Volume 39, Number 4

United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletinDecember 2015 UNA AGM: Tributes & respect for nurses PAGES 3-5

AHS Changes: CEO resigns as board governance returns PAGES 6-8 Immunization Push: PAGE 15

Carly Widmeyer and Angela Sherman from

445 UNA Local 1 at the Peter Lougheed Centre United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 2 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4

Published by the United Nurses of Alberta four times a year for our members 2016 – a year of hope and Editor: David Climenhaga Production: Kelly de Jong a perfect moment to renew Provincial Office 700-11150 Jasper Avenue NW our commitment to nursing Edmonton AB T5K 0C7 p 780-425-1025/1-800-252-9394 By Heather Smith f 780-426-2093 President, United Nurses of Alberta

Southern Alberta Regional Office 300-1422 Kensington Road NW FOR members of United Nurses of Alberta and anyone concerned about the future of Calgary AB T2N 3P9 p 403-237-2377/1-800-661-1802 public health care in Canada, 2016 should be a year of hope! f 403-263-2908 Much changed in 2015. www.una.ab.ca [email protected] In May, a Conservative Government in Edmonton that had attacked the workplace facebook.com/unitednurses twitter.com/unitednurses rights and retirement security of public employees was swept away by voters who replaced

Executive Board it with a majority New Democratic government. Premier Rachel Notley is clearly com-

President: Heather Smith mitted to the preservation and renewal of public health care and the rights of working H: 780-437-2477 W: 780-425-1025 people. At Alberta Health Services, we have a new board committed, and we will soon 1st Vice-President: Jane Sustrik C: 780-915-8367 W: 780-425-1025 have a new CEO. 2nd Vice-President: Daphne Wallace C: 780-991-4036 W: 780-425-1025 or In October, Canadians turned the Conservative government of Stephen Harper out 403-237-2377 Secretary/Treasurer: Karen Craik of office, replacing it with a Liberal majority. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, too, has C: 403-510-5163 W: 780-425-1025 or 403-237-2377 committed his government to the protection and enhancement of public health care from

North District: Roxann Dreger  coast to coast. He moved quickly, summoning Canadian premiers to their first meeting Susan Gallivan with the federal government since 2009, acting to repeal anti-labour legislation enacted North Central District: Terri Barr  Teresa Caldwell  Jennifer Castro  by the Conservatives, and, for the first time since John Diefenbaker was PM, addressing Susan Coleman  Christina Doktor  Heidi Gould  Jenna Knight  the Canadian Labour Congress. Karen Kuprys For Alberta nurses, the last few years have been tough years, and the first months of Central District: Dianne McInroy  Sandra Zak  Wanda Zimmerman 2016 is the time for us to renew out commitment to health care, revitalize our nursing South Central District: Eyituoyo Abati profession and re-energize our effort to improve and extend public health care, not just  Marie Aitken  Amanda Bornholdt Kathy Bouwmeester  Marie Corns  hold fast to what we have.  JoAnne Rhodes  Ken Ewanchuck

South District: Sharon Gurr  The early months of 2016 are an auspicious time for UNA members to renew their John Terry pride in our profession, and our commitment to it, by wearing white in our workplaces. Directors UNA will be working with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta to Labour Relations: emphasize the critical role played by registered nurses in health care. David Harrigan

Finance and Administrative Services: We have much to feel thankful for. It is time to recommit ourselves to building a better Darlene Rathgeber future for nursing in Alberta and Canada! Information Systems: Andrew Johnson In Solidarity,

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40064422 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Heather Smith, President, UNA UNITED NURSES OF ALBERTA 700-11150 JASPER AVENUE NW EDMONTON AB T5K OC7 United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 3 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4

UNA’S AGM SUMMED UP: tributes for nurses’ work, welcome respect from Alberta’s government

UNA Secretary/Treasurer Karen Craik, First Vice-President Jane Sustrik, keynote speaker Stephen Lewis, President Heather Smith, and Second Vice-President Daphne Wallace.

NURSES belong to the most important profession on the planet. That message was at the heart of keynote remarks by Stephen Lewis, former UN Special Envoy for HIV/ AIDS in Africa and former leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, to the 38th Annual General Meeting of the United Nurses of Alberta in October. Meeting from October 27-29 at Edmonton’s EXPO Centre, more than 900 UNA members, guests, staff and associate members heard Lewis extol the work done by nurses, and his encouragement for them to “use your voices and your collective strength to make demands that are insistent and reasonable. Because that’s

the way we improve the human condition.” continued on page 4 United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 4 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4

