FrontIssue Three 2009 The MagazineLines for Nurses by the Manitoba Nurses’ Union

MNU 2009 AGM HIGHLIGHTS President’s Address, resolutions, speakers and more...

Nurse abuse: It’s not part of the job

Surgical plume: The fight for a safer workplace

Commitment to Caring: Profile of two Victoria Hospital nurses Front Lines is published by the Manitoba Nurses’ Union (MNU). Founded in 1975, the MNU continues to be an active FrontIssue Three 2009 The MagazineLines for Manitoba Nurses by the Manitoba Nurses’ Union member-driven organization dedicated to meeting the needs of its members. Approximately 11,000 nurses province- wide belong to the MNU. That’s 97% In This Issue of unionized nurses in Manitoba.

3 Message from the President “To Care for Nurses 4 Cover Feature is to Care for Patients” AGM 2009 Highlights President’s Address Joyce Gleason Sandi Mowat reviews the last year Subject to Debate 4 Resolutions affecting the future of nursing Editor Meghan Hurley Dancing Nurses 204-942-1320 CFNU president gets delegates moving [email protected] Yellow Ribbon Awards Gloria Loveday and Lorette Walker Contributors Kirsten Andersson 8 A Commitment to Caring Shauna Briscoe A New Profile Series – This issue, two women Bob Romphf from Nigeria come to nurse in 9 MNU News Briefs 8 • The Dauphin grey-listing lifted Contact Us: 9 • Nurses march to the Legislature MNU Communications Department • Petition against CBS decision 301 - 275 Broadway Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4M6 10 Touring Continues... Sandi Mowat continues her province-wide (Tel.) 204.942.1320 tour, this time visiting the Central Region (Fax) 204.942.0958 12 Bargaining ’09 Website: www.manitobanurses.ca The Collective Bargaining Conference Email: [email protected] to prepare for upcoming negotiations MNU is affiliated with the Canadian 13 Pension and Benefits Corner Federation of Nurses’ Unions and Bob Romphf, MNU Labour Relations Officer the Canadian Labour Congress. 12 10 – Benefits, updates you on what’s new MNU is a member of the Canadian 14 Nurse Abuse Association of Labour Media. Statistics Canada reports that less than half MNU adheres to all Privacy Legislation of abuse incidents are reported – we need requirements. to speak up and report incidents of abuse Publication Agreement #40021526 15 Right to a Safe Workplace Shauna Briscoe, MNU LRO, previews a campaign about violence against nurses RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Manitoba Nurses‘ Union 16 Across Canada 301-275 Broadway 14 National information and issues Winnipeg, MB R3C 4M6 18 Where There’s Smoke... II Email: [email protected] 18 CSA creates the first-ever standards to protect against surgical plume 19 MNU Board of Directors On the Cover: and Committee Executive CFNU President, Linda Silas (left) 20 myMNU Member Portal and MNU President, Sandi Mowat, rock the stage at the 2009 AGM. Message from the President

Bargaining 2009

The process of developing 2009 bargaining proposals began several months ago. Local meetings, a mail-in survey and independent polling are just a few of the ways in which we get member- ship input. More than 3,500 members returned their mail-in survey. Our independent polling process involves 1,200 members, which gives us a very small margin of error. The recent bargaining conference involved leaders from all over the province who brought their issues to the PCBC.

Recurring Themes

Sandi Mowat, MNU President The recurring themes this year are pension and competitive salary. Improving working conditions and reducing workload were also priorities for members. In the past, there have been differences in priorities for different demographics, such as older and younger or rural and urban. This is not the case in this round of bargaining. Our members are united in their priorities.

The Provincial Collective Bargaining Committee (PCBC) will meet in June to craft the proposals. If you have any issues you want brought forward please contact your PCBC representative.

Shaming

Our union is taking a strong stand on the legislation that is currently under consideration – The Regulated Health Professionals Act. Delegates to our recent AGM passed a resolution calling upon all licensing bodies (CRNM, CLPN, and RPNM) to refrain from publishing the names of nurses disciplined for addiction. Currently, only the College of Registered Nurses publishes names in their magazine and on their website.

We do not take issue with the discipline process. Nurses with addictions may have their license taken away or restricted. Addicted nurses go through extensive treatment programs and agree to random drug testing. That is enough to protect the public. Publishing their names will hinder their ability to rehabilitate. To be publicly shamed – or even the fear of being stigmatized – can cause a setback in their recovery. Nurses will also be discouraged from dealing with their addiction if they are in fear of being publicly exposed. We are currently in the process of lobbying the government on the issue.

Touring

Touring continues. I will be visiting regions throughout the province this summer. By the most recent AGM I had toured 68 locals and worksites. Hopefully, by the next AGM, I can complete my tour of the province – that’s 144 workplaces in all!

MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 3 MNU 2009 AGM Highlights MNU 2009 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING A COMMITMENT TO CARING

