Dispatches,

NOP WELLNESS RESULTS IN MORE H.S.A.S. LAY OFFS

Since the last round of lay offs in April/May 1993 the follow­ing H.S.A.S. positions have been eliminated and the incum­bents laid off:

Hospital Saskatoon City

Royal University

Position Eliminated - Part Time Laboratory Technologist Ill

(Teaching Technologist) - Full Time Laboratory Technologist Ill

(Teaching Technologist) - Full Time Senior Pharmacist

- Full Time Radiology Technologist I

1993 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of H.S.A.S. was held Saturday October 23, 1993 at the Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon. In attendance were 45 members from Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina, two guests, the H.S.A.S. Executive Director and Office Assistant.

The session opened with a presentation by two employees of Saskatoon Chemicals Ltd. who spoke on the company's experiment with worker participation. Norm Bulmer, Unit Chairperson of the Communication Energy and Paper Workers Union, provided a union perspective and Mike Rushby, Saskatchewan Division Manager of Human Resources and Organization Development for Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd., provided management's view.

The fact that neither management or workers want a return to the old adversarial, top-down decision making days is a testimony to the experiment's success. The news of their accomplishment has resulted in Norm and Mike being in demand to speak to various groups throughout North America.

At the conclusion of their talk our speakers fielded ques­tions. This was followed by the business meeting with Ted Makeechak serving as Chairperson.

following the presentation of various reports, elections were held to fill the vacant positions on Executive Council. Immediately following adjournment of the meeting Mary­Lane Clark (a Respiratory Therapist at Royal University Hospital) and Freda Toffolo -Frost (a Speech Language Pathologist at Royal University Hospital) were drawn as the winners of the two $100.00 cash prizes.

The social held after the meeting provided members an opportunity to meet and mingle. For those of you unable to attend the A.G.M. please contact the H.S.A.S. office if you wish to review the various reports presented.

HEAL TH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF SASKATCHEWAN NEWSLETTER

MAY 1994

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ELECTION RESULTS

Group Represented Term of Office /Name/Hospital

Speech Language Pathologists and Orthoptists

Laura Carney Oct 93 - Oct 95 Saskatoon City (transferred from RUH)

Pharmacists Roberta Ekberg Oct 93 - Oct 95

Pasqua

Occupational Therapists Jason Hancock Oct 93 - Oct 95 St. Paul's

Physical Therapists

Former Incumbent /Hospital

Laura Carney Royal University

Roberta Ekberg Pasqua

Colleen Hancharuk Royal University

Ted Makeechak Oct 93 - Oct 95 Ted Makeechak St. Paul's St. Paul's

Cardiovascular Technologists and Trainees, Respiratory Therapists, Cardiology Technologists, E.E.G. Technologists and Trainees, Perfus ionists, E.M.G . Technologists, Pulmonary Function Tech nologists and Trainees and Orthopedic Technologists Mark Rosin Oct 93 - Oct 95 New Seat Royal University

Congratulations to our newly elected Council and a special thank you to out going members Elaine Krieger, Colleen Hancharuk and Bernard Schaan for the time and effort they volunteered to serve our membership.

continued on page 2

Content Highlites

Annual General Meeting ................. page 1

Health District Happenings .. .... ....... page 2

Labour Relations Board Matters ...... page 4

Committee Reports .... ...................... page 6

Grievances .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. page 7

Executive Council Highlites .... ...... .... page 8

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Dispatches has requested our new faces on Council to tell_ you a little bit about themselves and here are the results:

Dawn Senko - Radiology Technologists / Students & Nuclear Medicine Technologists

I am presently working in the Medical Imaging Department at Royal University Hospital. In particular, my days are spent imaging with the MRI scanner. Previous to MRI, I spent my evenings working on the CT (CAT) scanner. Just as I enjoy the challenge of working with, and towards new advances in imaging, so do I greet the challenge of repre­senting my co-workers and bringing forth any concerns they may have.

Mark Rosin - Cardiovascular Technologists and Trainees, Respiratory Therapists, Cardiology Technologists, E.E.G. Technologists and Trainees , Perfusionists, E.M.G. Technologists, Pulmonary Function Technologists and Trainees and Orthopedic Technologists

I graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education having done most of my study in Exercise Physiology. Following that I worked in the Saskatoon Tri Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and certified as an Exercise Specialist. Next I worked in the Hemodynamics Laboratory as a Cardiovascular Technologist for which I completed the registration exam in 1990. I then entered the University College of Cariboo/Vancouver General Hospital Cardiovascular Perfusion Technology Program and gradu­ated in March of 1993. I completed the certification exams for Clinical Perfusion in the fall of 1993. Currently I work as a Ctinical Perfusionist in the Operating Room at Royal University Hospital.

I look forward to hearing the concerns/ideas of the mem­bers I represent and I encourage them to contact me should any questions arise.

Jason Hancock - Occupational Therapists

I was born and raised in the Weyburn area. After graduating from Weyburn Comprehensive School I attended the University of Alberta Where I received my Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1993. I am presently working at St. Paul's Hospital and I look forward to speak­ing with Q.T. members regarding their concerns.