CFNU President Linda Silas

continued from page 3 Lewis, a vigorous 78, described government, elected on May 5, some of the tragic scenes he had telling the elected delegates of UNA’s observed in Africa, wrought by the more than 30,000 members that, “for HIV/AIDS crisis, and, citing the the first time, you have a government divisions in our world and the work that is truly committed to health nurses do to heal them, asked: “How care. would it be possible to hold the hu- “Preservation of public health care man family together without nurses?” is in our DNA,” she said of the NDP Other speakers included Alberta government. She also pledged the Health Minister Sarah Hoffman, government’s commitment to the Municipal Affairs Minister and legal rights of working people. former UNA local president Danielle Larivee, a public health nurse in Larivee, Canadian Federation of North Central Alberta until she ran Nurses Union President Linda for the NDP in the May 5 election Silas, Alberta Federation of and was elected the MLA for Lesser face of a downturn in revenues from Labour President Gil McGowan Slave Lake, had been appointed to resource royalties. and CARNA President Shannon Premier Rachel Notley’s cabinet as Silas reminded UNA members of Spenceley. municipal affairs minister the week the need for nursing organizations Hoffman brought a welcome before the AGM. to stay focused on the mission of message of respect and partnership “If it wasn’t for the United Nurses ensuring that policy makers hear from Alberta’s New Democratic of Alberta, I wouldn’t be here,” she their voice for public health care, as told the delegates, thanking the happened during the recent federal union and its leadership for its com- election campaign thanks to CFNU’s mitment to advocacy for nurses and effective earned media and social me- health care, which she said was the dia health care advocacy program. inspiration of her political career. Spenceley of the College and “I’m so glad I’m not sitting in my Association of Registered Nurses of office wondering where the cuts were Alberta advised the members that going to come and who was going registered nurses “are the key to fix- to be gone,” she added, a reference ing the health care system … we are to the NDP’s policy of continuing to everywhere.” support such essential public services as health care and education in the United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 5 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 New terms set for Executive Board members

UNA welcomed some new members, and welcomed some members back, to its ranks of Executive Officers and District Representatives at the union’s 2015 AGM. Jane Sustrik returned as First Vice-President, and Daphne Wallace as Second VP. Both were acclaimed. They rejoin President Heather Smith and Secretary-Treasurer Karen Craik, whose current two-year terms will expire next year. Other District Representative members of the UNA Executive Board, and the expiration dates of their terms were as follows:

UNA Secretary/Treasurer Karen Craik, First Vice- North District President Jane Sustrik, Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman, President Heather Smith, and Susan Gallivan, 2017; Roxann Dreger, 2016 Second Vice-President Daphne Wallace. North Central District Terri Barr, Teresa Caldwell, Jennifer Knight, Jennifer Castro, 2017; Susan Coleman, Heidi Gould, Karen Kuprys, Christina Doktor, 2016

Central District Dianne McInroy, 2017; Sandra Zak, Wanda Zimmerman, 2016

South Central District Amanda Bornholdt, Eyituoyo Abati, Ken Ewanchuk , 2017; Jo Rhodes, Marie Corns, Kathy Bouwmeester, Marie Aitken, 2016.

South District Sharon Gurr, 2017; John Terry, 2016 UNA also bade farewell to Executive Board members Denise Palmer, South Central District, who served 18 years on the board; Maxine Braun, South District, 10 years; and Leslie Perry, South Central District, two years. “We are deeply appreciative of the commitment to UNA these board members have shown over many years, and aware of the huge contribu- tions they have made to our union and to the labour movement through their work with UNA,” said Heather Smith. United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 6 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 New AHS board appointed by NDP started work on November 27

AFTER Alberta Health Services care delivery and governance that’s Hoffman said the new board’s went without a board for two years, needed to strengthen and stabilize members will be compensated for Health Minister Sarah Hoffman the health system,” Hoffman said in their work, but at a lower rate than announced in October the NDP her October announcement. the previous board. Government was putting together AHS had been without a Chair Linda Hughes, a respect- a new board to govern the prov- board since June 2013, when the ed former publisher of the Edmonton ince-wide health care provider. Progressive Conservative health Journal and University of Alberta The board officially took up its minister, Fred Horne, fired the board chancellor, will be paid $50,000 duties on November 27, an event then in office because its members a year plus honoraria capped at a that was barely covered by news refused to go along with his demand maximum of $3,000 per month for media because of other news that day they break contracts requiring AHS meetings. involving Alberta Health Services to pay millions of dollars in executive Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn, – the resignation of CEO Vickie bonuses. After the mass dismissal of an epidemiology and biostatistics Kaminski. the board, AHS lawyers conceded PhD who teaches at the University “I’m confident that this group has that the law required the bonuses to of Calgary, will be vice chair. the first-hand knowledge of health be paid. Hemmelgarn is a former nurse.

Key dates in the history of APRIL 2011: Anesthesiologist and longtime Calgary health administrator Dr. Chris Eagle is named ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES CEO. Five new zones are set up.

MAY 15, 2008: Health minister Ron Liepert an- FEBRUARY 2012: Health Quality Council of Alberta nounces creation of Alberta Health Services, a CEO Dr. John Cowell releases a report that raises single, centralized health authority on a corporate concerns about long ER waits, a culture of “fear governance model. Nine regional health boards and alienation” and political interference. are rolled into the entity. Ken Hughes is appointed chair; Charlotte Robb is appointed interim CEO. SEPTEMBER 2012: Businessman and AHS board member Stephen Lockwood appointed AHS board JANUARY 2009: Australian health policy expert chair to replace Hughes, who quit to run as for he Dr. Stephen Duckett, a PhD economist, is named as PCs in the upcoming provincial election. first AHS CEO. JUNE 2013: Health minister Fred Horne fires NOVEMBER 2010: Amidst an ER access crisis, Lockwood and the entire 10-member board in a Duckett walks past reporters and refuses to answer dispute over executive pay. He names health consul- questions because he’s too busy eating a cookie. The tant Janet Davidson as AHS administrator, reducing PC government fires him. Four board members AHS governance from nine regional boards five quit, charging political interference. years earlier to one person. United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 7 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4

“I’m confident that this group has the first-hand knowledge of health care delivery and governance that’s needed to strengthen and stabilize the health system.” Health Minister Sarah Hoffman

