, applied to include all remaining "technical" employees in its bargaining unit. These employees included cardiac cath technologists, respiratory therapists, cardiology technologists, E.E.G. technol ogists, perfu· sionists, E.M.G. technologists, pulmonary function technologists, student medical laboratory technologists, student radiolo· gy technologists , orthopaedic technologists and trainees for some of these classifications.

The application was of great importance to the affected employees, who had approached H.S.A.S. to be represented and who overwhelmingly supported H.S.A.S. It was of importanc e to H.S.A.S. as it represented the first time H.S.A.S. had applied to the Board to represent all ''technical" employees in one bargain· ing unit.

The main issue before the Board was whether this group of employees was an appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining. This required the Board to determine whether they shared a sufficient community of interest which defined them as a group and separated them from other employees in the hospital to justify a sepa rate bargaining unit. In 1987 H.S.A.S. obtained a landmark decision of the Board at the Plains Hospital that "professional" or degreed paramedical employees where an appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining. H.S.A.S. was seeking a similar decision from the Board relating to paramedical "technical" employees.

At RUH S.E.1.U., which represented the affected employees, strenuously objected to the application mainly because it saw the application as an erosion of its membership base of dues paying individuals.

The application was not heard until June of 1991, over six months after it was filed . H.S.A.S. requested that the Board view RUH to observe first • hand the job functions of the affect-

ed employees . In its history, the Board has only taken such views in a few isolated cases. For one and a half days the members of the Board toured RUH , following an itinerary arranged by Tim Slattery . The tour provided an excellent demonstration of the work performed by these individuals and clearly showed the community of interest held by them.

After the tour, the Board heard testimony from employees in the affected classifications. The hearing adjourned on June 7 and was set to reconvene in August of 1991. However, in the interim it was adjourned by the Board to determine whether mediation among health care unions could resolve the problem over bargaining units in the health care sector. We are not aware of any situation in the past where the Board attempted to deal with this issue by mediation. The mediation was unsuccessful and the hearing was not reconvened until February of 1993, although H.S.A.S. had been encouraging the board to deal with the mat· ter earlier.

Ron Currie, one of the founders of H.S.A.S. gave evidence relating to the background and twenty year history of H.S.A.S. Two independent experts in health care and collective bargaining, one from the University of Saskatchewan and one from Alberta, testified that the paramedical "technical" unit proposed was appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining .

S.E.I.U. then called evidence attempting to disprove this theory.

On May 25 , 1993 the Board issued a decision finding the paramedical "technical" bargaining unit applied for by H.S.A.S. to be appropriate and as indicated earlier certified H.S.A.S. on August 31, 1993 as the bargaining agent.

Thus ended a protracted and unique certification application.

H.S.A.S. now has achieved recognition from the Board that a paramedical "technical" unit can be an appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining.

St. Paul's Hospital Carve-Out:

The hearing over this matter is scheduled for November 8, 1993.

SASKATCHEWAN ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS' BENEFITS UPDATE Dental Plan: Effective July 1, 1993 dental claims for dependent children of eligible employees who no longer qualify for benefits under the provincial children's Dental Program may be submitted to the S.H.A. Dental Plan for reimbursement. This will apply to expenses incurred after June 30, 1993.

Disability Income Plan: Effective July 1, 1993 H.S.A.S. members: 1) On an unpaid leave of absence for 12 months or less can maintain D.I.P. coverage by paying both the employee and employer premium (.88% of gross regular earnings). Previously those on an unpaid leave of absence were not covered by D.I.P. 2) Who work on a casual basis are entitled to D.I.P. coverage if they work a minimum of 40% of a full time persons hours within either of two defined 6 month periods • January 1 to June 30 and July 1 to December 31 (If you qualify for Dental coverage then you should qualify for D.I.P. coverage).

H.S.A.S. Members Enrolled In the City of Saskatoon Pension Plan: H.S.A.S., S.U.N. and S.E.I.U. members employed at Saskatoon City Hospital who are currently enrolled in the City of Saskatoon

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Pension Plan have been provided an opportunity to transfer their pension coverage to the Saskatchewan Health Care Association Plan. Each union conducted a vote over this issue in September, 1993. Vote results indicate a majority of those voting voted in favor of transferring to the S.H.A. Plan. As a result, discussions, will now take place between Administrators from both Plans over implementation of the transfer.