HEALTH DISTRICT HAPPENINGS

Since our last Dispatches (October 1993) here are a few of the high or shall we say low lites that have occurred in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert Health Districts. Regina:

(a) Union-Management Meetings

Representatives from the Regina District Health Board have been meeting on a regular basis with representatives from the various union (H.S.A.S., C.U.P.E., S.G.E.U. and S.U.N.) since January 1993.

H.S.A.S . has been represented at these forums by Roberta Ekberg (Pasqua), Yvonne Ounsworth (Regina General) and Andrew Pedersen (Plains). In response to a request from the majority of paramedical employees at Wascana

DISPATCH

Rehabilitation Centre H.S.A .S. made application to the Labour Relations Board in November 1993 to carve them out of the S.G.E.U. bargaining unit. S.G.E.U. has character­ized H.S.A.S.'s action as a "union raid".

As a result, at the January 14, 1994 union management meeting, Betty Pickering (S.G.E.U. representative) request­ed H.S.A.S. representatives Roberta Ekberg and Yvonne Ounsworth remove themselves from the meeting. Failure to comply, she stated, would force S.G.E.U., S.U.N . and C.U.P.E. to withdraw. Not wanting to disrupt the work of the committee Roberta and Yvonne left.

Subsequent to January 14, 1994 the Regina District Health Board has agreed to meet with H.S.A.S. representatives on a regular basis to ensure our members have input regard­ing issues impacting on them. We will also be provided min­utes and other information emanating from the union man­agement meetings we were excluded from. To date one (1) H.S.A.S./management meeting has been held with Roberta Ekberg , Yvonne Ounsworth, Andrew Pedersen and Tim Slattery in attendance. What follows is a brief description of items that have been or will be discussed and their status.

1) Filling of H.S.A .S. vacancies as per the Letter of Understanding governing merger/transfer of services -H.S.A.S. has informed the Regina Health District that H.S.A.S. members in Regina will be voting in the near future on whether vacancies should continue to be filled giving preference to H.S.A.S. members at the site of the vacancy or amended to ensure all H.S.A.S. members in the District have an opportunity to compete for vacancies once posted.

2) Itinerant Agreement - Discussions are continuing over a letter of understanding between H.S.A.S. and the Health Board that would govern the movement of employees between various sites within the District. The current draft covers irregular movement (vacation relief, sick leave relief and temporary assignments) to a maximum of four (4) weeks and on going movement which involves movement of staff between sites on a regular on going basis . H.S.A.S . members will need to ratify the Letter before it is signed.

3) Attendance Management - The Health Board has provid­ed H.S.A.S. with a copy of a draft Attendance Management Policy and Protocal. This proposal will be discussed at our next H.S.A .S./Management meeting which will likely take place in May.

4) Employee and Family Assistance Plan - The Health Board has approved an EFAP that was developed by a sub-committee of the Union-Management Committee. H.S.A.S.'s representative on the committee was Andrew Pedersen. It is hoped the Plan can be implemented by June 1, 1994. A joint Union/Management Advisory Committee will oversee the plan. H.S.A.S. will have a seat on this committee.

5) Employment Security For Plains Health Centre Employees - Discussions continue over this issue.

6) Employee Abuse Policy Development Committee - The Regina Health Board has proposed a Union/Management Committee be established to devel­op policy and protocal for the Regina Health District to address the issue of abuse between patient and employ­ee. H.S.A.S. has been invited to send a representative. Any H.S.A.S. member who has an interest in serving on

DISPATCH

this committee we encourage you to call the H.S.A.S. office collect at 955-3399.

(b)Decision/Non Decision On Laboratory Services

When the NOP came to power in 1991 it was clear that Laboratory costs were out of control. We had both a private and a public laboratory system when in reality we needed only one (1 ). In March 1993 the government seemed to make a decision in favor of the public laboratory system with a gradual phase out of the private sector. Unfortunately we underestimated the lobbying power of MOS and overes­timated the NDP's commitment to a public (not for profit) medicare system. As a result we had the govern­ment/Regina Health District announcement on March 14, 1994 which has MOS involved in providing laboratory ser­vices for a minimum of 26 months and likely longer.

Saskatoon:

(a)Committee on Abuse and Harassment In The Workplace

This joint union/management committee was struck in March 1993 with H.S.A.S . being represented by Ted Makeechak. Unfortunately with the departure of Chairperson Pat Kiovsky the committee ceased operation.

(b)Employment Security Fund

In June 1993 H.S.A.S. was informerl that the Health Board was making available one million dollars to assist employ­ees affected by downsizing. Subsequent to the announce­ment two meetings were held with union representatives over the summer to discuss how best to use these moneys.

Since then , however, no meetings have been held. In December 1993 the unions were informed by the Board that the decision over how these funds will be allocated has been put in abeyance. Editors' Note - Maybe its time for the SDHB to sit down with the unions again to discuss a use for this money.