The other board members are: Policy Coalition. She worked for David Carpenter – for- many years in Saskatchewan and the mer Lethbridge mayor, Workers’ Northwest Territories as a nurse. Compensation Board director and Richard Dicerni –Executive AHS Official Administrator. He is a Council deputy minister and head Chartered Accountant. of the Alberta Public Service since Glenda Yeates – former federal October 2014. He worked for many deputy minister of health and a se- years as a senior civil servant in nior civil servant in Saskatchewan. Ottawa. Hugh Sommerville – criminal “The board has significant ex- defence lawyer from Drumheller. perience in public administration and solid fiscal planning and these Marliss Taylor – manager of the tools will be critical to making the Streetworks program in Edmonton system effective in the long-run,” and members of the Steering Hoffman said. Committee for the Canadian Drug Alberta Health Services Board Chairperson Linda Hughes

SEPTEMBER 2013: Horne shakes up AHS executive, MARCH 18, 2015: New PC premier Jim Prentice’s ordering cuts to VP ranks and dismissing five top health minister, Stephen Mandel, says he will set up executives. Horne appoints Davidson deputy health eight to 10 new health districts by July 1, each with minister and Cowell official administrator. an “advisory” board. But AHS structure is really essentially unchanged. OCTOBER 2013: Duncan Campbell is appointed CEO. He lasts one month before he sends out a MAY 2015: NDP under Rachel Notley wins majority Tweet that disagrees with the health minister. government on May 5; Sarah Hoffman, appoint- ed health minister, announces a review of AHS NOVEMBER 2013: Brenda Huband and Rick Trimp governance. are named interim co-CEOs. AUGUST 25, 2015: Former Lethbridge mayor David SEPTEMBER 2014: Davidson returns as interim Carpenter is named AHS administrator; Amrhein administrator at the end of Cowell’s one-year term. becomes deputy health minister.

OCTOBER 23, 2015: MAY 2014: Vickie Kaminski, CEO of a Hoffman announces AHS will Newfoundland health region, is appointed president be overseen by a board led by former Edmonton and CEO. Journal publisher Linda Hughes. The new structure has six members with provision for aboriginal lead- ers to be added later. NOVEMBER 2014: Carl Amrhein, provost and VP academic of the University of Alberta becomes ad- ministrator with a term set to end in June 2015. NOVEMBER 27, 2015: Kaminski announces she is resigning; the new board takes over. United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 8 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 AHS withdraws all discipline in SHC information-access case ALBERTA Health Services has withdrawn all formal all affected members, as well as a policy grievance, seek- disciplinary actions against 24 UNA members improp- ing withdrawal of the discipline and other remedies. erly accused in mid-October of having inappropriately In a statement to members on October 14, UNA accessed a patient’s information at South Health Campus strongly criticized AHS CEO Vickie Kaminski’s publica- in Calgary. tion of a news release about serious and confidential disci- The registered nurses represented by UNA faced plinary matters that remained in dispute. UNA called for serious discipline, including in one case termination. her resignation. But as NewsBulletin went to press on December 11, AHS’s December 11 announcement substantially re- AHS informed UNA it was withdrawing discipline for solves the grievances, which UNA expects to withdraw as all the nurses in the SHC Emergency Room related to soon as some minor concerns are clarified. allegations. “As we said at the time, the employer did not have a Specifically, AHS said it would withdraw letters of proper case against our members and seriously over- discipline and remove them from members’ files, pay stepped the bounds of the law and our collective agree- reimbursement of lost wages, and advise the College and ment when it identified members affected in a press re- Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta that the disci- lease and other documents,” said UNA Labour Relations pline has been withdrawn. Director David Harrigan. “We are gratified but not UNA vigorously disputed the conclusions reached by surprised by this outcome and pleased AHS has commit- the employer in all cases and filed grievances on behalf of ted to learning from its actions in this situation.” AHS CEO Vickie Kaminski quits in late November VICKIE Kaminski, the seventh pres- nurse and senior Newfoundland “Vickie is well respected across the ident and CEO in the short history of health official in her statement. “This country as a health care leader and Alberta Health Services, resigned on is a personal decision for me and I I want to acknowledge her commit- November 27. will support the board during the ment to the success of AHS and for Kaminski joined AHS only in May transition period.” her service to Albertans.” 2014. She said in a statement that her “I want to thank Vickie for the Kaminski was the seventh CEO resignation, which becomes effec- passion she brought to her role of the organization since the cabinet tive in January 2016, was a personal at Alberta Health Services,” said of PC premier Ed Stelmach amal- decision. Health Minister Sarah Hoffman. “I gamated the province’s nine health There was little additional explana- appreciate the range of experience regions into a single corporate entity tion of the reasons behind the sudden Vickie brought to the table, from her in 2008. end to Kaminski’s eight-month work as a front-line nurse, to hospital tenure at the top of the province-wide administrator, and then as CEO. Outgoing AHS health care agency. She was hired Vickie has been committed to health President and CEO by the Progressive Conservative care for many years, and I wish her Vickie Kaminski government of premier Jim Prentice, nothing but the best as she moves and departed under the NDP ahead to new opportunities.” Government elected less than three “I am sorry to see Vickie leave months after she started work. AHS and I appreciate this must have “I have sincerely enjoyed working been a difficult decision for her,” said at AHS since I joined the organi- AHS Board Chair Linda Hughes, zation,” said the former registered in what was her first official act on her first day of work in her new role. United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 9 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4