In Sandi Mowat’s address at the AGM, she reported physical assault by a patient. Fifty recalled the tragedy of Brian Sinclair who died per cent of nurses in the province reported in the Health Sciences Centre emergency room. emotional abuse. Mowat told the delegates that the full power The process of installing signs to warn the of the union is behind the HSC nurses who public of consequences of abuse towards will be called to testify in the inquest. staff was slow. After threatening to file grievances in every facility that didn’t have “It was a tragic occurrence, made even more the signs, they were put up quickly. tragic by the feeding frenzy among the media to find a scapegoat,” Mowat said. “Already Assault should not be part of the job and devastated by the death of a patient that they there should be security in place to help knew well and cared about, nurses were protect nurses. forced to endure taunts from the public “Officials were a bit taken aback when I and abuse from the media.” pointed out that people have to go through During her speech, Mowat reasserted that a metal detector to get into several bars in the tragic death was no one individual’s fault. the City of Winnipeg, but you could get an It was a systematic problem and changes Uzi into many hospitals in this province with should be made to address the issues. no one to stop you,” Mowat said. Mowat commended worksite # 25 President The MNU is working with the department Deb Derhak for not backing down. The local of labour to ensure that local health and tried every avenue to get employers to listen safety committees are functioning and their to their concerns. concerns are addressed. In 2007, they grey-listed the Dauphin Regional Mowat also talked to delegates about Health Centre. By putting pressure on the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) trying to get region and the minister’s office, changes federal government approval to replace were made. nurses with unlicensed workers. “After a long struggle to keep pressure on “As everyone in the room knows, Canadian employers, the Dauphin nurses were success- Blood Services was created in response to the ful in achieving enough improvements to ask largest public health catastrophe in Canadian the board to lift the grey-listing,” Mowat history,” Mowat said. “More than 1,000 said. The grey-listing was lifted April 26. Canadians were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C as a result of tainted blood.” Mowat’s speech also touched on the issue of violence in the workplace. Statistics Canada The MNU has joined with nurses’ unions recently came out with alarming numbers – across the country to fight this decision. CBS almost 40 per cent of nurses in Manitoba nurse Karen Zurba took a leadership role in

Sandi Mowat MNU President

4 MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 MNU 2009 AGM highlights

Subject to Debate

Delegates debated a number of resolutions affecting the future of nursing and the MNU administration

Publishing nurses’ names A resolution was passed that will see the MNU call upon the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba’s fight. Having unlicensed workers Manitoba, the College of Licensed Practical doing nursing work is not the answer. Nurses of Manitoba and the College of Mowat also talked to delegates about Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba bargaining in tough economic times. to stop publishing the names of nurses who suffer from an addiction. “We will go to the bargaining table with realistic expectations, but we are prepared Recovering addicts are in need of care and to fight for a fair settlement,” Mowat said. support in their efforts to return to healthy, “We must find creative solutions to shore up full and productive personal and work lives. and improve our pension plan. Our members have been clear that this is a priority.” Term of office As the delegates saw in a video presented at Every member elected to any position except the AGM, Mowat spent a lot of time during for the president will serve for a two-year the last eight months touring through the period beginning May 1 of the calendar year province. She learned a lot about the work or until replaced. that nurses do in rural and northern settings. The president will serve for a two-year term Mowat was recently at the Victoria Hospital. beginning June 15 of the calendar year or Patients who were once in hallways are now until replaced. in visitor lounges. The patients in lounges have no washroom. Mowat met a nurse on Responsibility pay a medical unit who was trying to help a The bargaining committee will actively pursue middle-aged man get to the washroom but increasing responsibility pay significantly at the his oxygen tubing would not reach. He was next round of bargaining since nurses are forced to use a bedpan in the lounge area. refusing to be charge because of the stress The nurse and Mowat were upset that the and lack of significant financial remuneration. patient had to endure this indignity.

Mowat will always remember that the nurse Smoothing policy looked at her and said, “This happens all the A resolution was passed that changes the time. It’s very hard. I go home at night upset, way salary replacement and/ or continuance but I always come back tomorrow.” is applied to members of the Provincial Mowat ended her address to the delegates by Collective Bargaining Committee. thanking the nurses for coming back tomorrow, saying “That truly is a commitment to caring.”

VAL WOTTON MNU VICE-President

MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 5 MNU 2009 AGM Highlights

speak out against poverty – Wayne Helgason The Social Planning Council of Winnipeg called on Manitoba nurses during the AGM to help in the fight against poverty. “Poverty reduces your choices about Linda Silas gets delegates moving seeking better healthcare,” said Wayne CFNU president Linda Silas got delegates dancing to Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez Helgason, the Social Planning Council at the end of her speech. of Winnipeg’s executive director. “It’s “It’s important to bring back energy and estimated that if poverty was eliminated, hope,” Silas said. “In the workplace, a lot we would save 20 per cent in health of nurses are saying ‘I don’t know if I can care costs.” come back tomorrow.’” Most health problems are more common the farther down the social ladder you go, he said. Helgason said key areas need to be changed in order to reduce poverty. The first is access to affordable social housing. “Things start at home,” he said. “If you have a safe, secure environment at home you can build on that.” Helgason said more support is needed to increase the amount of social housing in the province. During her speech, Silas also talked about the global recession and how it’s affecting A better system of social assistance is also nursing across the country. needed to reduce poverty and improve the overall health of Manitobans. Many people don’t think the economy made an impact on staffing, but around The third area that needs to be improved 80 nurses have been laid off in the last is investment in education. Adult learning few months in , she said. centres are especially important for laid-off workers who need re-training. The CFNU is gearing up for their biennial convention in Vancouver.

6 MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 MNU 2009 AGM highlights Yellow Ribbon Awards Nurses recognized for union and community activism