SASKATCHEWAN UNION OF NURSES SETTLE CONTRACT

/) ( ~

In June, 1993 S.U.N. and the S.H.A. signed a memorandum of agreement which was subsequently ratified by both parties. The monetary settlement provided for in the memorandum is as follows : April 1/ 93 to March 31/94 0% April 1/94 to March 31/95 0% April 1/ 95 to March 31/96 2.5% cost of Living Adjustment (C.0.L.A.) paid April 1, 1996 C.O.L.A. shall be paid on the percentage increase that the average of the Regina and Saskatoon, all item, Consumer Price Index for February , 1996 exceeds the average of the same index for February , 1995 by more than 2 .5%. Said adjustment shall be obtained by applying the above percentage increase to the basic hourly rates in effect April 1, 1995 and shall be rounded to the nearest cent. The reading must provide a minimum of one (1) cent per hour before payment will be made. The C.O.L.A. shall be folded into general wage rates as at March 31, 1996 and be paid effective April, 1996.

H.S.A.S. SPONSORS GRIEVANCE HANDLING WORKSHOP

By Terry Akister

A grievance handling workshop was held at the University of Saskatchewan June 18 - 19 for members of Executive Council, the Grievance Committee and District Council Chairpersons.

Conducted by Professor Larry Haiven and graduate student Bob Laurie of the College of Commerce, the workshop delved into the mysteries of the grievance procedure. A short history lesson on the use of grievance procedures was used as an introduction to dealing with the specifics of the H.S.A.S. grievance procedure as set out in Article 7 of our current collective agreement. In addition to lectures , two outstanding videos were used to help explain the grievance procedure and how to best conduct the whole process.

While only seven people from H.S.A.S. were able to attend all participants feel they are better prepared to deal with grievances .

The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan would like to extend its thanks to our two fine instructors, Larry Haiven and Bob Laurie.

H.S.A.S. GRIEVANCES Nature of Grievance

RoyalUniversity andReginaGeneral Hospitals- Dietetics Canadian Dietetic Associationand Hospitalsrequire Intern Coordinatorto havea Master s Degreebut Hospital refusesto negotiatea mastersrateas per Articles3.01 and16.01 RoyalUniversity - Rehabilitation OutreachServices Policygrievance.

Failureonthe partof the Hospitalto negotiate title and ratesof payfor the classification"Rehabilit ation Assessor " as perArticle3.01 and

Status

GrievanceresolvedwhenHSAS andthe two Hospitalnegotiate additionalcompensationfor the the MastersDegreerequirement

Grievance resolvedwhenHSAS andthe Hospitalnegotiate title andrateof payfor classification

16.01

Royal University-NuclearMedicine Hospital : (1) not remittingduesfor Radiopharmacist who is performing

Grievance currently at the Govern ing Boardlevelof the

bargainingunitwork and(2) is contractingout bargainingunit work (Radiopharma cy) RoyalUniversity- Laboratory Hospitalunilaterallychangedduties andqualificationsfor a Technologist I position in the PathologyComputer Roomcontraryto Article 3.01 and 16.01

grievanceprocedure

Grievanceresolvedwhen Hospital agreedto change duties andqualifications to reflectthe entrylevelstatus of the position

Royal University- Laboratory Hospital placeda disciplinaryletteron Grievance is currentlyat the Technologist's personne l file.The DepartmentHeadlevel of the unioncontendsthe disciplinaryletter grievanceprocedure is unwarranted andthe individual concernedhasbeensingledout and treateddifferentl y from other Technologists who have beeninvolved in equivalently seriousand/or potentiallymoreseriousincidents Royal University- Laboratory Hospitalunilaterallychangedthe educational andexperiential requirementsfor theTechnologist I and II classifications in the Cytogenetics lab

