BCNU Update Magazine May-June 2013

MaY/JUNe 2013

tackliNg workload with the New NBa coNtract laNguage

BILL 18 UNITES NURSES IN ONE BARGAINING ASSOCIATION

thompsoN North okaNagaN Nurses staNd for social housiNg

UPDATE british CoLumbia nurses’ union

BCNU STEWARDS ARE BUILDING BETTER WORKPLACES

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proviNcial electioN 2013 pull-out

CONVENTION 2013

WWW.BCNU.orG

STANDING UP FOR HEALTHCARE

WE’RE THE BCNU

MAKING A DIFFERENCE scott duvall, manjit parmar and Bev pudwell are just three of the many BcNu stewards committed to building safe, healthy and respectful workplaces

national day oF mourninG For workers injured or killed on the job.

Let’s honour their memory by committing to work together to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the workplace.

DeLiVeriNG QUaLitY Care MeaNS WorKiNG iN a SaFe aND heaLthY eNViroNMeNt.

update magazine May/June 2013

UPDATE

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CONTENTS VOL 32 NO 2

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MAY/JUNE 2013

upfroNt

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Check in

BCNU members around the province are making news.

10 Bill 18

Legislation is enacted bringing all nurses into one bargaining association.

11 Building Better workplaces BCNU stewards are leaders at their worksites.

15 steward elections

It’s time to nominate and vote for the member who’ll represent you.

16 tackling workload

BCNU is working to ensure employers honour new contract language.

24 Nurses’ votes Count

Provincial election 2013 is an opportunity for nurses to have their voices heard.

26 Parties Respond

Nurses’ priorities are addressed by the four major parties.

departmeNts

RALLy AT BC WOMEN’S HOSPITAL & HEALTH CENTRE North West Chair Sharon Sponton and South islands Co-chair adriane Gear get their message out March 7.

5 presideNt’s report 17 your peNsioN 32 prfs work 34 who caN help?

35 off duty

feature

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ConVention 2013

“Keep the promise!” was the message heard loud and clear as delegates from around the province attended bCnu’s annual Convention in march.

time to talk to your steward? our pull-out booklet on page 11 tells you when.

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BC Nurses’ Union

UPDATE MAGAZINE

oUr MiSSioN StateMeNt bCnu protects and advances the health, social and economic well-being of our members and our communities.

BCNU UPDate is published by the bC nurses’ union, an independent Canadian union governed by a council elected by our 40,000 members. signed articles do not necessarily represent official bCnu policies. eDitor Lew macDonald CoNtriBUtorS Juliet Chang, sharon Costello, David Cubberley, Gary Fane, monica Ghosh, Dan Kruk, robert macquarrie, Debra mcpherson, art moses, patricia wejr PhotoS sharon Costello, David Cubberley, Lew macDonald, robert macquarrie, Christine sorensen

CoNtaCt US bCnu Communications Department 4060 regent street, burnaby, bC, V5C 6p5 phone 604.433.2268 toLL Free 1.800.663.9991 FaX 604.433.7945 toLL Free FaX 1.888.284.2222 bCnu website bcnu.org emaiL eDitor lmacdonald@bcnu.org MoViNG? please send change of address to membership@bcnu.org. publications mail agreement 40834030 return undeliverable

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NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY JUNE 21, 2013

Canadian addresses to bCnu, 4060 regent street, burnaby, bC, V5C 6p5

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president’s Report

Debra McPherson

nurses’ votes count

photo: Chris Cameron

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his issue of Update magazine is all about democracy.

That’s one of our union’s core values, and the coming weeks will provide BCNU members with important opportunities to exercise and celebrate it.

Democracy means you, as a member of BCNU, get a chance to vote for the people who will represent you in your union. At BCNU everybody’s vote matters.

For example, this issue includes information about steward elections and stories about the important work our stewards are doing every day. I encourage members to get involved by standing for election, encouraging colleagues to stand, and by casting a vote for stewards in your workplace on June 11, the day steward elections will be held across the province. ( June 11 is also BCNU Day, which marks the establishment of BCNU as an independent democratic union.)