Planning for the future – Charly Pazdor

Lorette Walker, nominated by Worksite Charly Pazdor, a principal and a consulting #40, often slept at work on stormy nights. actuary with Eckler Ltd., talked about She didn’t want to get snowed in at home the problems with pension plans during and force the night nurse to work overtime. the AGM. “I feel very flattered. There are so many people “For a long time there was good news that I feel have done as much for the union in pensions and people got used to Gloria Loveday was nominated for her if not more than I have,” Walker said. “I’ve good investment returns,” Pazdor said. involvement with the union for most of her realized since I got sick by the number of “In the 21st century, pension plans 32 years with Central Park Lodge Parkview phone calls and letters I’ve received that haven’t earned returns as before.” Place and her compassion for residents. I’ve made more of an impression on my During his presentation, Pazdor revealed co-workers than I thought.” “As far as I’m concerned, seniors are number the biggest challenge facing pension one,” Loveday said. “I grew up with them Lorette was recently diagnosed with lung plans is the current pension formula. and they were so full of wisdom and they cancer and is on sick leave from her position Defined benefit pension plans are made could tell us so much.” at Elmwood Manner. up of investments and contributions. If If her residents don’t have relatives, she takes Walker’s dedication to the union and her the investments are plunging because care of them over the holidays. She will make nursing career became even more evident of the current economic climate, the sure they have something for Christmas to colleagues when she was missing from contributions might have to be increased. morning and a cake on their birthday. a recent meeting. “Unless there is a surprising and miraculous In addition to her compassion for residents, “Her voice was missed and brought about change in the market, contributions might Loveday fought hard in her 27 years as a strong realization of just how dedicated have to go up,” Pazdor said. president of the local to ensure staff got Lorette is to her fellow union members and The investment market and economic what they deserved. to the residents she cares for,” Cindy Soder conditions are much different than the last and Kim Drake wrote in their nomination. “She has dedicated many hours to wards, 25 years of the 20th century, Pazdor said. making the workplace a fair and equitable Walker first became involved in the union From 1978 to 2000 the four-year average one not only for us but for nurses everywhere,” in 1987 as vice-president of Worksite #40. fund returns were above 10 per cent. said Sham Fhella, who nominated Loveday She held that position until 1990. From 2001 to 2008 the four-year average for the award. “Gloria performed her work fund returns were below 10 per cent. in the union with dignity and respect for both She took a short break from the union to her co-workers and management.” start her family but returned in 1996 to Pazdor also said that people are living become a ward representative and sit on longer therefore pensions cost more money. One of her biggest accomplishments as the Nursing Advisory Committee. president of the local was fighting to make In the future, pension costs will be higher sure nurses were treated fairly by management. “It’s more a case that in our small facility and contributions will have to increase there weren’t many people who were that to compensate for lower returns on “We had a nurse come from Ontario but interested in the union or were bold enough investments, Pazdor said. management didn’t consider that experience to get involved,” Walker said. “Most were Pazdor ended the presentation with the relevant to what she was working in,” Loveday afraid of stepping on management’s toes. only good news about being in a recession said. “You have to do something about it. I was a little bit more vocal – if things – inflation rates are low and mortgage We got MNU involved and she got back pay.” weren’t right I would say what I thought.” rates are still at historical lows. Walker says her best accomplishment was developing good communication between the union and management.

MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 7 CARING TO Blessing Okafor knew her life was about to “Back home you are T N change when she received a letter in the mail well established E giving her the green light to move to Canada. and the sky is the limit. Then all of M That letter signaled a new beginning for T a sudden you are I BOkafor, her husband and their four children faced with the stark M who were living in Nigeria. Okafor would get reality of starting over the chance to use her skills as a veteran nurse M when you come here.”

back home at a busy hospital in Winnipeg. O

C “I wanted to try to see what nursing was like

Faustina Phillips A in other countries and make more freedom for my kids,” Okafor said. “But I was met with a very difficult time trying to integrate.” Manitoba nurses are committed Phillips came to Winnipeg alone on a The family cut their ties in Nigeria and moved to caring for their patients and visitor’s visa, taking a leave of absence from to Canada in 2005. Okafor was a nurse for often go above and beyond the the hospital back home in case things in more than 15 years back home, doing stints call of duty. Canada didn’t work out. Her husband and Profile in public health, obstetrics, surgery and four children stayed in Nigeria. Front Lines presents this series pediatrics – giving her the skills needed to tell their stories. The stories to work in just about any hospital ward. Phillips came to Canada equipped with more of your colleagues – how they than 20 years of nursing experience in the But even with 15 years experience as a got into nursing, their struggles psychiatric, surgery and pediatrics wards. nurse, it wasn’t easy to become registered and how they deliver the best in Canada. Okafor became a healthcare As excited as Phillips was to practice nursing in possible care to their patients aide while she had her credentials verified Winnipeg, giving up her Nigerian lifestyle and every day. and studied for the registered nurse exam. leaving her family has not been easy. Phillips In this first article, Front Lines lived in a hotel when she first moved to After passing the exam, Okafor began caught up with two women Winnipeg and desperately missed her family. working at the Victoria Hospital as a nurse. from Nigeria who moved half With more than a decade of nursing in “Back home you are well established and way around the world to Nigeria behind her, she proved her skills the sky is the limit,” Phillips said. “Then all practice nursing in Canada. quickly. Another internationally trained of a sudden you are faced with the stark nurse became her mentor, guiding her as reality of starting over when you come she found her way around a new hospital. here.” “I’m on top of things now. I can confidently Phillips has only been home three times in move from unit to unit,” Okafor said. “A the last three years. She talks to her kids patient is a patient. There is no difference here.” and husband on the phone every day, but it’s not the same. Simply talking about the Soon, the stress of moving to a new country separation from her family brought tears Best Friends’ subsided and she became more comfortable to her eyes. with the different technologies available to Commitment nurses in Canada. “It hasn’t been an easy experience. We knew what we were in for but we didn’t In 2006, things got even better. Her best friend to Care Spans think it would take so long to bring my from Nigeria, Faustina Phillips, decided she family over,” Phillips said. “Hopefully they wanted to become a nurse in Canada. They Two Continents will be here soon.” grew up together in Nigeria, so they thought it would be a good fit to nurse together in Phillips’ husband is a doctor and they have Canada. They soon became known at the been trying to figure out the process to help Victoria Hospital as sisters, occasionally him become licensed in Canada. They are showing up for work in the same scrubs. still working out the details.

Blessing Okafor (left) and Faustina Phillips “I wanted to try to see what nursing was like in other countries and make more freedom for my kids, but I was met with a very difficult time trying to integrate.”