(c)Consolidation of Rehabilitation Services At SCH

On March 28, 1994 Rehabilitation Services at RUH and Parkridge were moved to SCH. To assist in the transition H.S.A.S. signed a Letter of Understanding with the SDHB governing the movement of H.S.A.S. members (Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists) at RUH to the H.S.A.S. bargaining unit at SCH. The Letter did not include Parkridge employees as they are not unionized.

The end result was that all H.S.A.S. members working in Rehabilitation Services at RUH moved to SCH with all their seniority and benefits intact. There were no lay offs of H.S.A.S. members resulting from this consolidation.

With respect to the non-unionized Parkridge employees, H.S.A.S. informed the SDHB that:

1) Since current H.S.A.S. members were not being nega­tively impacted we would waive the posting requirement and accept Parkridge employees transferring to our bar­gaining unit to the extent positions were available.

2) All Parkridge Social Workers, Occupational and Physical Therapists moving to SCH be placed in the H.S.A.S. bar­gaining unit.

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3) Parkridge employees transferring to the H.S.A.S. bar­gaining unit will begin their employment at SCH with zero (0) seniority.

Unfortunately the SDHB wants H.S.A.S. to recognize years of service for these non-unionized employees and in contra­vention of both the Trade Union Act and our Collective Agreement refuses to place them in our bargaining unit. As a result, H.S.A.S. has filed an unfair labour practice applica­tion against the SDHB - (See Labour Relations Board Matters).

(d)Clinical Working Groups

On February 1, 1994 the SDHB informed H.S.A.S. it was establishing several Clinical Working Groups. Their purpose is to facilitate implementation of service reconfiguration. These groups are accountable to the Planning and Commissioning Project Group.

Groups are comprised of medical, management and union representatives. There was no discussion or negotiation with H.S.A.S. over their terms of reference or make up prior to establishment.

H.S.A.S. Executive Council Members (Mark Rosin, Laura Carney, Jason Hancock, Ted Makeechak and Elliott PausJenssen) and Board of Governors (Ron Currie) were requested to democratically select H.S.A.S. members to represent the union and their profession on these groups. The results are as follows:

Clinical Working Group H.S.A.S. Representative/ Profession/Hospital

1) Mental Health Services

2) Orthopedic

- Klaus Gruber/Social Worker/RUH - Cheryl Johnston/Occupational

Therapist/RUH

- Flo Wagner/Physical Therapist/SPH

- Janice Block/Physical Therapist/RUH

- Lorraine Rathgeber/Physical Therapist/SCH

3) Geriatric Assessment - Elliott PausJenssen/Social Worker/RUH

':As if we all knew where we're going."

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4) Medicine

5) Critical Care

• Curtis Yuzdepski/Physical Therapist/SPH

· Michelle Bubnick/Occupational Therapist/RUH

· Chris Grant/Respiratory Therapist/RUH

6) Medical Transition Unit · Kelly Murtland/Physical Therapist/S PH

7) Otolaryngology

8) Oncology

9) Dialysis

· Laura Carney/Speech Language Pathologist/SCH

· Elliott PausJenssen/Social Worker/RUH

· Jean Mah/Pharmacist/SPH

· Freda Toffolo-Frost/Speech Language Pathologist/RUH

• Carol Cohen/Social Worker/SCH

• Brandt Lynch/ Social Worker/RUH

Thank you to the H.S.A.S. members who agreed to partici­pate in this process.

(e) Laboratory Services

On March 11, 1994 John Malcom announced that MDS will continue to provide laboratory services in the Saskatoon Health District until March 1997. He also announced the public and private laboratory system would co-manage a hospital based production centre no later than April 1 , 1996.

When asked why MDS is not being phased out as per Louise Simard's directive in March 1993 John Malcom replied that the SDHB can provide management expertise and save the SDHB $200,000.00 a year through MDS's bulk purchasing power. Unfortunately he didn't respond when asked why the SDHB would decide to keep MDS around for a $200,000.00 saving compared to a 2 or 3 mil­lion dollar saving if they had decided to have the public sec­tor perform all laboratory processing.

Editor's Note • As in Regina the lobbying power of MDS won the day. With their decisions on laboratory services in Regina and Saskatoon NDP claims of being the defender of a publicly funded (not for profit) medicare system ring hol­low.

Prince Albert:

Laboratory Services

Unlike the Regina and Saskatoon Health Boards the P.A. Board, in August 1993, decided to save taxpayers $500,000.00 by moving lab work from the private (for profit sector) to the public laboratories. Chairperson Jan Kernahan stated: "The cost savings that are anticipated come as a result of addressing the overcapacity which exists in the current system. Our hospitals are required to maintain complete laboratory services and that cost must be paid whether they are fully utilized or not. Substantial overhead costs have been eliminated by this re-alignment."

Editor's Note · Unfortunately the Saskatoon and Regina Health Boards have not moved to maximize the use of pub­lic labs as directed by Louise Simard in March 1993. Why?