Now more than ever our stewards must be able – or willing to learn how – to face employers who are engaged in yet another round of “restructuring”, are refusing to implement our negotiated collective agreement language on workload and the 37.5 hour workweek, are running attendance management programs that are punitive and coercive, and are generally turning a blind eye to the devastation of nearly a decade of cuts and of nurses being asked to do “more with less”. Now it’s your time to choose who will best advocate for you, lead campaigns in your workplace, and enforce the collective agreement.

There’s another opportunity coming to exercise democracy and make nurses’ votes count. Soon you, your families and friends will get the chance to use your votes to decide who will form the next government in BC. I encourage members to get involved and make your voice heard – as nurses and as citizens. The future of our health care system and our profession are at stake.

update magazine May/June 2013

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Please learn more about the issues, meet the candidates, listen to debates in the news media, raise issues at all-candidates’ meetings, and talk up your concerns with families and friends. Above all, make sure you’re registered to vote, and make that trip to the ballot box to cast your vote on May 14 or in one of the advanced polls from May 8-11.

This magazine provides some of the tools to help. There’s a leaflet inside highlighting what we consider to be the main issues nurses face. The leaflet has been translated into Chinese and Punjabi to be handed out at community events.

The magazine also contains responses from the main political parties to our questions on nurses’ key issues.

What’s our message to the politicians?

Whoever forms the next government must keep the promise made to nurses and our patients for safe patient care through safe staffing and improved healthcare services.

Democracy means politicians can’t ignore nurses’ concerns, because we’re members of a profession with the greatest level of public respect.

The provincial government showed it could not ignore nurses and had to respect democracy when it finally signed Bill 18, enabling LPNs to move into the Nurses’ Bargaining Association alongside RNs and RPNs. This will be good for healthcare, good for nurses and above all, good for democracy.

It’s the final step in a process that was all about democracy. When health authority LPNs staged their long fight and won the opportunity to decide freely – by secret ballot – whether to stay in their former unions or join BCNU, they were exercising their fundamental right to choose positive change within a democratic society. Now other nurses are seeking the same democratic right to choose.

Congratulations and thank you to all the nurses – RNs, RPNs and LPNs – who worked so hard to make Bill 18 happen, with your postcards, petitions, emails and phone calls to MLAs and cabinet ministers.

This spring let’s all celebrate the achievement. And let’s continue to embrace democracy by using the opportunities to make nurses’ votes count at work and in our society. update

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CHECK IN

News from around the province

Sechelt nurses participate in oneday move at St. Mary’s

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or nurses working at St. Mary’s Community Hospital in Sechelt, the weeks of planning were well worth the effort as they helped execute a one-day move of patients into a new facility at their worksite.

Nurses and other hospital staff executed a seamless move into the newly constructed tower at the hospital on March 25.

Preparations were so detailed that they even included an incident command post for any quick solutions needed on moving day. Nurses spent the day busily packing up their work stations and prepping patients for the move that was carried out by a team of professional movers.

Three years after first breaking ground, the $44-million St. Mary’s hospital expansion was finally ready to receive patients

PRECIOUS CARGO Nurses Amber Sopow (left) and Catt Popp (right) with patient Celina Ivanoff and newborn Briella Jayde, the last baby born in the old wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in Sechelt.

BCNU BLASTS PHSA FOR CRISIS CONDITIONs AT BC WOMEN’S HOSPITAL

and the entire nursing team was feeling upbeat about their new home.

The new St. Mary’s medical tower is more than twice the size of its former space and now meets the highest standards for patient care, infection control, and green building design. The building is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold building in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.

“The design of new facility will allow for more privacy, and the additional space is welcome,” says Coastal Mountain Chair Kath-Ann Terrett – who was quick to add that nurse-patient staffing issues remain a problem that the health authority must address.

The new tower adds five surgical beds to help meet growing demand from a dispersed population of nearly 30,000, single patient rooms with bathrooms to minimize risks of infection, and larger emergency and radiology departments.