Althoughno grievance filed to datediscussionswith the Hospitalaretaking place

RoyalUniversity-Rehabilitation Outreach Services Althoughno grievance filed to Hospitalunilaterallyincreased the datediscussionswith the experiential requirem ent for the Hospitalaretakingplace classificationsSocialWorkerBSW, datediscussionswith theStaffPhysical TherapistandStaffOccupat ional Therapist Saskatoon CityHospital- Dietetics SaskatoonHealthBoardbreached Grievance resolvedwhenthe Article 25 in abolishing SeniorDietitianSaskatoon HealthBoardagreed classificationby not providingproper to payindividualaffected noticenor did theyenterinto additionalmoneysowedwhich discussionswith the union priorto shouldhavebeenpaidhad theabolishment propernoticebeengiven VictoriaUnion - Regional Services PrinceAlbertHealthBoardbreached Grievance resolvedwhenthe Article 25 in abolishingSocialWorker P.A. Health Board: (1) foundand Dietitianclassificationsby not oneof thetwo affected providingsufficientnoticenordid they employmentin herprofession enter into discussionswith the union and(2) providedthe other prior to the abolishment personadditionalmoneyin lieuof noticeandtimeon the recalllist that exceeded contractprovisions ReginaGeneral- M.E.D.E.C .

ReginaHealthBoarddiscriminated againstDietitiansin not permitting themto applyfor a newlycreated inscopesupervisoryposition:Articles breached- 3, 5.01 and 16

ReginaGeneral- M.E.D.E.C. Hospitaldeniedour memberthe right to resumeemploymentin the sameor samerangeof payoccupiedpriorto the granting of her maternityleavein breachof Article9.08

Grievance resolvedwhenthe ReginaHealthBoardagreedto provideDietitiansaccessto positionin theeventit becomes vacantin the future.

In orderto achievethis; however , the positionwill needto beout- of-scope Grievance resolvedwhenperson comparablepositionandat the affectedwas providedwith employment equivalentto what sheenjoyedpriorto taking maternityleave

ReginaGeneral- Occupat ionalTherapy Thispolicy grievanceis at Hospitalhiredan Occupational Therapistin 1992 on a temporary the GoverningBoardlevel basisanddid not remitthe initiation feeandduesto the unionin breachof Article 4

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SPOT-LIGHT ON DIETITIANS H.S.A.S. represents approximately 40 professional Dietitians working in clinical and administrative positions across the province .

Training for a Dietitian includes a four year Bachelor of Science program plus a one year dietetic internship. Dietitians are licensed to practice in the province by the Saskatchewan Dietetic Association (S.D.A.).

Despite the rapid changes that will continue to occur, and despite the indifference which is so easy to slip into when it seems impossible to meaningfully influence these changes; Health Care Providers must continue to advocate for what we know is in our Patients' best interests. H.S.A .S. continues to get involved in advocating on behalf of patient care issues as well as issues affecting the well being of Health Care Providers. H.S.A .S . is more than it's Executive Director and Executive Council. It is you, our membership that are H.S.A.S. and together we can generate an effective voice to challenge the powers that be.

Today Dietitian / Nutritionists are an essential part of Saskatchewan 's Wellness Model, providing cost effective clinical and community based nutrition services in urban and rural centres across the province . In the ongoing reorganization of Saskatchewan's health care system many changes are being made to enhance cost efficiency. Dietitians play an important role in the provision of acute care services in all three levels of care .

Proper nutrition can help avoid , delay or reduce the need for hospitalization for people at risk for conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and prenatal problems. Some 30 different medical conditions have been identified as requiring nutritional intervention, but low income, lack of awareness and misinformation are barriers to good nutrition. Dietitians break down these barriers and provide the information and counselling necessary to turn nutritional science into good health.

The Continuing 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.

Our challenge today is to ensure that dietetic services continue to be available, to help improve the quality of life and reduce nutrition related health conditions for all ages.

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.

Submitted by Adele Mcvicar a Dietitian at Saskatoon City Hospital

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.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT In July of 1993, the Saskatoon District Health Board released it's Clinical Review Panel Report, which examined the redesign of Medical services in the Saskatoon Health District. Also released was a revised user friendly statement of Mission and Values. The opening mandate statement refers to "Deve loping High Quality , Sustainable Consumer - Centered District Health Services etc."