Professional Responsibility Professional Responsibility a top concern for UNA members

REPORTING Professional PRC initiative received positive feed- Responsibility Concerns documents back from UNA members. your efforts to advocate for practice “The laptops have been amazing. schools. Prior to having the new lap environments that enable nurses to No time being wasted at all. I am tops, I spend more time in the office provide safe, competent and ethical using my time so efficiently, at school addressing and replying to emails. care. PRC committees at worksites in between meetings, waiting to … Thanks again for advocating on across Alberta are working hard to arrange vaccination dates while the behalf of the school team. I feel it has ensure UNA members concerns are staff is busy, getting e-mails sent off,” made my role as a school nurse more documented and can be addressed at one member said in response to the creditable and enjoyable,” said anoth- the highest level of the organization improvements. er member. if necessary. “I can provide immediate resource Reporting a PRC is a constructive PRC successes are being seen at support to schools by way of shar- action that can help protect patients, worksites across the province. ing online links to AHS and other clients, and residents and alleviate The PRC committee from Local resources,” said another member. moral distress that nurses sometimes experience when they are unable 211 (Calgary Community) saw “Being able to take it out to my to provide care as required by the improvements after it advocated schools and access my email and standards of professional licensing for increased access to information net work drives has made it possible bodies. To learn more about the PRC technology for home care and public for me to spend more time at my health nurses. The success of this process, visit una.ab.ca

Celebrating a century of registered Professional Associations nursing practice in Alberta UPDATE from CARNA THE Alberta Association of Graduate Nurses (AAGN) held its first meeting on October 11, 1916 with seven of its 91 members in attendance. This group, united in their ƒƒ A centennial conference being held in Edmonton from goal of protecting the public from unsafe care, would grow March 16-18, 2016 (www.carna100conference.ca) over the next 100 years to the over 36,000 member strong ƒƒ Two celebration galas – one in Edmonton and one in CARNA we know and rely on today. Calgary – in October 2016 CARNA and its commitment to expert caring has ƒƒ Announcing the 100 recipients of the Centennial remained constant throughout a century of provincial Nurses Award change and growth thanks to the political engagement, ƒƒ A multi-media competition for students of nursing determination and foresight of the founding members and education programs those who followed. ƒ To celebrate this milestone, members are encouraged ƒ A series on the history of registered nursing in Alberta to participate in a number of events and celebrations in Alberta RN magazine throughout the year, including: Find out more at http://carna100.ca or nurses.ab.ca ƒƒ An exhibit travelling across Alberta from May to This article was submitted by CARNA September, 2016 United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 10 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 Former UNA local president appointed to Alberta cabinet

FORMER United Nurses of Alberta Edmonton-Riverview MLA Lori local president Danielle Larivee Sigurdson, the minister of jobs, skills, was appointed on October 22 to training and labour and minister of the Municipal Affairs portfolio by advanced education, saw her duties Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. change a little with the move of inno- Larivee, who served as president vation to Bilous’s new ministry. of Local 315 and a Registered Nurse Before election to public office, Bilous worked as a school teacher and in public health in the town of Slave CFNU President Linda Silas and Alberta Lake, was elected as New Democrat Sigurdson was a social worker. Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee MLA for the Lesser Slave Lake riding in the May 5, 2015, general election. UNA marks National Day of She is Alberta’s first new cabi- net minister since Premier Notley Remembrance and Action on named her original 12-member NDP cabinet on May 24. An Alberta Violence Against Women Health Services Registered Nurse observed. “Today’s solemn occasion for 17 years before her election, ON December 6, 1989, 14 young reminds us to renew our commitment Larivee’s ministerial responsibil- women were murdered because of as union members and citizens to ities also include the operation of their gender and their course of seeking practical ways to end violence Service Alberta, which runs regis- studies at the Ecole Polytechnique in against women and girls in Canadian tries, provincial land titles, consumer Montreal. homes, communities and workplac- protection and government printing United Nurses of Alberta recogniz- es,” she said. services. es and mourns the anniversary of this UNA also continues to strive Larivee’s appointment was part of national tragedy. to create safer workplaces for a small cabinet shuffle, the Notley “After more than a quarter cen- Alberta’s nurses, their patients Government’s first, that also saw tury,” UNA President Heather and patients’ families through the creation of a new Economic Smith asked today, “what has really Professional Responsibility Concern Development and Trade Ministry, in- changed in Canada to prevent trage- and Occupational Health & Safety cluding the innovation portfolio that dies like this from happening again?” committees. was formerly part of the Advanced Smith advocated all levels of Education Ministry, with Edmonton- government take meaningful steps to Alberta’s nurses have a right to safe Beverly-Clareview MLA Deron prevent violence against women in workplaces and a responsibility to en- Bilous as minister. Canada. She noted that the possibil- sure the rules are enforced to create a safe environment for our patients, As one of the four NDP MLAs ity of such policies being enacted has residents, clients, and coworkers, elected before the NDP Government been significantly improved by the she said. came to power on May 5, Bilous’s changes in government taking place appointment signals the impor- throughout the country. tance of the promised economic Working on the front lines of diversification process to the Notley health care, Alberta’s nurses see the Government. He previously held impact of violence against women, the Municipal Affairs and Service and sometimes experience it in their Alberta portfolio. own workplaces and homes, Smith United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 11 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4