St. Mary’s first opened in 1962 as a 41-bed acute care facility on 11 acres of land donated by the Sechelt Indian Band. The hospital provides a full range of services – from renal, to rehab, to emergency, trauma and birthing – and receives over 17,000 visits a year. update

When nurses rallied in front BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre during last month’s BCNU Convention, they were there to deliver a strong message to Provincial Health Services Authority President and CEO Lynda Cranston (see story on page 16). Nurses were fed up with working conditions and said it was time for PHSA to keep the promise of safe staffing for safe patient care and end the hospital’s excessive use of overtime hours to provide care to mothers and babies.

Conditions at the hospital have only worsened since the March rally. “The nurses have been working below essential service levels with 14 instead of the required 19 nurses on the night shift,” says Shaughnessy Heights Chair Claudette Jut. “Because so many regular nursing positions are vacant, the hospital has become addicted to nurses working overtime, with around 40 percent of the nursing hours paid at overtime rates.

Nurses are exhausted and can’t take it anymore,” wrote BCNU President Debra McPherson in an open letter to Cranston published in the Vancouver Sun April 20.

Jut says that the union is gathering testimonials from nurses and filing grievances for breach of contract because it didn’t divert patients to Richmond Hospital when it should have.

“It’s time for Cranston to tell mothers seeking care at BC Women’s there may not be enough nurses there when they need them,” says McPherson.

“They should be referred to other hospitals where there are enough nurses and where they can get the care they need.”

update magazine May/June 2013

BCNU welcomes removal of 250-hour practice reference requirement for IENs

On March 13, 2013, the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) removed the requirement for 250 hours of supervised practice when an Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) has passed the national exam and is waiting to begin work in BC. BCNU has been advocating for the change for more than two years.

The onus had previously been on provincial health employers to assist IENs trying to fulfill their 250-hour requirement. However, they were not always uniform in their dealings with IENs. BCNU believes the removal of a redundant step is a positive change toward addressing the shortage of nurses in BC. Applicants who will be affected by these changes will be informed

by June 1, 2013.

making news budget concerns

BCNU supports Kamloops Pride Parade

Kamloops Daily News

professional issues

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bcnu in the headlines

istic given the pressures on When the provincial governhealthcare and education. penticton care tower ment released its 2013 In a recent letter to the budget in February, many Penticton Western News, critics questioned the BCNU Thompson accuracy of North Okanagan the numbers.

Region Lobby BCNU Coastal Coordinator Kevin Mountain Barry spoke out Region Chair about the Interior Kath-Ann Health Authority’s Terrett told the North Shore recent announceNews she was ment of plans for Coastal Mountain Chair concerned about Kath-Ann Terrett a new care tower the province’s in the community. ability to prop“The current plan erly address has no provision hallway nursing to deal with the with a modest hospital’s chronic 2.3 percent overcapacity increase in issues – for too health spendlong now the staff ing. “This is very have had to care TNO Lobby Coordinator frustrating to for patients in Kevin Barry us,” said Terrett, an overflow unit, echoing broader concerns hallway beds and old patient that the increase in spending lounges. Our patients and is the lowest estimate in the their families deserve past decade and is unrealbetter,” wrote Barry.

Kamloops Pride TNO Lobby Coordinator Kathy Moore, Men In Nursing caucus rep Gabriel Zamorano, TNO LGBT caucus rep Kirsten McLaughlin, BCNU VP Christine Sorensen, TNO Chair Tracy Quewezance, and Coastal Mountain chair Kath-Ann Terrett.

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he BCNU bus was on hand for Kamloops’ second annual Pride Parade on April 5 as nurses joined together with hundreds of supporters and members of the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

Thompson Rivers University students have been instrumental in getting the annual event started. An LGBTQ representative position was only recently created in the TRU Students’ Union.

“We must make progress and create pride-safe spaces – and this parade is a big part of that,” TRU Student’s Union’s LGBT representative Nic Zdunich told the Kamloops Daily News prior to the parade.

Participants wore colourful costumes and carried signs supporting same-sex marriage as the parade wound its way through the TRU campus.