8 MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 Blessing Okafor See Manitba Nurses’ Union A COMMITMENT TO CARING what’s newww. News Briefs www.manitobanurses.ca Nurses march to Grey-listing lifted the Legislature in Dauphin Dozens of emergency room nurses The Manitoba Nurses’ Union lifted the from across Canada marched to the grey-listing of Dauphin Regional Legislature Building to raise awareness Health Centre. of their work. MNU President Sandi Mowat said she The nurses were in town for the is hopeful that the progress made since National Emergency Nursing Affiliation the hiring ban was imposed will continue. (NENA) conference. They walked from “Both sides have worked hard to the Delta Hotel to the Legislature. resolve issues,” Mowat said. “We are The nurses gathered to celebrate committed to continue the process.” the work of emergency room nurses in The grey-listing was put into place Canada and raise awareness of NENA. as a result of poor work conditions and patient safety concerns. Nurses were advised by the union not to apply at the hospital, which was already short dozens of nurses. UPDATED As a result of a mediator’s work, conditions at the facility have improved WEEKLY enough to remove the grey-listing.

Petition against Fast and easy access to: CBS decision to n News Affecting Nurses replace nurses The Manitoba Nurses’ Union recently n Front Lines Newsletters launched a petition against the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) decision to replace n Reports and Publications nurses with unlicensed workers. By doing do, CBS will endanger Canada’s n Upcoming Events blood supply. One of the most critical elements n Education and Training to ensuring a safe blood supply is the careful screening and assessment of n Collective Agreements all potential blood donors. Currently, nurses are responsible for n Contract Comparisons screening and assessing all potential donors. The proposal by Canadian Blood n Wages and Benefits Services to replace nurses with unlicensed workers poses a serious threat to Canada’s n Member Discount Program blood supply. Only nurses have the education and experience to deal with n MNU Merchandise the many complexities of screening potential donors. n Board, Committees, Staff As professionals, nurses are accountable to the public through their licensing bodies. Unlicensed workers are not bound n Member Applications by any code of ethics or regulations. Please sign the on-line petition to n Current Job Postings show your support.

http://www.petitiononline.com/wpgnurse/

MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 9 President’s Tour

Morden/Winkler – Boundary Trails Health Centre Surgery-Obstetrics Unit Centre: Tina Waldner

The Central Regional Health Authority This second journey into the region started from Winnipeg, south along the region’s eastern boundary, following the Red River and Highway 75 to the U.S. border at Emerson (above). The Red River was close to cresting during our visit.

Leg 16 Central Region: Emerson, Altona, Winkler, Morden, Carman, Portage la Prarie

Morden/Winkler – Boundary Trails Health Centre Top: ICU nurse Sherie Plett Above Left: Rebecca Stiff, UM grad nurse; Medical Unit Above Right: (l-r) Medical Unit nurses Mary Hiebert; Lisa Thiessen; and Candice Martens

Right: Donna McKenzie, Central Region President (left) bumps into her old friend and bridesmaid, Diana Kissick, Discharge Coordinator at Boundary Trails

Altona – Altona Health Centre Top: (l-r) Donna McKenzie, Central Region President; Sandi Mowat, MNU President; and Christie Ginter; Altona Local 33 President (with daughter Aria helping mom lead the tour of Altona Health Centre) Center: Mom’s little helper, Aria Ginter Bottom: (l-r) Sandi Mowat with Altona Local 33 President, Christie Ginter, and Vice-President, Tracy Bergen

Emerson – Health District Top: (l-r) Margaret Johnston, MNU Board Member for the Central Region; Debi Schroeder, Red River Valley Local 35 President; Sandi Mowat, MNU President; and Donna McKenzie, Central Region President Winkler – Eden Mental Centre/Left: Adam Ruston - Recent LPN graduate of Health Centre Assiniboine College Above: Elfrieda Krahn Centre/Right: Brad Street, Director of Health Services – (left) and Edith Calder, Red River Valley Health District (left) meets with Director of Health Morden/Winkler – Boundary Trails Health Centre Sandi Mowat Services, Eden Mental Top: (l-r) Mary Reimer; Sara Martens; Sandi Mowat; Bottom: (l-r) Sandi Mowat; Phyllis Rondeau; Health Centre and Brent Gunthro on the Dialysis unit Donna McKenzie; and Margaret Johnston Right: James Klassen, Bottom: (l-r) Sandi Mowat with Geriatric Rehab nurses, Eden Mental Health Centre Nurses Local President (left) Linda Krahn; Jane McMahon; Ashlie Hoeppner; and with Cindy Hunter, MNU Board Member Central Region Esther Driedger 10 MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 – Personal Care Top (square): Jane Tully (left) and Diana Beaulieu, Lions Manor Nurses Worksite 37 Co-President Top (circle): Catherine Asham, Lions Manor – Client Services Manager (left) with Angie Troop Carman – Boyne Lodge Bottom: (l-r) Sandi Mowat with Kim Dengate and Left: Carol Jeanson Right: (l-r) Margaret Johnston, MNU Board Member Anne Bayley at Douglas Campbell Lodge (left) and Val Giesbrecht for Central Region; Sandi Mowat, MNU President; Joyce Robinson; Mary Heard, Director of Health Services; Cindy Hunter, MNU Board Member for Central Region; and Donna McKenzie, Central Region President

Carman – Memorial Hospital Left: Marie MacLean, Carmen Nurses Worksite 89 Right: Donna McKenzie (left) catches up with her former President (left) with Sandi Mowat, MNU President nursing student from Grace Hospital, Shannon Rutter