DISPATCH

LABOUR RELATIONS BOARD MATTERS St. Paul's Hospital:

In response to a request from a majority of the following group of employees at St. Paul's Hospital H.S.A.S. filed an application in November 1991 with the Labour Relations Board to represent them; Respiratory Therapists, X-Ray Technologists/Students, Laboratory Technologist/Students, E.C .G. Technologists/Trainees and Orthopedic Technologists. These professionals are currently represent­ed by the Service Employees International Union.

Hearings over this matter took place November 8, 9 and 10, 1993 in Saskatoon. Chairperson , Beth Bilson issued her decision to dismiss our application on March 3, 1994. We are shocked and disappointed that despite demonstrating majority support and a community of interest the Chairperson ruled against our application.

In her reasons for decision she states the Labour Relations Board has taken as its starting point the proposition that the largest possible bargaining unit of employees of a single employer is generally the most conducive to healthy collec­tive bargaining and industrial stability. She also made the following points:

1) The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan has not shown sufficient reason why the current configura­tion of bargaining units at St. Paul's Hospital should be altered and

2) She rejects the view the Board should proceed in the direction of establishing standard bargaining units to which particular unions would have natural jurisdictional claims and

3) She is of the view H.S.A.S . has failed to demonstrate that there are sound collective bargaining reasons to depart from the configuration of bargaining units already in place at St. Paul's Hospital.

Wascana Rehabilitation Centre:

In response to a request from the majority of the following group of health care professionals employed at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre in Regina H.S.A.S. filed an application on November 30, 1993 with the Labour Relations Board to represent them; Conditioning/Exercise Therapists, Recreation Therapists, Music Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Prosthetists, Prosthetic Technicians, Prosthetic Trainees, Orthotists, Orthotic Technicians, Orthotic Trainees, Social Workers, Dietitians, Pharmacists, Speech Language Pathologists, Psychologists, Radiology Technologists, Laboratory Technologists, Audiologists, Psychometricians and Vocational Coordinators. These pro­fessionals are currently represented by the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union.

Hearings over this matter have taken place in Regina March 10, 1994 and April 14, 1994. Additional hearing dates are scheduled for May 24 and 27, 1994.

Saskatoon City Hospital:

In response to a request from the majority of the following group of health care professionals employed at Saskatoon City Hospital (SCH), H.S.A.S. filed an application November 30, 1993 with the Labour Relations Board to represent them; Speech Language Pathologists, Recreation Therapists, Psychologists and Orthoptists.

DISPATCH

The Speech Language Pathologists and Recreation Therapists are currently represented by S.E.I.U. while the Psychologists are not represented by any union. The Orthoptists were transferred December 1993 from our bar­gaining unit at Royal University Hospital to Saskatoon City Hospital.

Saskatoon District Health Board:

On April 15, 1994 H.S.A.S. filed an unfair labour practice application with the Labour Relations Board against the Saskatoon District Health Board for their failure to place Social Workers , Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists in our bargaining unit at SCH after transferring them from Parkridge on March 28, 1994.

Roya l University Hospita l:

In response to a request from a majority of the following health care professionals employed at Royal University Hospital who were represented by the Service Employees International Union H.S.A.S. filed an application November 30, 1990 with the Labour Relations Board (L.R.B.) to repre­sent them; Student Radiology Technologists, Cardiovascular 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.

On August 31, 1993 the L.R.B. certified H.S.A.S. to repre­sent the group applied for; however, on October 4, 1993 S.E.I.U. filed an application with the Labour Relations Board requesting it to reconsider its August 31, 1993 decision. The hearing over this matter took place December 17, 1993. On February 3, 1994 the L.R.B. issued an order dis­missing S.E.1.U.'s application.

On December 1, 1993 S.E.I.U. filed another application with the Labour Relations Board to represent all of the Technologists H.S.A.S. had successfully carved out August 31, 1993 with the exception of the Laboratory and X-Ray Students.

No date has been established by the L.R.B. to hear this application.

Parkridge Centre:

On January 20, 1994 the Service Employees International Union filed an application to represent the following group of unrepresented health care professionals employed at Parkridge Centre; Social Workers, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Recreation Therapists and Pastoral Care Workers.

In response to this application by S.E.I.U. H.S.A.S. filed an application February 17, 1994 with the Labour Relations Board for intervenor status. S.E.I.U. strenuously objected; however, on March 2, 1994 the L.R.B. granted H.S.A.S.'s application.

No hearing date has been established by the Board to hear S.E.1.U.'s original application.

Editors Note - this particular case is of interest as it marks two (2) firsts:

1) It is the first time the Saskatoon District Health Board has decided to intervene in a certification application. Normally they take a neutral position; however, in this

PAGES

instance they allege the unit applied for is inappropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining and

2) It is the first time S.E.1.U. has sanctioned a paramedical bargaining unit. For over twenty (20) years they have opposed H.S.A.S. in our attempts to create paramedical bargaining units in the health care industry. In fact up until now S.E.I.U.'s position has been that not even nurs­es should have a separate bargaining unit but like paramedicals should be part of a larger industrial unit.