Kirstin McLaughlin is BCNU’s Thompson North Okanagan LGBT Caucus representative. The Royal Inland Hospital nurse is very active in Kamloops LGBTQ community and was instrumental in lobbying Kamloops City Council to designate April 5 as the city’s official LGBTQ Day of Pride.

“Change might seem like it’s coming at a glacial pace and the victories small, but each one matters – look at Kamloops in the last year alone. Here we stand, celebrating the city’s second ever Pride Parade. That’s worth something,” said McLaughlin, speaking with local media. McLaughlin hopes that having an LGBTQ representative in the TRU Students’ Union helps guarantee that the event will continue. update

CHeCK in

SISTERS IN SOLIDARITy From left, nurse practitioner tania Dick, native women’s association of Canada president michelle audette and bCnu president Debra mcpherson.

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Aboriginal women. She said engaging with men and bringing families together is necessary in order to successfully tackle these issues. “It’s pulling together a strong family unit that will make us healthy again – everyone has a role,” said Audette.

An award ceremony recognized the work and contribution of Aboriginal Women in BC. Darlene Shackelly, executive Director of the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC, Judge Marion BullerBennett, B.C.’s first female First Nations judge, and native elder and teacher Dr. Janice Dick-Billy were honoured for their work.

“As an Aboriginal woman, I am proud to see BCNU supporting this event,” said Sorensen. “It’s important to recognize that Aboriginal women are leaders in our communities, and to honour their contributions.” event organizers say they will be requesting support from the federal government and the Assembly of First Nations in order to help make the Aboriginal Women of Distinction Gala an annual event. update

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He BC NATIVe WoMeN’S Association held its first Aboriginal Women of Distinction Gala in Kamloops March 23.

It was a special evening for all those in attendance – including BCNU President Debra McPherson, BCNU Vice President Christine Sorensen and members of BCNU’s Aboriginal Leadership Circle.

Tania Dick, BCNU’s point person on Aboriginal issues was one of the event’s keynote speakers. Dick spoke about the work that she and others in the nursing profession have been doing to ensure that the recently established First Nations Health Authority effectively serves the communities it was designed to help.

Dick encouraged attendees to be as active as possible in pushing for change. “It’s up to us to step up and get involved,” she said.

“Change won’t happen until we fully engage at the community level and we can no longer wait for others to heal us.”

Dick was joined by Native Women’s Association of Canada President Michelle Audette, who spoke about the importance of leadership and women’s special roles as healers, gatherers and givers of life. Audette shared information about her organization’s work on a national strategic plan on violence against women and on missing and murdered

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Bcnu Honours aBoriGinal Women

TIME

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ISLAND NURSES MAKE TIME FOR CHANGE

Vancouver Island ER nurses are feeling good about a local campaign they launched to make sure their employer pays them for handover time worked at the end of their shifts – and they are hoping other nurses will follow their lead.

Nurses at Victoria General Hospital were often having difficulties tracking handover time and knew that it was adding up to a lot of unpaid overtime.

Jayne Yearwood is a VGH worksite steward and BCNU South Island Lobby Coordinator. She says that since their “Time for Change” campaign was launched last December members have been paid out for the handover time they have logged and to-date have not had any problems from the employer.

Yearwood feels good about the interest that nurses across the province have taken in the VGH campaign. “There has been lots of interest from other nurses we met with at Convention and at the Regional Education meetings,” she says, noting that a similar campaign that was started more recently at Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital is also going well.

“We met recently with the ER staff at Nanaimo Regional General and Campbell River Hospitals and it looks like campaigns might start up there too,” says Yearwood. “The concept is really appealing – but also requires dedication from staff,” she says.

“The unpaid handover time was adding up to $40 or $50 per paycheque – it’s time to start charging the employer for time we are just giving away for free.”

update magazine May/June 2013

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

TNO NURSES STAND FOR SOCIAL HOUSING tention to the housing crisis in BC. “Housing is the number one determinant of health and a fundamental necessity for individual and social wellbeing,” says Moore.