Portage la Prairie – Portage Hospital Top (circle): (l-r) Pat Nodrick, Portage Hospital Director of Health Services, guides Sandi Mowat and Donna McKenzie through the construction of the new Emergency Department Centre (circle): Surgical nurses Ken Werbiski (back), Portage la Prairie – Public Health Michelle Jack (seated) Carla Robinson (right) Top Left: Touring the Top Right: Public Health Centre (square): ICU nurses Amanda Sainsbury (left) Public Health offices nurse, Tracy Ediger and Tanis Macaulay, with MNU President Sandi Mowat Bottom left: Bottom Right: Public (centre, standing) Donna McKenzie Health – putting Bottom: (l-r) Dialysis nurses Shelley McDougall; (left) with Public Health “Front Lines” Cheryl Longmuir; and Michelle Vielfaure nurse, Nancy Brook to good use MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 11 BARGAININGBARGAINING ’09’09

Negotiations Across Canada Nurses’ Union Review

British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU) They reached a tentative agreement to extend the current provincial contract. While there is no general The Collective Bargaining Conference to prepare for upcoming negotiations wage increase, the 24-month extension provides a was held in Winnipeg May 12. Approximately 130 members were there to 3 per cent labour market adjustment in 2010 and represent the concerns of nurses in locals and worksites throughout Manitoba. in 2011. There is also new language around a joint quality work life committee that will address key MNU President Sandi Mowat gave the Canadian bargaining perspective for nursing practice and patient care issues. nurses, outlining the progress of nurses union bargaining across the country, and Chief Negotiator Sudhir Sandhu outlined the priorities for this round of United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) Their current agreement expires on March 31, 2010. bargaining.

The PCBC started meeting in January to develop the initial bargaining strategies. Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) Their current agreement expires March 31, 2012.

THE 2009 BARGAINING PRIORITIES INCLUDE: n Wages, premiums, benefits and pension protection Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) n Safe working conditions and work life balance Their current agreement expires March 31, 2011. ONA also reported 1,000 EFT deletions to date n Recruitment and retention for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. They expect 4,000 EFT losses in hospitals alone for 2009-2010.

2009 PROVINCIAL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING COMMITTEE:

Karen Taylor – Assiniboine Region Federation des Infirmieres du Quebec (FIQ) Wanda Zolinski – Brandon Region Their current agreement expires March 31, 2010. Cindy Hunter – Central Region Darlene Jackson – Churchill/Burntwood/Nor Man Region Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union (NSNU) Renate McGowan – Eastman (North & South) Region Their current agreement expires October 31, 2009. Yvonne Oxer – Sudhir Sandhu, Karen McPhee – MNU Chief Negotiator New Brunswick Nurses’ Union (NBNU) Dawn Thompson – Winnipeg LTC & CC Region They ratified a three-year agreement in January that Kim Swanson – Grace/Victoria Nurses includes wage increases of 11.5 per cent over three Lana Penner – Health Sciences Centre Nurses years and an additional 3 per cent for nurses with Karen Terlinski – Misericordia/Riverview Nurses 25 years of services (2 per cent January, 2009 and Debbie Mintz – St. Boniface Nurses 1 per cent January, 2010). Mary Lakatos – Seven Oaks/Concordia Nurses This agreement gives them wage parity with NSNU. The new agreement also addresses shift premiums as well as stand-by and on-call premiums.

12 MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 T

R approximately six years. MNU will be looking to find a solution to create a COLA fund EPO

R similar to the civil service, teachers and civic BARGAINING ’09 pensions plans. It should be realized that BARGAINING ’09 unless there is initial “seed” money for a COLA fund, it make take some years to build this fund. ELATIONS R

Negotiations Across Canada Nurses’ Union Review R Group Health Update All the stakeholders and service providers have gone the long mile to ensure nurses have been able to access the New Enhanced Prince Edward Island Nurses’ Union (PEINU) Group Health Plan. The focus over the The union announced March 26 that it had received summer will be to get all those members MNU – LABOU the arbitrator’s decision that finalized a new contract. who were not previously enrolled in any The award provides for a three-year agreement from plan enrolled in the new plan. April 1, 2008 until March 31, 2011 and includes Pension If you have not joined the group wage increases of four per cent in each of the first health plan or if you are on disability, two years. The parties will have to go back to the & Benefits LOA or education LOA please contact negotiating table to determine the wage rate for Review your employer. the final year. This is known as a wage reopener. The dispute over the pensionability of a new senior Bob Romphf, Labour Relations Officer – Benefits nurse retention incentive has also been settled. Health Spending Account The provision will provide an additional three per The Health Spending Account will come cent to those who have been nursing for 25 years into place in April, 2010. Nurses will have or more. The arbitrator awarded that the provision hours assessed and anyone with less than will be a non-pensionable premium until such time 1500 hours will get $125 HSA. Anyone who Pension as the nurse receiving the premium is eligible for has greater than 1,500 hours will get $250 an unreduced pension. It is estimated that 70 to 80 per cent of the HSA. This can be applied to their Dental and long-term success of pension plans depends Group Health Benefits. Effective April 2011, on investment return. It appears markets are these levels rise to $250 and $500 HSA. This Newfoundland and Labrador stabilizing and turning, but it will take a long is a major improvement and may allow MNU Nurses’ Union (NLNU) period to recover from the global financial to expand this area in the future. Their contract expired June 30, 2008. Things have devastation of the last year. not gone well to date and the NLNU did hold strike Members are clearly focused on preserving DISABILITY AND REHAB PLAN votes throughout the province during the month pension benefits as a top priority. MNU is of March. The vote was 90.1 per cent in favour of the majority stakeholder in HEPP, but as a Members are encouraged to ensure strike. Since that time, they received a final offer partner in joint trusteeship we are strongly employers have notified HEBP through a from the government and the NLNU took it to the committed to work with our MCHCU sister “Notice of Absence.” This generates the membership with a recommendation of rejection. unions to preserve our core pension benefits. D&R application form to be sent to nurses. The issue of concern is language that would allow There will be more detailed information Members are strongly encouraged to ensure the government to pay an individual nurse higher available in late summer 2009. they have union representation at rehab wages or benefits than other nurses already working and return to work meetings initiated by in the same area in order to recruit or retain that HEBP and WCB. individual. The government is also seeking the right COLA Update to terminate nurses who are determined to be Nurses are realizing as the current situation If you have any questions concerning pension, retirement, disability or other benefits please permanently disabled as a result of their job after exists that unless investment markets two years of being on full extended earnings loss contact Bob Romphf, Labour Relations Officer – dramatically change they may be facing Benefits at 1-800-669-0043 or 942-1320. benefits. retirement with no inflation protection. Nurses followed the union’s recommendation with HEPP has not paid COLA or pension for 63 per cent voting to reject the offer. Nurses were set to begin and overtime strike on May 20. After a long night of negotiating, NLNU struck a tentative deal the morning the overtime strike was set to begin.

MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 13 Nurse Ab use Information from a Statistics Canada study reports that less than half of abuse incidents are reported. Aside from learning effective ways to avoid abuse all together, we do need to speak up and report James all incidents of abuse, in order to get things done. Klassen President Local 120

Rhonda Edmonds has seen it all – nurses ...said verbal abuse punched in the face, kicked in the groin and put into a headlock by a patient. of nurses at mental “I was clipping a patient’s nails and he just health facilities is a punched me in the face,” Edmonds said. daily occurrence. “He had Alzheimer’s and those patients can be so strong.” Abuse against nurses is all too common. Almost half of all Manitoba nurses experienced “The sun goes down and Alzheimer’s patients physical or emotional abuse and accept it as get more agitated and more violent,” Edmonds part of the job, according to a recent Statistics said. “Days aren’t so bad, but in the evenings Canada study. The statistics were formulated with less staff on its chaos.” using data from a 2005 national survey of the The top three most dangerous areas to work work and health of nurses. include geriatrics and long-term care, palliative Rhonda Edmonds, a nurse at Luther Home and care and mental health, the study showed. Edmonds President of Local 102, said she encourages James Klassen, Local 120 President and nurse President nurses to report both physical and emotional at Eden Mental Health Centre, said verbal Local 102 abuse. But the Statistics Canada study said that abuse of nurses at mental health facilities many nurses won’t report workplace abuse is a daily occurrence. because they feel no action will be taken. ... encourages “With our clientele, you expect they could A trend in reporting abuse on the job is probably lose control and there is a good nurses to report emerging in Canada. Around 42 per cent possibility you would be abused,” Klassen both physical and of nurses with less than five years on the said. “When someone is quite sick you emotional abuse. job reported abuse. Less than one third would watch for it. Our advantage over a who filed complaints had been on the job hospital is we can seclude people if they for more than 20 years. become aggressive.” The study looked at several workplace climate The study showed that a higher percentage factors – nurse-physician working relations, of male nurses experienced abuse on the supervisor support, co-worker support, job compared to female nurses. Emotional staffing and resources. Edmonds said staffing abuse was reported by 55 per cent of Canadian shortages on night shifts could lead to male nurses compared to 46 per cent of potentially dangerous situations for nurses. female nurses.

14 MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 T

R Briscoe first heard about this campaign at the Annual Safe Healthcare Conference held EPO

R recently in Winnipeg. Chris Back, the Director Researchers say male nurses are at a higher of Injury Prevention for the Occupational risk since they have greater exposure to Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare violent patients and they may be protective (OHSAH) in B.C., presented on workplace of female staff. violence and the recent prevention campaign. ELATIONS

“I know that when we call the police, because R The campaign uses the slogan “Care for

that’s our backup, probably at times just even R those who care for you” to bring awareness them showing up is enough,” Klassen said. of workplace violence prevention in the “It’s the presence of some authority figure.” healthcare sector. The campaign included a media blitz with T.V. commercials, posters and Yvonne Oxer, Interlake Local President, finally newspaper advertisements that compared got long-awaited changes to security at the violence in hockey to violence in healthcare. Selkirk General Hospital after a nurse was A Calgary Flames player from Campbell River MNU – LABOU abused. A few years ago, a nurse was was the spokesman for the campaign. The punched three times in the face by a patient. results should be released in June. “Enough is enough already,” Oxer said. Our nurses have “You think hockey is a rough sport, consider “I thought ‘What can we do?’” the right to a the issues you see in healthcare,” Back said in The union decided to have an information an interview with Front Lines. “It definitely picket outside of the hospital unless the issue Safe Workplace had an impact. People are talking about it of nurse abuse was addressed. and a lot of the health care workers thought Shauna Briscoe, Labour Relations Officer it was a great campaign.” Eventually, the hospital got security cameras, swipe card access to the emergency room and OHSAH teamed up with the B.C. Ministry of signs posted that warned patients against Health and several other local organizations, abusing nurses. including heathcare unions and Worksafe BC. They launched the campaign in the small city If you have experienced either emotional or of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. They physical abuse on the job, report it to your A television commercial pairs chose a city small enough to keep track of supervisor or local president. video images of hockey players the results, but one that has long-term, acute with a voice-over talking about and community care. getting punched, kicked and The campaign was sparked, in part, by the 2006 death of a hospital volunteer in Campbell roughed around. River. Phyllis Hards died after she was violently attacked by a patient. That heightened aware- ness that violence prevention strategies were needed, Back said. The average viewer might surmise it’s a commercial about violence in hockey. Instead, Eventually, Back says the campaign could it compares hockey to violence in nursing – become province-wide. After the T.V. ads part of a social marketing campaign in and posters are released to the public, other British Columbia. The idea is that hockey provinces can adapt the campaign to fit their players get penalties for breaking the rules, needs. Briscoe says a violence-prevention so why don’t patients? campaign like this one would be useful in Manitoba. “This is a very relevant and important issue Yvonne facing our nurses working in every area of “Employers can’t afford to ignore this Oxer healthcare,” MNU Labour Relations Officer important health and safety issue facing President Shauna Briscoe said. “Each day our nurses nurses today,” Briscoe said. “MNU is Interlake are faced with the very complex challenge committed to achieving violence and abuse of balancing the needs and realities of their free work environments through education, patient’s medical conditions, the expectations collective bargaining and lobbying the ... finally got long- of patient’s families and visitors and their own government. Our nurses deserve the right personal safety.” to a safe workplace.” awaited changes to security after a nurse was abused. MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 15 Acr oInformationss and issues Cfrom acrossanada the country