READ THE FOLLOWING NEWSPAPER CLIPPING FROM TEL AVIV IF YOU

THINK YOU HAD A BAD DAV

An Israeli housewife's fight with a stubborn cockroach land­ed her husband in hospital with burns, a broken pelvis and broken ribs, the Jerusalem Post newspaper reported Thursday.

The woman, frightened by the insect when she found it in their living room, stepped on it, threw it in a toilet and sprayed a full can of insecticide on it when it refused to die.

Her husband came home from work, went to the toilet and lit a cigarette . When he threw the cigarette butt into the bowl, the insecticide fumes ignited, "seriously burning his sensitive parts," the Post wrote.

When paramedics were called to the home in Tel Aviv, they laughed so uncontrollably when they learned what had hap­pened that they dropped the stretcher down the stairs, causing the unidentified man further injury.

SPOT-LIGHT ON CLINICAL PERFUSIONISTS

The following was submitted by Mark Rosin, a Clinical Perfusionist at Royal University Hospital. Mark serves as the Executive Council representative for; Cardiovascular Technologists and Trainees, Respiratory Therapists, Cardiology Technologists, E.E.G. Technologists and Trainees, Perfusionists, E.M.G. Technologists, Pulmonary Function Technologists and Trainees, and Orthopedic Technologists.

A clinical Perfusionist is an allied health care professional qualified by academic and clinical education, who operates extra corporeal circulation equipment during surgical situa­tions where it is necessary to support or temporarily replace the patient's cardiovascular and/or respiratory function.

A Perfusionist is an integral member of the surgical team responsible for the care of the open heart patient. The Perfusionist operates the heart-lung machine during open heart surgery and is responsible for the proper maintenance and protection of the patient's cardiopulmonary function during surgery. In addition to this, the Perfusionist is responsible for the selection and use of the appropriate equipment and techniques required for the surgery to be performed. The Perfusionist is trained to conduct extra cor­poreal circulation and to ensure the safe management of physiologic functions by maintaining and monitoring the necessary variables. Additionally, the Perfusionist is trained/educated in the administration of blood products and anesthetic agents or drugs through the heart-lung machine.

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Various techniques such as hypothermia and hemodilution are also employed by the Perfusionist during open heart surgery.

Perfusion procedures involve specialized instrumentation and/or advanced life support techniques and may include a variety of related functions . These techniques include ven­tricular assist devices, total artificial hearts, intra-aortic bal­loon pumping, heart, lung and heart and lung transplanta­tion, liver transplantation , cell saving (cell washing), cardio pulmonary support and extra corporeal membrane oxy­genation .

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Education Fund: (Nahid Ahmad, Laura Carney, Ted Makeechak, Elliott PausJenssen and Tim Slattery)

(a) Continuing Education Fund

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.

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, 1993 lottery were as follows:

Name Hose ital .Profession Nahid Ahmad RUH Psychologist Lesley Chlopan RUH Speech Language

Pathologist Cindy Placatka RUH Dietitian David Steeg RUH Radiology Technologist Karen Wood SCH Dietitian

(b)lndustrial 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: Terry Akister/Royal University Hospital/Laboratory Technologist and Karen Giesbrecht/Royal University Hospital/Laboratory Technologist.

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

DISPATCH

Since the October 1993 edition of Dispatches the H.S.A.S. Bargaining Team has met with S.A.H.O. as follows: November 1 and 2, 1993 - Regina January 25 and 26, 1994 - Saskatoon February 21 and 22, 1994 - Regina February 28 and March 1, 1994 - Saskatoon May 12 and 13, 1994 - Regina

1) Why are negotiations taking so long to complete?

The answer to that is two fold (1) Traditionally , H.S.A.S. has not settled until negotiations with the larger health care unions have been completed. This round of bar­gaining took until January, 1994 for these unions to com­plete their negotiations . (2) The S.A.H.O. Bargaining Team has had a major turnover in personnel. For exam­ple , we are now breaking in their third (3rd) ch ief spokesperson. Of their or iginal six (6) members when we began bargaining in May 1992, only two (2) remain.

2) Has anything been accomplished at the bargaining table?

Despite the difficult bargaining climate the H.S .A.S. Bargaining Team has accomplished a great deal. For example new language has been agreed to covering such issues as: seniority; various leaves of absence including compass ionate , serious illness , maternity , adoption, parental and paternity; shift premium; posting and filling of vacancies; lay off and work resumption pro­tocal ; and letter of appointment for part time employees. Please note that any memorandum of agreement signed by the Negotiating Team must be ratified by the mem­bership of H.S.A.S. before it becomes pa rt of ou r Collective Agreement.

3) What is outstanding and when will negotiations be com­pleted?

On May 12 and 13 in Regina all outstanding issues were settled except for the following:

1. Language governing scheduling of work.

2. Committment from S.A.H.O. to undertake a review of our classificat ion system to determine where modifi­cations are required.

3. Special wage adjustments over and above the gener-al salary increase.

The Bargaining Team is hopeful a memorandum of agree­ment will be signed June 17, 1994 with ratification votes to be held soon thereafter.