According the SHCBC, over 100,000 British Columbians are homeless or under-housed. The organization is calling on the government of BC to build new social housing, protect and improve already existing TAKING A STAND Thompson North Okanagan nurses (from social housing, and support left to right) Judy Reed, Kathy Moore, Heather Grant and renters in their efforts to Teena Shymanski participate in an April 9 STAND for Housing in Kamloops. access safe, affordable and secure housing. hompson North “Private market housing cannot address Okanagan Region Lobby Cothis immense need,” says Moore. “The ordinator Kathy Moore is one provincial government must take action and of a growing number of British commit to a social housing strategy that will Columbians who are fed up meet the crisis head-on.” with the growing inequality in their commuMoore and her colleagues stand on the nities. The Kamloops nurse has joined with corner of 3rd Avenue and Columbia Street friends and colleagues to participate in the in Kamloops Social Housing Coalition of BC’s STANDS The idea of a STAND is based on the for Housing – a province-wide event held action of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, every Saturday from 12-1pm to bring atan association of Argentine mothers whose

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WHAT IS “SOCIAL HOUSING”?

The meaning of social housing can sometimes be confusing and misleading. According to the Social Housing Coalition of BC, social housing is: • non-institutional housing that is owned by government, a non-profit group or co-op.

• not run for profit.

• good, dignified housing, containing a bathroom and kitchen in each unit.

• available to people with very low incomes who pay either 30 percent of their income or the welfare shelter amount for rent.

• available to all residents of BC who need it, regardless of age, race, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, membership in a First Nations band, or immigration status.

• for everyone who cannot afford market rents; working, retired, disabled, and unemployed people too. No one will be kicked out of social housing if their income increases.

People can remain as long as they need it.

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children were “disappeared” under the military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983.

They stood in a city square every week for years and their white scarves became an international symbol for peaceful protests against profound individual and collective loss.

The first STAND in Vancouver began in 2007, when community advocates held a STAND every Saturday on the corner of 33rd Ave and Main Street to protest the destruction of social housing and forced dislocation of a meaningful community. The STAND bore witness to the sale of public land to a private developer and the loss of social housing in the midst of a homelessness crisis in the city.

In 2008, the Citywide Housing Coalition expanded the STANDS within Vancouver to over a dozen locations, and over the ensuing months organized STANDS across the province. At one point there were 75 STANDS throughout the province on a single day.

Moore encourages other nurses to get involved.

“Being homeless or living on the precipice of homelessness in unsafe, inadequate and insecure housing erodes physical and mental health and undermines the well being of people,” she says, noting that the housing crisis in BC continues to mount.

In the last 20 years the federal and provincial governments have abandoned their social housing responsibilities to municipalities and charities, which have been unable to meet the growing housing needs of working and low-income families in BC. “Housing is a basic need and it’s severely lacking for many British Columbians,” says BCNU President Debra McPherson.

“Vancouver is one of the world’s most expensive cities in which to own a house, and the rest of the nation also has a dismal record with respect to provision of housing for all,” she says, adding that the UN has called upon Canada to commit funding and resources for national housing strategies, particularly for indigenous peoples and women of all communities.

For more information on the Social Housing Coalition of BC, visit: www.socialhousingbc.com. update

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“Nurse + Nurse” a reality!

Provincial government signs Bill 18 into law enabling LPNs to join RNs and RPNs in the same bargaining association

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he provincial government finally signed Bill 18 into law on April 15, one day before the provincial election campaign was scheduled to begin.

The bill - which was passed by the Legislature March 14 - expands the definition of nurse to include Licensed Practical Nurses.

It enables LPNs to negotiate alongside other nurses in the Nurses’ Bargaining Association and be part of the nurses’ Provincial Collective Agreement.

BCNU president Debra McPherson thanked nurses from around the province for their determination in convincing MLAs and Cabinet Ministers to do the right thing.

“The petitions, postcards, emails and phone calls showed just how determined nurses are – whether LPN, RN or RPN – to unite in one union and into one structure for the purpose of negotiating and administrating our collective agreement,” McPherson says.