Canadian nurses to lead Global Nurses United working group on occupational health and safety

IN late September, Canadian Federation of ƒƒ Costa Rica’s challenge with a government Nurses Unions President Linda Silas attended bill that would outsource nurses’ services the annual meeting of Global Nurses United ƒƒ Peru’s general strike over nurse staffing and in Brazil to discuss issues affecting nurses hours and the nursing profession worldwide. ƒƒ Fights against privatization in the Philippines Global Nurses United represents more and Honduras than a million nurses from 21 countries. GNU also welcomed Peruvian nurses to the ta- CFNU is an enthusiastic partner. ble and established several new working groups, “I am truly honoured to bring the voice of and CFNU will be leading the Occupational Canada’s nurses to each meeting, and it is so Health and Safety and ILO C-149 groups. important to contribute to the global nursing Australia Nurses and Midwifery Federation will discussions,” Silas said after the meeting, which be leading a working group on violence. took place from Sept 23-24 in Brasilia. “Many of the action items discussed are very “What we often discover in each meeting is similar to situations happening within our own that though we all may speak different languag- borders,” said Silas. “We recently elected a new es, and there are hundreds of thousands of miles federal government and the work starts now to between our countries, many of our issues are reverse the cuts of federal health transfers that very similar across the board.” were felt by every nurse in this country, and This year, several actions items were discussed, affected our ability to deliver safe, quality care to including: patients.” ƒƒ Brazilian nurses’ fight for a 30 hour work Silas also highlighted the need for a health hu- week and for their government to sign man resources strategy at a time when Canada’s ILO C-149, the International Labour nurses worked more than 19 million hours of Organizations’ nursing personnel conven- overtime in 2014 alone – the equivalent to 10,700 tion, which recognizes the vital role played full time positions – and when thousands of new by nurses in health care and that nurse Canadian nursing graduates are unable to find shortages are an obstacle to development of full-time work each year. effective health services “By working together we are able to discuss the ƒƒ South Korea’s general strike to protect work- different issues and provide ideas to one another, ers’ rights and by standing we are able to bring positive ƒƒ Guatemala’s transition to a new government changes to the nursing profession at the global and the need for 5,000 more nurses level,” she said. United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 12 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4

Get that warm Valentine’s Day feeling without warming the planet!

IT may feel like winter now – but it’ll soon be of plantable seed paper, which biodegrades and sprouts warming up. And just because we’re worried anew as spring flowers! about global warming doesn’t mean we can’t Dine in locally: This year, why not make dinner yourself have a nice warm feeling for Valentine’s Day! … from locally grown products! Organic wine is easy to Here are a few heartwarming tips for February 14: find too. So be sure you wine and dine organically. Eco-friendly chocolate: Try to find fair-trade, eco-friendly Plant your love: In Alberta’s climate, this one might have chocolate for your sweetie. Rainforest Alliance certified to wait a few weeks, but how about planting a tree in chocolate can be found at rainforest-alliance.org. And if honour of someone you love? you can’t, go home made! Flowers that keep flowering: Cut roses are very nice, but Rethink romantic gifts: Can you shrink your environmen- they’re often flown in from warmer climes. A beautiful tal footprint and still be romantic? Probably … from house plant may not have come from as far, and it’ll keep e-cards to recycled jewelry, there are plenty of eco-friend- on showing your love without a big carbon footprint. ly alternatives. Eco-friendly jewelry: Consumers are growing increasingly Green greetings: Make sure your cards are made from concerned about “blood diamonds” and “dirty gold” – ask recycled paper. Some manufacturers even make cards out your jeweler about eco-friendly, fair-trade alternatives. Green corner, on environmentally friendly topics likely to be of interest to UNA members, is brought to you by the Advocacy and Engagement Committee. UNA believes coal phase-out will have positive impact on Albertans’ health

UNITED Nurses of Alberta November 23 to speak to the need for to replace two thirds of existing coal President Heather Smith joined Alberta to phase out coal emissions. electricity with renewable energy. Health Minister Sarah Hoffman, “Nurses work every day with “Right now, 55 per cent of Environment & Parks Minister Albertans young and old who suffer Alberta’s electricity is generated Shannon Phillips, and representatives from reparatory ailments,” said by coal, and coal pollution causes of the Alberta Medical Association Smith. “So we were pleased with the respiratory illness in more people and the Asthma Society of Canada at Alberta government’s plan to phase than any other way of generating an Edmonton press conference on out coal-fired electricity generation energy,” Hoffman told the reporters because it will have a positive impact at the news conference. “It’s time for on the health of Albertans and on Alberta to move to cleaner sources the sustainability of our health care of electricity, and that’s what we’re system.” going to do by reaching zero coal The day before, the Alberta emissions.” government released its plan to take “As trade unionists, we were also action on climate change. Part of pleased the government chose to that plan includes the phasing out of make this change in a way designed coal emissions by 2030. To accom- to mitigate the impact on Albertans plish this goal, the government plans who work in the coal industry,”

Shannon Phillips said Smith. United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 13 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 Trudeau appoints new ministers of health and labour By Dave Cournoyer Communications Advisor