Grievance: (Laura Carney , Karen Giesbrecht , Ted Makeechak , Dawn Senko and Tim Slattery)

On January 17, 1994 the Committee met to discuss out­standing grievances. It will meet again prior to the next Executive Council meeting on May 25, 1994.

This committee was established at the October , 1988 A.G.M. It's major responsibilities are:

1) To ensure H.S.A.S . handles grievances in a fair and consistent manner and

2) To decide whether a grievance should proceed to arbi­tration.

Selection: (Laura Carney, Ron Currie, Ed Dewhurst , Ted Makeechak, Bernard Schaan and Tim Slattery)

DISPATCH

At its May 6, 1993 meeting Executive Council approved a motion to recruit a Labour Relations Officer to work with the Executive Director on a temporary one (1) year term basis. Subsequent to this the Selection Committee was chosen by Council and directed to develop a position description, divi­sion of duties and a draft ad for placement in the Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert newspapers.

At its January 19, 1994 meeting Executive Council approved the ad and directed Nahid Ahmad, Ron Currie, Ed Dewhurst, Roberta Ekberg and Tim Slattery interview can­didates and recommend one to Council for hiring .

Ads were placed in the three (3) newspapers February 5, 1994 . the Interview Committee developed a short list of candidates and interviewed them on April 13 , 1994. Discussions are now taking place with the candidate select­ed.

't , . • ..,;,:., ..... -:~_;;- .. ~~~

"But on the brighter side, in the even(ofa fire you may all be fireproof."

H.S.A.S. GRIEVANCES

Nature of Grievance

Royal University/Nuclear Medicine Hospital: (1) not remitting dues for Radiopharmacist who is performing bargaining unit work and (2) is contracting out bargaining unit work Articles breached 2.01, 3.01, 4.02 and 14.01, 16.05

Royal University/Laboratory

Status

Waiting the appointment of an arbitrator

Hospital placed a disciplinary letter At Department Head level on Technologist's personnel file. The of grievance procedure union contends the disciplinary letter is unwarranted and the individual concerned has been singled out and treated differently from other Technologists who have been involved in equivalently serious and/or potentially more serious incidents

Royal University/Laboratory Hospital unilaterally changed the educational and experiential requirements for the Technologist I and 11 classifications in the Cytogenetics Lab Articles breached 3.01 and 16.01

Royal University/Radiology Hospital: (1) improperly laid off Radiology Technologist (2) discriminated against Radiology Technologist by denying the right to exercise seniority Articles breached 5.01, 20 and 24.01

Regina General/Occupational Therapy Hospital hired an Occupational Therapist in ~ 992 on a temporary basis and t:!id not remit initiation fee and dues as per Article 4

Plains Health Centre/Pharmacy Hospital failed to: (1) negotiate title and rate of pay for new classification entitled Clinical Assistant (2) Post the vacancy for Clinical Assistant Articles breached 3.01 and 16

POSSIBLE GRIEVANCES

Nature of Grievance

Saskatoon City/Opthamology Duties and responsibilities for in scope administrative O rthoptist altered. Saskatoon District Health Board has obligation under Articles 3.01 and 16.01 to negotiate title and rate of pay

Royal University/Patient Education Hospital unilaterally changed educational and experiential requirements for Staff Dietitians working in Diabetes Education in breach of Article 3.01 and 16.01

PAGE 7

Currently at the Governing Board level of the grievance procedure

Union has requested grievance be expedited by hearing it at the Governing Board level

Grievance resolved when Regina District Health Board agreed to pay monies owed on a without prejudice basis

Currently at the Department Head level

Status

Saskatoon District Health Board provided written notice to begin negotiations

Saskatoon District Health board provided written notice to begin negotiations

Royal University/Kinsmen Children's Centre Hospital unilaterally changed job Letter written to the description for the Senior Saskatoon District Occupational Therapist at the Health Board requesting Kinsmen Children's Centre. As clarification on the written it would seem an status of Occupational Occupational Therapist with a Therapists with diploma would not qualify to diplomas work in the position

Royal University/Laboratory Saskatoon District Health Board plans to eliminate chief and Section chief classifications but has not discussed plan with the union

Regina General/Nutrition and Services Intern Coordinator vacancy was posted as full time but filled on a part time basis without being posted as part time

Letter written to the Saskatoon District Health Board requesting a meeting to discuss issue

Regina Health District notified of the union's concern and discussions are underway over the issue

PAGES

S.U.N. SUCCESSFULLY GRIEVES SICK LEAVE POLICY

In July 1990 Victoria Union Hospital in Prince Albert imple­mented a sick leave policy. In response S.U.N. filed a policy grievance.

The policy similar to what other hospitals have in place requires an employee who has reported sick on four (4) occasions during the previous twelve month period to meet with their supervisor. The employee is advised in this meet­ing that she will require a medical certificate on subsequent sick leave occurrences etc. etc.

In his award, arbitrator Martel Popescu!, declared the policy null and void as it was contrary to the Collective Agreement. He found the policy contrary to the Collective Agreement for two major reasons: (1) It is unreasonable and (2) It offends specific articles in the Collective Agreement.