“This will improve patient care significantly by making things smooth, seamless and efficient in discussions with our employers,” McPherson says. “It puts all nurses under the same umbrella and will

day of action On April 12 BCNU LPNs presented cards with thousands of signatures in support of Bill 18 to premier Christy Clark at the BC government’s Vancouver cabinet offices. Left: BCNU President Debra McPherson and BCNU LPN Council member Marlene Goertzen talk to media after the action.

enable us to collaborate on ways to provide quality patient care.”

“We also appreciate the government’s action in signing the necessary Order-inCouncil as one of its last items of business before the beginning of the provincial election campaign.”

BCNU LPN Council member Marlene Goertzen was overjoyed: “I just wanted to be recognized and supported as a profes-

LPNs were formerly covered by contracts for healthcare support staff, such as the Facilities (FBA) and Community (CBA) agreements.

Bill 18 covers the 7,200 LPNs employed directly by the five health authorities and Providence Health Care who voted decisively last year to join BCNU. It also covers about 1,200 LPNs working for health authority affiliates. They will continue to be represented by their current unions, but BCNU has applied for representation votes at more than 50 affiliates where a majority of LPNs have signed BCNU cards. Also included under Bill 18 are several hundred LPNs in the Community Bargaining Association who are also represented by other unions.

Contract provisions affecting LPNs are being moved out of their current collective agreements and added to the nurses’ provincial contract. Terms and conditions won’t change until they are negotiated in the next round of provincial bargaining in 2014.

The signing of Bill 18 culminates a long campaign by LPNs for recognition as professional nurses, beginning in the early 2000s, as LPNs’ scope of practice expanded. LPNs began approaching BCNU because they felt other unions were not providing their profession with the priority it deserves.

“Finally nurses can work together through the Nurses’ Bargaining Association to improve patient care and practice conditions, to collaborate much more closely and to finally negotiate the ability to get the right nurse to the right patient at the right time,” says Goertzen.

“I knew this would be hard but I knew it would happen.” update

Finally nurses can work together to improve patient care and practice conditions, to collaborate more closely and to finally negotiate the ability to get the right nurse to the right patient at the right time.

Marlene Goertzen

sional nurse and that’s why LPNs joined BCNU. And we also knew that if there was any chance of being recognized as professional nurses by other nurses, employers and government, we needed to be with BCNU,” she said, adding that only BCNU was willing to move government to change the law defining who is a nurse.

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update magazine May/June 2013

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bCnu stewarDs

BUILDING BETTER WORKPLACES iF you’Ve eVer enCountereD a worKpLaCe problem that you couldn’t resolve on your own, chances are you’ve been helped by your shop steward. whether it’s a workload issue, negotiating leave, a health and safety concern, or a disciplinary warning, stewards are there to help defend your contract rights, meet your professional standards and improve your working conditions. the stewards at your worksite are the frontline of bCnu. they are members like you, who are elected to provide their skills and knowledge to help you solve problems. stewards help build better workplaces. in fact, we probably wouldn’t recognize our workplaces without the work stewards do. we talked to some bCnu stewards to find out what motivates them to take on the role and learn about the rewards and challenges of the job. have you considered becoming a steward? the stories below help provide a glimpse into the world of a shop steward, from the motivations, to the challenges – and the rewards. bCnu steward elections take place in worksites across the province June 11 – bCnu Day. Consider nominating a colleague or putting your name forward today. and, of course, talk to your steward if you have any questions.

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UZIe FoRD IS AN oH&S steward at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre.

Ford became a steward in 1995 soon after she began working. “A big group of us were recruited to the steward team and at that time I became a contract steward,” says Ford. “Shortly after I became a steward I received a needle stick

Bev pudwell, steward Chilliwack General hospital

injury and so I became more aware and involved in oH&S issues and safe work practices,” she says.

Ford served as the Shaughnessy Heights region oH&S and LTD Caucus Coordinator for eight years, serving four two-year terms. And in 2004, she began serving as Chair of the region for five years before returning to the bedside to do front

manjit parmar, steward newton home health

line nursing. Ford began serving as oH&S and LTD Caucus Coordinator again in 2011. And just last year Ford took on a part-time position doing disability management under the new enhanced Disability Management Program.

“It’s been quite a journey,” says Ford.