BCNU UNA “Although vacancies have declined from last year, we still have a 10 per cent vacancy rate,” British Columbia Alberta Longmoore said. “We have to move quickly Legal victory for BCNU OT blamed for budget problems to fill vacancies, integrate newly hired nurses The British Columbia Supreme Court found Alberta’s Health and Wellness Minister Ron and stabilize nursing practice environments, that elements of the government’s election Liepert tried to blame nurses’ overtime for if we are to outrun looming retirements.” gag law are unconstitutional. health budget deficits in media interviews SUN reps say that the partnership between recently. The law restricts third-party election SUN and the Government of Saskatchewan advertising for five months before the “One of the largest cost factors is paying has created progress in several areas: next provincial election. overtime, double time, and triple time to • Salaries for Saskatchewan nurses are nurses,” Liepert told the Calgary Sun. BCNU President Debra McPherson called now competitive with other provinces the judicial decision “a victory for all British He said the government has a “horrible” • Vacancies have declined Columbians who believe in free speech and contract with nurses and the province needs democratic rights.” “a contract that better serves the members • Regional hiring targets have been of the nursing profession and better serves established for each Health Region McPherson says the election gag law restricts the taxpayers.” much more than what the general public • Regina, Sunrise, Saskatoon, and Prince would consider “election advertising,” such UNA responded by pointing out that it is Albert Parkland have made substantial as television, radio and newspaper ads. the nursing shortage, not nurses, that cause progress toward their hiring targets overtime costs. The government created the The provincial law also restricts the use of • Health regions that made progress toward shortage by laying off 5,000 nurses 15 years leaflets and other materials distributed to the their hiring targets over the last year have ago and cutting the nursing schools. public about meetings and other opportunities been reimbursed $14.5 million as a retro- to learn more on issues involving healthcare, “Mr. Liepert has a very simplistic interpretation active annual payment for the cost of each education and other public services. of the workforce here in the province when new position or filled vacancy. it comes to nursing,” UNA President Heather “We’re delighted that the judge understood Smith responded. “We’ve worked really hard that by trying to restrict free speech in this ONA with Alberta Health Services to try to bring way three months before an election, the Ontario in recruitment and retention initiatives. government was blatantly violating the Mr. Liepert, with these very irresponsible Campaign highlights shortage freedoms to campaign and communicate comments, has set us back in our efforts that belong to every citizen in a democracy,” ONA launched a powerful campaign called to keep new graduates in this province McPherson said. “We supported this “Cutting Nurses, Cutting Care” to lobby and to keep nurses working.” important court challenge under the Charter the Ontario government, employers and of Rights and Freedoms because our educate the public on the alarming move to government should be doing all it can to SUN cut nursing hours and positions in an attempt to balance their budgets. protect and defend the rights of citizens.” Saskatchewan The B.C. Nurses’ Union, CUPE B.C., the B.C. Nursing vacancies decline A reduction of nursing hours combined with Teachers’ Federation, and the Federation of a shortage and the Ontario government’s Post-Secondary Educators of B.C. challenged Health Minister Don McMorris and SUN plans to delay a promised 9,000 additional the law in the province’s supreme court. President Rosalee Longmoore reported nurses for several years will put patients at risk. that health regions now employ 159 more RNs and RPNs than last year, achieving The campaign includes radio, television, 20 per cent of the 800 target set by the bus shelter, billboard and electronic ads. SUN/Government Partnership. A website has also been set up for the campaign and can be found at Nursing vacancies have declined slightly, from www.cuttingnursescuttingcare.ca. 793 last fall to 617 in December.