The majority of Health Care providers, somehow have a sense, that the quality of patient care is not up to the standard that was provided in the past , and is not as good as it could be. When we see the Health Boards enunciating lofty goals, many of us feel they have a hollow ring. It seems illogical that patient care can be provided at a high standard, when financial cutbacks and downsizing result in fewer service providers . The implied understanding of acute care cutbacks, was that resources would be transferred to community based outpatient and home services. The number of "hands on" care providers that have been eliminated from the acute care sector have not been correspondingly transferred to community outpatient and home based services. An increasing elderly population will also put more demands on a system which at the same time is downsizing.

Uncertainty and lack of a well directed long range plan is another factor in this overall process of change and downsizing in the health care system . This is a source of considerable worry and stress for Health Care Providers. Morale and a sense of accomplishment are pretty difficult to maintain in an environment of protracted uncertainty. Authentic caring is a cycle. If the feedback that a worker experiences, comes across as a lack of caring and concern for their well being, it can be assumed that these attitudes are in some way passed on to patients. One has to wonder if the powers that be, consider seriously the consequences and ethical responsibilities, when instituting lay-offs and terminations. The uncertainty and disruption is very stressful to the individuals involved. These individuals then have to cope with the dilemma of bumping their co- workers who are often friends. Amid all this turmoil, the patient is bound to experience the spin-off effects. It is very discouraging to see the lay-off scenario, recur every several months . If an effective long range plan was in place, a more responsible, stable scenario would be evident. Political motivation and how things look, seems to be playing as important a role in the planning process, as a lack of monies to provide service.

Respectfully submitted, Ted Makeechak

COMMITTEE REPORTS Education Fund: (Kathy Brown, Laura Carney, Ted Makeechak, Elliott PausJenssen and Tim Slattery) (a) Continuing Education Fund

The successful applicants in the May 15, 1993 lottery were as follows:

Name

Hospital

Profession

LesleyChlopan ColleenHancharuk RoxanneInch ElaineKrieger YvonneOunsworth

RoyalUniversity RoyalUniversity RoyalUniversity RoyalUniversity ReginaGeneral

SpeechLanguagePathologist OccupationalTherapist Psychologist RadiologyTechnologist PhysicalTherapist

The successful applicants in the October 1, 1993 lottery were as follows:

Name

Hos.e_ital

Profession

PenelopeDixon PennyFentiman SharonKingston JaninePossberg ShannonWilde

RoyalUniversity Royal University RoyalUniversity RoyalUniversity SaskatoonCity

Dietitian OccupationalTherapist OccupationalTherapist OccupationalTherapist PhysicalTherapist

(b) Industrial Relations Education fund This fund was established by Executive Council at it's February 19, 1992 meeting. The purpose of this fund is to encourage H.S.A.S. members to increase their knowledge of industrial relations. The sum of $1200.00 per fiscal year is available to members. Moneys are distributed on a first come first served basis to a maximum of $400.00 per member.

This fiscal year the following individuals were granted funding:

Name

Hospital

Occupation

TerryAkister KarenGiesbrecht LorraineMarquis

RoyalUniversity RoyalUniversity RoyalUniversity

Laboratory Technologist LaboratoryTechnologist SocialWorker

Applications for either the Continuing Education or Industrial Relations Education Funds can be obtained by contacting the H.S.A.S. office.

Negotiating:

(Ron Currie, Roberta Ekberg, Karen Giesbrecht, Lorraine Marquis, Yvonne Ounsworth and Tim Slattery)

Since the publication

of the last edition of Dispatches your

PAGE 10

DISPATCH

Negotiating Committee has met with the S.H.A. on the following dates: March 24- 25 Saskatoon April 14 - 15 Regina August 31, September 1 - 2 Saskatoon Additional meeting dates have been scheduled for November 1 - 2 in Regina.

Plan on attending the A.G.M . if you would like to receive an update on negotiations .

Grievance:

(Roberta Ekberg, Karen Giesbrecht, Colleen Hancharuk, Joanne Walker and Ted Makeechak)

This Committee was established at the October , 1988 A.G.M . It's major responsibilities are : 1) To ensure that H.S.A.S. handles grievances in a fair and consistent manner and 2) To decide whether a grievance should proceed to arbitration The Committee recently met to discuss the Regina General Hospital M.E.D.E.C . grievance.