When asked why she was interested in becoming a steward, Ford says that at

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Building Better Workplaces

front-line leaders Clockwise, from left to right: BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre EDMP rep Suzie Ford and Steward Coordinator Patsy Thorpe, VGH Worksite Steward Jenn Ash and Mission Home Health Worksite Steward Stephanie Streloff.

the time she graduated, people were getting jobs without proper postings, and selection procedures outlined in the collective agreement were not being followed.

“I was a casual who had the most seniority for a full-time position but I was not selected,” recalls Ford. “My steward at the time really spoke up for me and I saw how the union ensured that there was a fair process and that things were equitable.”

Ford ended up getting the position. “At the time there were not a lot of full-time jobs and I had a huge student loan and really needed that job,” she recalls. “My steward really went to bat for me and since then I have always wanted to give back to people who may go through the same experience or feel that they have been treated unfairly.”

Ford also values the relationships she has

forged with her mentors. “The nurse who helped me went on LTD, and before she did she encouraged me to get involved,” says Ford. “I really appreciated the work she did for me so I made a commitment to help support the LTD Caucuses.” Now, Ford helps organize regular gathering to support nurses who are off on LTD. “I find that really rewarding,” says Ford. “Some feel really isolated so we make the meetings fun with things like door prizes and Christmas luncheons, and I bring any new information and resources that they might need while they are off. “The nurses come from all over and really support each other – I just facilitate the process,” she says.

It is clear that Ford takes the meaning of the word “steward” to heart. She not only works to protect her members’ health and safety, she also nurtures it.

“In our steward office we really have an opportunity to ‘nurse the nurses’,” she says.

“We do a brown bag event a few times a year where we bring in massage therapy students. We give members lunch and provide them with lots of information on the contract, on health and safety and who their steward team is.” Ford says the feedback has been positive and feels that members value the fact that someone is looking out for them and taking the time to help them.

Ford tells members who are considering becoming a steward to approach the position as just the beginning of a long development process. “When I do my annual review of my professional standards and reflect on my professional development, most of the education I have received has been through the BCNU,” she says. “The union gives you the tools – the education training – to do the work.”

Ford also says it’s clear that the union puts a high priority on investing in its stewards. “You are going to be supported with educational resources, with regional meetings and with staff support,” she says.

“The BCNU labour relations officers we’ve had have been brilliant mentors.

They’ve walked us through the steps, taken us to meetings, and given us encouragement and feedback on what we could do better.”

Ford says that the most rewarding aspect of being a steward is not the “big wins”, but the very quiet “thank-yous” she’ll get from members who have appreciated her speaking up on their behalf.

“Those are the kinds of moments that are really rewarding – knowing you have made a positive difference in a member’s life,” she says. “It’s about taking care for those who care for others.”

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tephanie Streloff is a public health nurse working in Mission. She’s the Worksite and OH&S Steward – for the Chilliwack Health Unit.

She’s also the Co-chair of the Fraser Valley Young Nurses’ Network. Streloff

update magazine May/June 2013

is focused on engaging her peers and getting them involved in the union.

“Many young nurses have a lot going on in their lives, and often the union is seen as yet another thing they need to learn about,” she says. “It’s often not until something happens and they need to reach out when they find what the union is about and what it all means – so I’ve been trying to engage young nurses and remind them that stewards are here, and if they have any questions Anastasia Brown, oH&S Steward eagle Ridge Hospital – ask.”

Streloff says that, unlike some nurses who are brought to union activism as a result of a bad experience, she was inspired by the double change to our rotations – and that work of her local stewards. “They always can be confusing and upsetting for people,” knew what to do and who to go to and she says were quick to address concerns,” “Community backfill is she says. “I just admired that and also an issue and something wanted to know what this is all I’m doing a lot of educaabout. I quickly realized that if tion about,” says Streloff.

I’m going to get more involved “My employer is confused with the union then I better about this and unsure how know what I’m talking about if to proceed with it, so I’ve I’m going to advocate and engage been talking not only with my manager but also with people.”