THE excitement of political change area riding of Kildonan-St. Paul on to use Bill C-377, An Act to Amend in Ottawa following the October 19, Oct. 19, Mihychuk served as an NDP the Income Tax Act (Requirements 2015, election has begun to die down MLA in the Manitoba Legislature for Labour Organizations), to intro- as our elected officials settle into their from 1995 to 2004 and as Minister duce onerous and redundant re- offices and face the realities and chal- of Industry, Trade and Mines and porting requirements on unions and lenges ahead of them. Minister of Intergovernmental many other organizations involved in On November 4, 2015, Prime Affairs and Trade. labour relations practice. There was Minister Justin Trudeau announced In her mandate letter from also concern Bill C-377 would violate the members of Canada’s new federal Trudeau, Mihychuk was direct- Alberta provincial privacy laws. cabinet, including new ministers re- ed to “restore a fair and balanced Former Conservative Health sponsible for health care and labour approach to organized labour by Minister Rona Ambrose was chosen issues. repealing Bills C-377 and C-525 and by her colleagues to serve as interim Family physician Jane Philpott implementing a modern Fair Wages leader of the Official Opposition is Canada’s new Minister of Policy.” following former prime minister Health. She was elected on Oct. Many Canadian labour unions, Stephen Harper’s resignation as par- 19 as Member of Parliament for including United Nurses of Alberta, ty leader. Ambrose is the MP for the Markham-Stouffville. raised concerns about the apparent Edmonton area riding of Sturgeon River-Parkland. Before entering politics, Philpott intention of the federal Government served as Chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital and associ- Victorian Order of Nurses shuts down ate professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and in six provinces, including Alberta Community Medicine. THE Victorian Order of Nurses, considering the move for more than During the 2015 federal elec- struggling financially for years, will two years, the Globe and Mail tion, the Liberal Party promised a shut down operations in most prov- reported. The Ottawa-based orga- Trudeau-led government would take inces, including Alberta, the orga- nization, which operated in Canada a more hands-on approach to health nization said in a news release on since 1897, will continue to provide care. Liberal promises included im- November 25. privatized home care services in proving access and reducing the cost In addition to Alberta, the Ontario and Nova Scotia, its main of prescription medications, estab- business areas. lishing a new Health Accord, foster- non-profit home nursing provid- The amount the organization owes ing pan-Canadian collaboration on er planned to cease operations in is sealed as part of a court order. The health innovation, and increasing the Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New company went into receivership to availability of high-quality mental Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, protect employee wages, Poirier said. health services for Canadians. and Newfoundland and Labrador. UNA represented only nine VON MaryAnn Mihychuk is the new It filed for protection under the employees, all in the Edmonton area. federal Minister of Employment, Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Workforce and Labour. Before her Act. The closing is an other illustration election as the MP for the Winnipeg President and CEO Jo-Anne of the problems of having private, Poirier said VON has been even not-for-profit organizations provide public services. United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 14 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 We need to get farm safety right By Dewey Funk, UNA Occupational Health & Safety Advisor

A young man just graduated from I am an OH&S Advisor and I have emergencies in part because of the high school in rural Alberta. There is long advocated for health and safety chemicals used on farms. no cover on the power take-off shaft. coverage for farm workers. I will When new law is passed, an OH&S His clothing gets caught. He is pulled continue to advocate for OH&S law Officer will still not be allowed to in and found dead. Another life gone. for farm workers. investigate accidental deaths of chil- He lived across the road. Farm workers deserve the Right dren on farms, deaths that will con- A man is working on his equipment to Refuse unsafe work and other tinue to occur. This law does not go and he also doesn’t stop the machin- basic protections all other workers far enough in protecting our greatest ery, with its moving parts. As he tries in Alberta enjoy. Can you imagine natural resources - our children. How to flip the belt back and he loses all of being injured at work and have no many more kids will have to maimed his fingers on both hands. He was a income? Having to pay for medica- or die before we learn? neighbour. tion and being faced with the situ- The latest death is a young 10-year ation of having to sue an employer old boy driving a fork lift. Tragic. for lost wages? The employer could Security in AHS be a neighbor who you’ve known all In rural Alberta, the fall is combin- your life. is Changing ing season. Farmers are unloading trucks, the grain augers are running The top rate for WCB premiums ALBERTA Health Services has and being moved while running. is $2.97 per hundred dollars, which listened to UNA members who raised People are losing fingers. is a low cost for insurance that will concerns about worksite security protect farm employers from being through Article 34 of the Provincial Nurses across the province care for sued while providing farm workers Collective Agreement. the fractures, wounds and face the with access to compensation. hallway of tears when a death occurs AHS is in the process of composing in a rural community. Many laws impact our lives be- a list of ten sites in each of the five cause they save lives. Mandatory seat zones where security needs have been The Alberta government did not belts, mandatory bicycle helmets for identified and UNA and other health properly consult farmers and farm kids, distracted driving laws, and care unions have been asked to help workers before announcing that impaired driving legislation have all Occupational Health and Safety law identify sites viewed as being at risk. have saved lives. would be part of Bill 6: Enhanced AHS will then conduct a physical Protection for Farm and Ranch The law should determine how site assessment with staff involvement Workers Act. The government uses old a child should be before they can on security needs in which security focus groups, consultation when operate farm equipment. We do not enhancements would be identified. drafting other laws. Farmers and allow children to drive cars at the age Enhancements could range from farm workers deserve no less. of 14 by themselves and the law states security cameras, alarms systems to they must pass a test and be 16 years Government ministers should have having security on site. This process old to drive unaccompanied by an immediately provided costing for will begin in 2016. This change adult. Why is a tractor different? the Workers’ Compensation Board represents a structural shift in the when the changes were proposed. A farm can be a dangerous place. way security needs are now being Providing the cost to the farm em- The chemicals used to spray fields delivered. ployers would allow them to deter- can have dire effects and those UNA locals representing members mine how WCB would impact the chemicals should be locked up. Rural employed by AHS submitted security bottom line of their business. hospitals have equipment installed surveys to the union in spring 2015. and nurses have trained for chemical, Government should have had a Survey results were provided to the biohazard, radiation, and nuclear clear definition of who is considered a employer and helped support UNA’s farm worker and what is farm work. case that improvement to security is required. United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 15 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 UNA pleased by province’s new approach to encouraging flu immunization