H.S.A.S. SENIORITY VOTE H.S.A.S. held membership April 14, 1993 April 22, 1993 April 28, 1993

meetings as follows: - Regina - Saskatoon - Prince Albert

The purpose of these meetings was to provide H.S.A.S . members an opportunity to discuss seniority issues and determine the union's position on three scenarios .

The results of the vote were as follows: Question #1 If another union is prepared to recognize H .S.A.S. seniority in a merger/transfer situation is H.S .A.S. prepared to do the same?

81% Yes = 18% No = 1% No reply

=

Question #2 If a H.S.A.S. member working at one H.S.A.S. site applies and is the successful applicant for a posting at another H.S.A.S. site should she/he be able to maintain her/his seniority when she / he moves to her/his new position?

Yes 85% No = 15%

=

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HIGHLITES April 7, 1993: This was a special called meeting of Executive Council. The purpose was to enable Council Members to discuss seniority issues and decide what questions were to be placed before the membership at meetings to be held in April, 1993 . See heading "H.S.A.S. Seniority Vote" for further information .

May 6, 1993: Nahid Ahmad, H.S.A .S.'s representative on the S. F.A.P .

Committee at R.U.H. reported: (i) A brochure has been developed and will be distributed to employees shortly (ii) Employees using the service will pay 25% of the cost (iii) Counselling sessions will be capped at 1O (iv)Counselling costs resulting from lay offs should be covered by the Saskatoon Health Board .

In light of the Labour Relations workload at the H.S.A.S. office Executive Council passed a motion that the union begin the process of recruiting an assistant for the Executive Director.

September 15, 1993: Tim Slattery reported that: (i) C.U.P.E. representative Jim Holmes stated their union was not interested in entering into a reciprocal agreement with H.S.A.S. to recognize seniority in voluntary moves between bargaining units (ii) The Saskatoon Health Board has agreed to meet with H.S.A.S . representatives to bring us up to date on their plans for mental health services.

- Council decided that the question of representation of H.S.A.S. members on Executive Council is one that needs to be addressed at a policy conference . Rather than arbitrarily assign new groups (those coming into H .S.A.S. as a result of the H.S.A .S. R.U .H. Carve-Out) to existing Council Seats, Council decided to provide them with a new seat until such time that the issue of their representation on Council can be properly addressed. However since the Laboratory Technologist Students seemed to fit with the existing Laboratory Technologist Council Seat and Radiology Technologist Students with the Rad iology and Nuclear Medicine Technologist Seat they were assigned accordingly.

Question #3 If another union is prepared to recognize H.S.A.S. seniority in a voluntary move into their bargaining unit is H.S.A.S . prepared to do the same? = 57% Yes = 40% No = 3% No reply

As a result of this vote if any H. S.A. S. member has moved between H.S.A.S. bargaining units within a particular Health District after April 28. 1993 you may be eligible to transfer your seniority. Please contact the H.S.A.S. office at 955-3399 to discuss your particular situation.

To date no reciprocal agreements have been signed with other unions regarding movement of employees between different unions' bargaining units: however. if any H.S.A.S. member has moved into another union's bargaining unit subsequent to April 28.

1993 please contact the H.S.A.S . office at 955-3399 to discuss your situation.

LABOUR CANADA GRANT In response to an application from H.S.A.S. the federal government's Department of Labour has provided the union with a $558.00 grant to conduct a workshop for our District Council Chairpersons and Co-chairpersons. Date and location of workshop will be announced .

1993/94 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 Jeffrey Hilderman who is entering his third year of studies.

ATTENTION H.S.A.S . MEMBERS BE ON THE LOOK-OUT FOR HOMO GENERALIS Multi-skilling and Cross training are terms that refer to the training of a person to perform duties outside their area of expertise . An example of this would be a nurse trained to perform X-Rays. The

DISPATCH

PAGE 11

theory behind multi-skilling is that multi-skilled workers will be able to devote an increased percentage of their time to direct patient care dutie s and less to non direct patient care duties such as transporting patients etc.