In his award Mr. Popescu! also made the following points regarding the policy:

1) It equates suspected abuse solely upon the happening of four occurrences of absenteeism within a 12 month period. It thereafter affects the future utilization of sick leave benefits by employees without considering whether or not subsequent future absence is or is not legitimate.

2) While a supervisor may monitor sick leave usage, she/he should not apply sanctions where it is determined that the usage was justifiable and legitimate. It is the lack of this flexibility and the non-discretionary nature of the policy together with the intermingling of innocent absen­teeism with illegitimate usage which results in the policy being found to be in contravention of the Collective Agreement.

Editor's Note - As a result of this award any H.S.A.S. mem­ber who has received a letter emanating from a similar sick leave policy can request it be removed from their files. If the Hospital refuses your request please call the H.S.A.S. office.

UP-COMING EVENTS - lnterprovincial Meeting will be held June 1 - 3, 1994 in

Toronto. This is an annual meeting of our sister unions from across Canada. Roberta Ekberg and Tim Slattery will represent H .S.A .S. We hope to host the 1995 I nterprovincial.

- H.S.A.S. Annual General Meeting will be held Saturday October 22, 1994.

- Executive Council will hold its next meeting Wednesday May 25, 1994.

- All Trade Unionists are invited to hear Bob White, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, speak at 7:30 p.m., Sunday May 29 in the Exeter Room, Marquis Hall on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Mr. White is the keynote speaker for the Labour Studies Programme Convocation.

- Tune in to CBC radio programme "Ideas" 9:05 p.m. May 19, 26 and June 2, 1994 for a three part series entitled "Medicare at a Crossroads."

DISPATCH

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HIGHLITES October 23, 1993:

- Tim Slattery reported: (1) He conducted a secret ballot vote for H.S.A.S. members employed at Saskatoon City Hospital who were enrolled in the City of Saskatoon Pension Plan (2) Over 90% of those voting voted in favor of transferring their pension to the S.A.H.O. plan (3) Similar out comes were experienced in the votes held by other unions at SCH (4) As a result discussions are now taking place to transfer all SCH employees to the S.A.H.O. pension plan.

December 8, 1993:

- After increasing the amount planned for legal counsel expenses Executive Council approved the budget propos­al put forward by the Finance Committee for the fiscal year October 1, 1993 to September 30, 1994.

-Tim Slattery reported that Ted Makeechak, Elliott PausJenssen, Jason Hancock, Laura Carney and himself met with paramedicals from Parkridge Centre on December 1, 1993. The group which is not represented requested the meeting to learn about our union.

- Executive Council decided if H.S.A.S. were certified to represent the Parkridge paramedicals our union would: (1) Recognize their years of service at Parkridge if they remained working at Parkridge (2) If they transferred to another H.S.A.S. bargaining unit they could not use their seniority for five (5) years and would start at the receiving facility as if a new employee.

- Executive Council elected the following Executive Officers: President - Roberta Ekberg First Vice-President - Mark Rosin Secretary Treasurer - Bernard Schaan Additionally, seats on the various committees were filled.

January 19, 1994:

- Executive Council approved a motion to provide Tim Slattery with $422.65 to attend a seminar on Discipline and Discharge. '

- Executive Council acknowledged the need for both a Policy and Constitution Conference and requested Tim Slattery to begin the process of gathering background information for both of them.

- Council decided that due to the volume of phone calls, faxes and possibility of another person being hired the H.S.A.S. office requires additional phone lines.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

A) Histology Lab· Royal University Hospital:

In May 1993 the Occupational Health and Safety Branch inspected the Histology Lab at RUH and deemed both the ventilation and hooding to be inadequate. Several H.S.A.S. members working in this area have developed health con­cerns which we think are work related. In March 1994 Allan Buckley assured the union the planning stage is underway and that their estimated completion date for renovations in Histology is June 30, 1994.

DISPATCH

B) April 28 - A Labour Holy Day: -taken from an article by Bob Sass a professor of Industrial Relations at the U of S.

April 28 is the day on which workers throughout Canada formally recall workers killed, injured or disabled on the job during the past year . The day was chosen by the affiliates of the Canadian Labour Congress because Canada 's first workers ' compensation legislation came into force that day in 1914. The day was necessitated because work place injury and illness is the third largest killer in Canada .

In Canada between 1972 and 1981 there were 10,000 workplace fatalities, and six disabling injuries every year for each 100 employees employed. During this period there have also been increases in work related concerns , heart disease , reproductive hazards etc.

We do know , however, that statistics from Workers ' Compensation Boards under estimate the magnitude of the industrial disease problem and conceal more than they reveal.

Canada has a poor record among the Western market economy countries with respect to the frequency and sever­ity rate of work place illness and injury . April 28 recognizes the dimensions of industrial injury and disease and the magnitude of the problem which continues to be low on the political agenda . ·

The situation in some cases , is so bad that the victims of unsafe conditions and chemical pollutants are opposed to reforms and costly improvements for fear of los ing their jobs. Why do we accept this state of affairs? Perhaps the lack of freedom and democracy in our work places has cre­ated a servile and subordinate mentality . Or, the need for greater worker rights and freedom comes only after other much more pressing needs are met , such as economic security and continued employment.