UNITED Nurses of Alberta supports Smith said UNA is pleased that the the government of Alberta’s efforts government is now emphasizing the to encourage an increase in overall same range of influenza control mea- immunization rates among all health sures as long advocated by the union, care employees. rather than putting all its efforts At an Edmonton influenza vaccina- into vaccinating employees and then tion clinic in early November, UNA tabulating statistics about them as the President Heather Smith, UNA First previous government did. Vice-President Jane Sustrik, Alberta “A higher percentage of immu- Health Minister Sarah Hoffman and nized employees is certainly a big First Vice-President Jane Sustrik other health care leaders urged all receives her flu shot part of dealing with the challenge Albertans, and especially health care faced by Alberta Health Services, workers, to get immunized. they are on shift so they do not need but we obviously also needed to be to take time off work to get the flu Sustrik had her 2015 flu shot at the more diligent about the other aspects vaccine. clinic as Smith, who had already had of influenza control,” she added. hers, looked on. UNA’s position has long been that Hospital overcrowding and pressure vaccination programs are only a on employees to return to work too The provincial government, which small part of the overall response quickly after an illness also impact is emphasizing an approach that en- that is required to prevent exposure the ability of AHS to keep outbreaks courages immunization by focusing to influenza and the spread of this under control. on education, promotion and mak- serious disease in health care settings. ing it easy for health care employees The government says the new AHS Other components include routine to get their shots, hopes to achieve approach has yielded two key results: hand hygiene, use of personal pro- an 80-per-cent immunization rate 1. Doubling the rate of health worker tective equipment, isolation policies, among heath care workers this year. immunization since 2012. sufficient capacity in the system to Hoffman told reporters at the clinic meet a surge in patients, and ade- 2. Dramatically improving partial that health care workers can now be quate staffing at all times. results this year – when more than immunized at their workplaces while 40 per cent have already received their shot.

Health Minister Sarah Hoffman receives a flu shot UNA President Heather Smith talks to the media about the importance of influenza vaccinations United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 16 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 Five days doing surgery in Peru showed blessing of Canadian health care

Some of the volunteers on the TANGO Foundation medical mission to Peru above; below left, Roberta Halldorson of Local 70 in Medicine Hat; next page, more scenes from the mission.

FIVE difficult but rewarding days of volunteering with a surgical mission in Peru left Registered Nurse and UNA member Roberta Halldorson more appreciative of Canada’s universal heath care system. Seeing the lack of resources and funding in the Peruvian communities of Chincha and Pisco, several hours south of Lima, was an education, said Halldorson, a member of Local 70 at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. “When every purchased item, every medication and even patient gown has to be provided by the patient, it was incredible to see the gratitude of the people I was able to help.” United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 17 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4

The humanitarian mission to Peru organized by family would have to go to a pharmacy and bring it to the the TANGO Foundation – TANGO stands for Taber hospital for them.” Assisting Nations through Global Outreach – from Every morning the surgical team boarded a bus at 7 October 16 to 25. Based at the Peruvian American a.m. to make the commute to Pisco. “Once we were at Medical Society Clinic in Chincha, about three hours the hospital we were able to prepare the operating theatre from Lima, a total of 65 volunteers almost all from for the day. Other team members that were working in Southern Alberta provided medical, dental, optometric, the recovery room prepared the patients for surgery. surgical, educational and humanitarian building aid to “All of these tasks were done with the assistance of a those in need. few wonderful volunteer interpreters. … A couple of the The nine members of Halldorson’s surgical group local nurses spoke a little bit of English as well.” worked in general surgery, cataract surgery, endoscopy, Each case was managed by members of Halldorson’s outpost medical construction and education. Halldorson team, “from preoperative to operative to recovery,” she was part of the five-member general surgery team, travel- remembered. “This type of surgery is considered elec- ling daily from Chincha to the Hospital San Juan de Dios tive as it sometimes is in Canada, but due to their health in Pisco. This hospital was built after a large earthquake care system these patients would be unable to afford the in 2007 that destroyed a large part of the town. surgery.” “Members of the group spent the first day assessing Each evening, the team returned to Chincha where patients to determine who needed surgery,” she recalled. PAMS provided dinner. One evening they had din- “People had been waiting at the hospital since 4 a.m. to ner at an orphanage where the construction team was be seen. After the day was done, a total of 16 patients volunteering. were booked for surgery for the next four days.” Halldorson noted that the team brought packs with Most of the procedures carried out by her team were the team containing basic draping, sponges and sharps, gall bladder surgeries, plus a couple of herna repairs. as well as a couple sets of basic instruments. They also “Patients were given a list of things they needed to bring brought laparoscopic surgical equipment purchased by with them on the day of surgery,” she recalled. “This in- TANGO and left behind as a gift to the hospital. cluded items like a disposable patient gown, IV fluid and tubing. Even bringing in medication was their responsi- She was grateful to UNA for its support in the form a bility. If they were prescribed something in hospital, their $1,000 humanitarian grant.