16 MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 Acr oInformationss and issues Cfrom acrossanada the country

NBNU The new act came about with the support NLNU of other healthcare professionals, including New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador physicians and pharmacists, as well as Union settles remaining contracts employers and unions representing Overtime strike averted Prior to the tabling of the 2009-2010 budget registered nurses. After a long night of negotiating, the in New Brunswick, public sector unions were Highlights include: Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses’ Union called to a meeting with the Premier, the (NLNU) struck a tentative deal, avoiding a Minister of Finance, the Department of Health • Enhanced definitions of the practice of strike set to begin May 20. and the Office of Human Resources to hear nursing and practice of nurse practitioner Government officials contacted the union about a Wage Restraint Policy that would to help clarify the scope of practice of around 9:30 p.m. May 19 to see if they could be introduced budget day, March 17, 2009. RNs and NPs for the public and other key stakeholders hammer out a last minute deal to avoid a Union leaders were forewarned that any strike or lockout. Both sides compromised to contracts that were not ratified prior to that • It protects those with illness, mental health reach a four-year agreement. The potential date would be subject to a wage freeze in the problems or addiction. The name of a nurse strike was due to two language issues – the first two years of their contracts. The news who appears before a fitness to practice market adjustment and extended earnings set off an effort on the part of unions to committee will not have their name loss provisions, not the government’s salary ratify tentative agreements prior to March 17 published. proposals. or be subjected to the two-year freeze. • Authorizing nurse practitioners to prescribe “Both sides saw that if there was a way to As part of the Wage Restraint Policy, it was more drugs, order more screening and avoid compromising patient care, then we announced that all collective agreements diagnostic tests, and perform specific both had an obligation to avoid that,” NLNU would be honoured. Under the new negoti- procedures according to the needs of President Debbie Forward told CBC News. ating mandate provisions, there would be no their patients. “That’s what happened last night. It was increase in wages or other monetary benefits crunch time, and in crunch time we were for a two-year period for all employees. What PEINU able to achieve something that both sides this meant for the New Brunswick Nurses’ are satisfied with and we can recommend.” Prince Edward Island Union is that it had to ratify tentative agree- Before the latest agreement was reached ments for nursing homes, nurse managers and Changes to acute care proposed May 20, the government’s final offer had a supervisors before the March 17 deadline. A pilot proposed in acute care will bring in provision that gave them the power to pay Salary increases for the nursing home nurses, unregulated health workers on a medical a nurse higher wages or benefits than other nurse managers and supervisors mirror the unit. These “patient care workers” (PCWs) nurses already in the same area to recruit or hospital group with wage increases of 11.5 will provide assistance in areas such as retain that individual. The new agreement per cent over the three-year contract that positioning, feeding and bathing patients. will prohibit this. runs from January 1, 2008 to December 31, “It remains frustrating that pilots are being Members will vote on the agreement that 2010. A retention premium for nurses with implemented and changes to services are the union is recommending they accept. more than 25 years of active registration adds occurring with minimal to no input from an additional three percent increase over the the union,” President Barbara Brookins said. term of the contract. “Although we recognize that the employer has the ability to make systemic changes, NSNU I regularly communicate with both the employer and government that these changes Nova Scotia would occur more smoothly if the nurses Act supports nurses with addictions are able to be part of the decision-making A new Registered Nurses Act was created process.” in Nova Scotia, allowing nurses to do more within their scope of practice and providing the public with improved access to critical health services.

MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 17 where there’s smoke... II Cautery issues at St. Boniface Hospital updated

The first-ever Canadian standards have been released to protect operating room staff from toxic plume created by surgical knives and lasers. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) guidelines are aimed at places that use tissue-burning tools, including hospitals. The standards offer advice on what kind of equipment to buy, how to use it and how to maintain it. “The fact that there was nothing in place to get rid of this plume was a huge problem,” said Susan Taylor, a nurse in London, Ont. who helped design the standards. “A doctor who worked in a research lab for 15 years developed lung cancer from the plume.” Surgical plume can make its way past surgical masks and into the lungs. The CSA says During an hour-long surgery, the more than 600 organic compounds in plume can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract, kidney damage, headaches, drowsiness and stomach pain. Plume the plume from cauterization also includes blood, putting nurses in danger of contracting blood-borne diseases. During an hour-long surgery, the plume from cauterization lingers for 20 minutes. lingers for 20 minutes. That That is the equivalent to smoking six unfiltered cigarettes, Taylor said. is the equivalent to smoking Surgical plume in operating rooms has been a long-standing issue for the Manitoba Nurses’ Union. In 2007, nurses protested having ConMed machines in the operating six unfiltered cigarettes. room at St. Boniface Hospital. The machines are less effective and don’t meet CSA standards, said Debbie Mintz, president of the St. Boniface local. The plume evacuator must be less than two inches away from the plume in order for it to be effective. “We have to hold the WHRA and the employer accountable for making these decisions,” Mintz said. “It’s a big deal for nurses.” Mintz appealed to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) to look at the new standards and adopt them as needed into operating rooms. The director of the St. Boniface surgical program, Lance Barber, recently had all of the ConMed machines removed from operating rooms so they can be upgraded to meet CSA standards.

“It’s a big deal for nurses.”

Debbie Mintz, President, St. Boniface Local

18 MNU Front Lines Magazine Issue Three 2009 YOUR MNU 2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Committees Sandi Mowat, President for the 2009 Term Val Wotton, Vice President * Denotes Chairperson Fern Beasse, Secretary Treasurer

Janice McDonald, Assiniboine Region Executive Committee Holly Cadieux, Assiniboine Region * Sandi Mowat, President Val Wotton, Vice-President Elsie Karnes, Brandon Region Fern Beasse, Secretary Treasurer Sheila Holden, Member-at-large Sherie Tomiski, Brandon Region Betty Loewen, Member-at-large Yvonne Oxer, Member-at-large Cindy Hunter, Central Region

Finance Committee Margaret Johnston, Central Region

* Fern Beasse, Secretary Treasurer Cherryl Lenton, Churchill/Burntwood Region Sandi Mowat, President Val Wotton, Vice-President Tracy Bassa, Eastman Region Colleen Johanson Kim Fraser Yvonne Oxer, Interlake Region Cindy Hunter Terri O’Rourke, Nor Man Region Education Committee Shaunna Watt-Dorscheid, Parkland Region * Holly Cadieux Margaret Johnston, Appointed Colleen Johanson, Seven Oaks Local 72 Bluma Levine Yvonne Oxer, Appointed Debbie Winterton, Victoria Local 3 Shaunna Watt-Dorscheid Karen Terlinski, Misericordia Local 2 Nominations Committee Gwen Desautels, Grace Local 41 * Tracy Bassa Cherryl Lenton Sheila Holden, St. Boniface Local 5 Donna McKenzie Diana Martinson, St. Boniface Local 5 Resolutions and Constitution Betty Loewen, Concordia Local 27 * Cindy Hunter Cherryl Lenton Dana Orr, Riverview Local 1a Dana Orr Kim Fraser, Health Sciences Local 10 Discipline Committee

* Kim Fraser Lana Penner, Health Sciences Local 10 Charlotte Adolphe Charlotte Adolphe, Winnipeg Long-Term Care/Comm. Care Region Holly Cadieux Clive Derham, Appointed Bluma Levine, Winnipeg Long-Term Care/Comm. Care Region Heather Grant-Jury, Appointed

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