Supposedly by reducing non direct patient care duties to a minimum , substantial personnel costs can be realized . The following illustration shows seve ral professi onals being repla ced by a multiskilled worker known as Homo Generalis: Laboratory +Respiratory+ Physical+ Radiology +Dccupationaj_Homo Technologist Therapist Therapist Technologist Therapist - Generalis Multi-skilling raise s two major questions : 1) What are the effects on patient care? and 2) What are the effects on H.S.A .S. represented professions ?

There are already situations in Alberta where Nurses are provided in- services over a two week period to learn some basic skills performed by Laboratory Technologists . This type of initiative on the part of health care management and government is an affront to the quality of professional service currently provided to the patient .

The mo st dramatic effect of multi-skill ing on H.S.A.S. members would be lay offs and the blurring of responsibilities between professions.

The issue of multi-skilling and cross-training merits further discussion and debate among H.S.A .S. members . Although we have no evidence the government will attempt lo implement this concept in Saskatchewan please inform your union office at 955 -3399 if you see any signs of Homo General is. Thanks to Hea lth Sc ie nce Association of Alberta for this.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S CORNER

By Tim Slattery Since the appointment of Health Boards in Regina, Saskatoon and Princ e Albert your uni on has fought to have front line health care professionals directly involved in the decision making models used by the Boards to plan for and implement change . Unfortunately, we have met with little success. It is clear that the N.D.P . government is not prepared to pressure Health Boards to include people such as yourselves in the decision making process . It's business as usual , with Health Care Admini strators , Managers and Phys icians making decisions about how your services are to be provided. Our participation is limited to reacting to decisions after they 've been made or providing input at various forums (many believe th ese forums are held to discuss matters that have already been decided).

With the implementation of the Wellness Model we also see evidence of a class system within the health care system . For example when the job security of the upper classes, ie . Senior Administrators , is threatened , positions are created for them to ensure they have work until alternate employment is found . When they leave the system generous severance packages are provided to ensure they have a soft landing. The Saskatoon Star Phoenix recently publi shed an article that indicated Hewitt Helmsing, former head of the S.H.A., was provided with a generous severance package (reportedly in the $300,000 .00 range) eventhough he voluntarily resigned . Contrast the treatment of the upper classes with how our members are treated, reductions in hours of work, job abolishments, lay-offs and severance packages that amount to a few weeks of pay .

Yes, the class system in health care is alive and doing quite well.

Although H.S.A.S. sees the need for health care reform we also see the need for a government that is prepared to : 1) Put health care money into direct patient care and not into the pockets of health care bureaucrats and 2) Permit front line health care professionals to choose their representatives to participate directly in the decision making models established to make decisions regarding their service areas .

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY H.S .A.S . has recently written the Occupational Health and Safety Branch expressing concern over the situation in the Histology Labs at Saskatoon City and Royal University Hospitals . Although some steps have been taken to rectify the situation our main concern has not been addressed and that is the lack of an adequate ventilation system in both labs.

Because of the current situation one Technologist has resigned and others have developed allergies and sensit ivities to the toxic substances that are in use.

Although the Saskatoon Health Board has been made aware of the poor ventilation in both labs they have yet to install systems that correct the problem . It appears that the battle between dollars and workers ' health has been won by dollars; eventhough, in their mission statement the Saskatoon Health board States: "We value and believe that workplace health is a priority for all Saskatoon District Health Board staff service units. The work environment must be free of hazards and barriers to good health ". Should you have any concerns regarding your workplace health or Safety please call the H.S.A.S office. Additionally Contact your H.S.A.S representative on the Hosp ital O.H. and S . Committee.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The Execut ive Council is the governing body that conducts the business of the Association between Annual General Meetings .