For more information about the TANGO Foundations, visit www.thetangofoundation.com/ United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 18 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 UNA shares recommendations with Alberta Government for new essential services laws

strikes will be helpful to the govern- UNITED Nurses of Alberta has The government has submitted recommendations calling ment in drafting new legislation that for all employees to be given the right until April 1, 2016, to protects the public and patients at the to strike unless specifically deter- amend the current same time as it respects the consti- tutionally protected rights of health mined otherwise to the Government Labour Relations Code. of Alberta’s review of the province’s care workers. essential services legislation. UNA proposed a list of 13 rec- In addition to the written submis- 2016, to amend the current Labour ommendations for a framework for sion, UNA representatives partici- Relations Code. drafting Charter-compliant essential pated in two round table discussions UNA believes the ruling from services legislation and a series of related to essential services for the Supreme Court constitutionally specific recommendations for chang- employees working in long-term protects the premise that all workers es to the Alberta Labour Relations care and health care. These sessions have a right to strike until such time Code that would safeguard the rights were organized by the provincial they are deemed by the government, of working people while ensuring the government and involved unions and employer and union to be providing delivery of essential services during employers. an essential service. labour disputes. As a result of recent legal decisions, UNA also believes aspects of its The full list can be found on the government has until April 1, traditional approach to ensuring the UNA’s website. delivery of essential services during New contract ratified by UNA and Capital Care Edmonton

AFTER more than a year of nego- Highlights of the new four-year ƒƒ A $250 employer reimbursement tiations, a new collective agreement contract include: for annual professional associa- has been ratified by members of ƒƒ A $2,000 lump sum payment tion fees. United Nurses of Alberta Local 118 in the first year of the contract, ƒƒ Inclusion of Physiotherapy and and their employer, Capital Care 2-per-cent salary increase and Massage Therapy coverage in Edmonton. a $1,000 lump sum payment in the contract as of March 1, 2016 The new contract applies to UNA the second year, a 2.25-per-cent Language in the collective agree- members employed at the following salary increase and $1,000 lump ment related to promotions and va- facilities: Dickinsfield; Grandview; sum payment in the third year, cancies was improved to more closely Laurier House; Lynwood; Norwood; and a 3-per-cent salary increase reflect the Provincial Collective Strathcona Care Centre; Choice in the fourth year. Agreement. Program Dickinsfield; Choice ƒƒ Special Leave to be replaced Program Norwood; Kipnes Centre with Personal Leave as of April for Veterans. 1, 2016 United Nurses of Alberta NewsBulletin 19 December 2015 Volume 39, Number 4 Know yourRights Report from Director of Labour Relations David Harrigan Employees assigned on-call duty must be paid for phone consultations

UNDER United Nurses of Alberta’s Provincial Collective consultation(s), and corresponding required documenta- Agreement, employees who are assigned on-call duties tion, during the on-call period.” must be paid for telephone consultations during the times In addition, Article 9.08 states that “if telephone they are on call. consultation has been provided by the Employee and the Article 9.01, On-Call, of the Provincial Collective total accumulated time spent on such telephone consul- Agreement defines on-call duty as “any period during tation(s) and corresponding required documentation, which an Employee is not on regular duty and during during the on-call period, is less than 30 minutes, the which the Employee is on-call and must be reasonably Employee shall be compensated at the overtime rate for available to respond without undue delay to any request 30 minutes.” to report for duty.” UNA encourages members who have been consulted Article 9.08, Telephone Consultation, says that “when on the telephone when they are on call to claim to be an Employee, who has been assigned on-call duty, is properly compensated under this article. consulted by telephone and is authorized to handle For more information, or to address a problem getting patient/resident/client matters without returning to the paid for telephone consultations during on-call periods, workplace, such Employee shall be paid the overtime you can call your UNA Local Executive or Labour rate for the total accumulated time spent on telephone Relations Officer at 1-800-252-9394. New contract ratified by UNA and Good Samaritan Society

MEMBERS of four United Nurses Highlights of the new contract ƒƒ A $250 employer reimburse- of Alberta locals and their employer, include: ment for annual professional the Good Samaritan Society, have ƒƒ A 2-per-cent salary increase in association fees effective as of ratified a new collective agreement. the first year of the contract, January 1, 2016. The new four-year contract a 2.25-per-cent increase in ƒƒ Reinstatement of the semi-annu- applies to members of Local 8 at the second year, and a 3-per- al $875 lump sum payments that the Clearwater Centre in Rocky cent increase in the third year. had ended in 2013. Mountain House, Local 212 at ƒƒ A $1,500 lump sum payment in UNA was successful in ensuring a Good Samaritan Stony Plain the first year of the contract and significant rollback to pension con- Care Centre, Local 223 at Good $1,000 lump sum payments in tributions proposed by the employer Samaritan Medicine Hat, and Local the second and third years. will not happen. 316 at Good Samaritan Southgate ƒƒ 75/25 cost sharing to continue Care Centre/Mill Woods Centre/ for 12 weeks beyond health re- Dr. Gerald Zetter Care Center/ lated portion of maternity leave. CHOICE Program. We’re here for nurses

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