April 28 reminds us of our present inability to prevent injury, illness , punishments and humiliations , and our sincerity in promoting a truly human work environment so that work restores the worker to the flow of life, rather than removing her from it. This is the attitude that the day yearns , in time , to create. It challenges us to be morally grounded and socially committed . Any situation which abases or humili­ates a human being must be resisted.

The poet Coleridge appropriately wrote ''They die so slowly that none call it murder''. Perhaps our compromise with little abuses and tyrannies which abuse wo rkers, day after day , build into a large evil in which we are ultimately helpless to resist. April 28 helps us remember those who have fallen and reminds us to recommit efforts to make work safe once and for all and for all time .

PAGE9

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

The Executive Counc il is the governing body that conducts the business of the Union between Annual General Meetings . The current Council members are:

Name/Hospital Executive Group Represented Roberta Ekberg President Pharmacists Pasqua

Mark Rosin First Vice Cardiology Technologists, Royal University President Cardiovascular Technologists

and Trainees, E.E.G. Technologists and Trainees, E.M.G. Technologists, Orthopedic Technologists, Pulmonary Function Technologists and

Trainees, Perfusionists, Respiratory Therapists

* Karen Giesbrecht Council Member Laboratory Technologists Royal University and Students

Nahid Ahmad Council Member Psychologists Royal University

Laura Carney Council Member Speech Language Saskatoon City Pathologists & Orthoptists

Michael Chan Council Member Dietitians Regina General

Jason Hancock Council Member Occupational Therapists St. Paul's

Ted Makeechak Council Member Physical Therapists St. Paul's

Elliott PausJenssen Council Member Social Workers Royal University

Dawn Senko Council Member Nuclear Medicine Royal University Technologists,

Radiology Technologists and Students

* Karen Giesb recht wi ll complete the term (October 92 -Octobe r 94) of Bernard Schaan who resigned February 4, 1994.

PAGE10

DISTRICT COUNCIL CHAIR AND CO-CHAIRPERSONS

To ensure an H.S.A.S. physical presence in all Hospitals, the Union provides for District Council Chairpersons who serve as liaisons between members of the District Council and the Executive Council and Executive Director. The current District Council Chairpersons and Co­Chairpersons are:

Prince Albert: Victoria Union Hospital

Saskatoon: St. Paul's Hospital Saskatoon City Hospital

Bonnie Reed

Ted Makeechak Shannon Wilde Renate Olesko

Royal University Hospital *Karen Giesbrecht

Regina:

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Physical Therapist Laboratory Technologist Laboratory Technologist

Plains & Pasqua Hospitals Don Kuntz Pharmacist (Plains) Andrew Pedersen Pharmacist (Plains)

Regina General Hospital Yvonne Dunsworth Physical Therapist

* Until an election is held Karen Giesbrecht has agreed to replace Terry Akister who resigned October 20, 1993.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Board of Governors provide guidance and counsel to the Executive Council on all matters within the administra­tion of the Union. 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:

Name Ron Currie Ed Dewhurst

Profession Hospital Pharmacist Royal University Hospital Radiology Technologist Royal University Hospital

DISPATCH

H.S.A.S. STAFF

Tim Slattery - Executive Director Lynn Regier - Office Assistant

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

COMMITTEES

Prince Albert: Victoria Union Hospital Bonnie Reed

Saskatoon: St. Paul's Hospital Ted Makeechak Saskatoon City Hospital Maureen Arthur

Ivy Hodgins Royal University Hospital Iris Natyshak

Ron Currie

Regina:

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Laboratory Technologist Physical Therapist Laboratory Technologist Pharmacist

Pasqua Hospital Leah Eichorst Pharmacist Plains Health Centre Regina General Hospital

Shelley Hoffman Social Worker Yvonne Dunsworth Physical Therapist

Please make your health and safety concerns known to your Occupational Health Committee Representative.

DISPATCH

H.S.A.S. COMMITTEES

Communication: Tim Slattery - editor Laura Carney Ted Makeechak

Education Fund: Nahid Ahmad Laura Carney Ted Makeechak Elliott PausJenssen Tim Slattery

Emergency Fund: Nahid Ahmad - Chairperson Ted Makeechak Tim Slattery

Finance: Ed Dewhurst Karen Giesbrecht Elliott PausJenssen Tim Slattery

Grievance: Laura Carney Karen Giesbrecht Ted Makeechak Mark Rosin Dawn Senko Joanne Walker Tim Slattery

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

Provincial Job Action Steering : Nahid Ahmad Laura Carney Michael Chan Jason Hancock Ted Makeechak Elliott PausJenssen Mark Rosin Dawn Senko

Member at large Member at large Executive Council Member Executive Director

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

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

PAGE 11

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 cit Saskatchewan, a union of health care professionals .

PAGE12

If undelivered please return to : Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan #2-3002 Louise Street Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 57 J 3L8 Phone: 955-3399 ·

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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 clipping 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: ------ --------~

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