The current Council members are:

Name Ted Makeechak St. Paul's Hospital Laura Carney Royal University Hospital Orthoptists BernardSchaan Royal University Hospital Roberta Ekberg PasquaHospital ColleenHancharuk Royal UniversityHospital Elliott PausJenssen Royal University Hospital NahidAhmad Royal University Hospital Michael Chan ReginaGeneralHospital ElaineKrieger Royal University Hospital Medicine Technolog ists

Executive

GraueReeresented

President

Physical Therapists

First Vice President

SpeechLanguage Pathologists&

Vice-President Sec. Treasurer Council Member

LaboratoryTechnologists

Council Member

OccupationalTherapists

CouncilMember

Social Workers

CouncilMember

Psychologists

Council Member

Dietitians

Council Member

Radiologyand Nuclear

Pharmacists

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 liaisons between members of the Di strict Council and the Executive Council and Executive Director .

District Council Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons

PrinceAlbert: Victoria Union Hospital

Bonnie Reed

PhysicalTherapist

Ted Makeechak ShannonWilde RenateOlesko Terry Akister

PhysicalTherapist PhysicalTherapist LaboratoryTechnologist LaboratoryTechnologist

Saskatoon: St. Paul's Hospital SaskatoonCity Hospital Royal University Hospital

Regina : Plains & PasquaHospitals ReginaGeneralHospital

Don Kuntz Pharmacist(Plains) Andrew Pedersen Pharmacist(Plains) Yvonne Dunsworth Physical Therapist

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PAGE12

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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 years 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.

The current Governors are:

Ron Currie Ed Dewhurst

Profession

HDSj!ital

Pharmacist RadiologyTechnologist

Royal UniversityHospital Royal UniversityHospital

H.S.A.S. STAFF Tim Slattery Lynn Regier

Executive Director Office Assistant

H.S.A.S. REPRESENTATIVES ON HOSPITAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEES

Finance: Ed Dewhurst Karen Giesbrecht Elliott PausJenssen Bernard Schaan Tim Slattery

Grievance: Terry Akister Roberta Ekberg Karen Giesbrecht Colleen Hancharuk Joanne Walker Ted Makeechak Tim Slattery

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Merfll?flr.at large i8 ,===:,J Member at large Executive Council Member Executive Council Member, Chairperson Executive Director

-

Member at large alternate Executive Council Member Member at large Executive Council Member Member at large Executive Council Member Executive Director

Negotiating Team: Roberta Ekb~rg - Chairperson Ron Currie Karen Giesbrecht Yvonne Ounsworth Lorraine Marquis Tim Slattery

Provincial Job Action Steering: Laura Carney Michael Chan Colleen Hancharuk Elaine Krieger Elliott PausJenssen Bernard Schann

NOTE - Should you wish to participate on any of the above noted committees , please contact the H.S.A.S. office .

PrinceAlbert: Victoria Union Hospital

Bonnie Reed

PhysicalTherapist

Ted Makeechak MaureenArthur Ivy Hodgins Iris Natyshak Ron Currie

PhysicalTherapist LaboratoryTechnologist PhysicalTherapist Laboratory.Technologist Pharmacist

Saskatoon: St. Paul's Hospital SaskatoonCity Hospital RoyalUniversityHospital

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 clipping out the "change of information" form and forward it to the H.S.A.S. office.

Regina: PasquaHospital Plains HealthCentre ReginaGeneralHospital

Leah Eichorst Pharmacist ShelleyHoffman SocialWorker YvonneDunsworth Physical Therapist

Please make your health and safety concerns known to your Occupational HealthCommitteeRepresentative.

CHANGE OF INFORMATION FORM PLEASE LIST BOTH OLD INFORMATION AND NEW INFORMATION NAME:

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H.S.A.S. COMMITIEES Communication: Tim Slattery - editor Terry Akister Laura Carney Ted Makeechak Ron Walsh

Education Fund Kathy Brown Laura Carney Ted Makeechak Elliott PausJenssen Tim Slattery

ADDRESS: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PHONE NUMBER: ~~~~~~~~~~~~-

Emergency Fund: Nahid Ahmad - Chairperson Ted Makeechak Tim Slattery

ROBERTAEKBERG BOX 55 WHITE CITY, SK. SOG 580

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT:

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CLASSIFICATION : ~~~~~~~~~~~~

STATUS: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If undelivered please return to : Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan #2-3002 Louise Street Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7J 3L8 Phone : 955-3399 fT~1.)11

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