Streloff says much of her my members about work these days is related to backfill for commucontract changes resulting nity,” she says. from the last round of “The employer provincial bargaining. is unsure about She’s been educating how it will members about what work and right the changes mean and now isn’t how to proceed with doing it – so them.

I’m telling “Community-based them ‘I’m nurses are dealwatching ing with rotation and you have to be accountchanges and going to a longer workable – you have anastasia Brown, week,” says Streloff. to do this’.” oh&s steward When asked what “on top of that the eagle ridge hospital health authority she would tell nurses considering a steward has said it wants position, Streloff says the community biggest reward is confidently nurses to work more evenings knowing your rights. “You’ll and weekends know what can happen and – so we have a should happen, and when

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those things don’t go as they should – which can happen as employers’ like to push boundaries – you’ll know what’s right and be able to push back.”

Streloff also wants potential stewards to know they’ll be supported. “everyone in the union is so lovely.

I can always call and talk to someone if I don’t know the answer.”

Streloff is also quick to point out that the steward role is not without its challenges.

“The biggest challenge is connecting with people and reminding them you are available,” she says. “People are coming to you late, they’re coming to you after there’s been an ongoing problem that would have been easier to address if you had known about it sooner.”

Streloff also notes that being an advocate can be frustrating when members don’t want to follow through on a grievance.

“That’s a real struggle for me. I expect members to want to continue pushing for a resolution to their concerns, and not give up” Streloff also want potential stewards to remember that there is a learning curve.

“You don’t have to know everything -- you just need to know where to go,” she says.

“How I learn the best is calling and communicating with stewards in other worksites.

You may be the only one at your worksite, but you are never alone.”

“You’re always learning and you’re not expected to know everything,” she says.

“I’ve been a steward for just over three years. I’ll often tell my members I’m not sure about an issue and that I’ll get back to them – and their okay with that.”

As an advocate I want to help empower nurses so we can have a strong voice to improve both our work environments and society at large.

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eline Smith has worked at Kelowna General Hospital for 25 years, but she only became a steward last December. She says it has been a great experience, but she had been wary of stepping up until now.

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buiLDinG better worKpLaCes

I wouldn’t be a nurse today if it weren’t for the BCNU. The union supported me and now I want to help ensure members at my worksite are represented fairly.

“The whole time I have worked here I have always wanted to be in a nurses’ union,” she says. “And as soon as I became a BCNU member I wanted to get involved.”

Smith says she didn’t had any interest in her previous union, never mind becoming a steward. Now, that has changed, she says.

“In BCNU I know somebody is going to Janice Canning, Steward Coordinator listen and there is going to be a result. In east Kootenay Regional Hospital my previous union it seemed like it didn’t matter.”

Smith is enthusiastic about being a union member and actively promotes BCNU’s Building Union for staff to wear and set up an Strength (BUS) workshops information table in the hospiat her worksite. “I’m going tal. She then led a 15-minute be retiring in seven years. I in-service presentation in the want these kids to come up staff lounge on bullying that was and take an interest in the very well received. “You could union,” she says, speaking of her hear a pin drop,” she says. younger colleagues.

“We talked about the Smith now serves as an effects of bullying and oH&S Steward, and her how to communicate new-found enthusiasm with a bully, such was evident at the as crossing your in-service worksite arms and tellind educational she them when you coordinated for feel they are being Anti-bullying disrespectful.”

Day on Smith’s leaderFebruary 27. ship on the issue Smith works was highlighted in in the KGH the Interior Health oR and says Authority’s most bullying has been a recent newsletter. problem in the department for years. She also sits on the hospital’s enn Ash is PRF committee, and a Worksite says the group identiSteward fied bullying as the who works biggest issue affecting in the the oR. “I left the oR in Burns and Trauma unit 2005 and went back to Janice canning, steward Coordinator at Vancouver General the ward because it was east Kootenay regional hospital Hospital. She is curso bad,” she says, adding rently appointed to her that she only returned to position and plans to run the oR last September. for it the upcoming stewSmith made pink hats

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ard elections. As a young nurse, she is aware of the importance of balancing professional goals with personal values.

“As a young shop steward I am still very much focused on my nursing career and honing myself as a nurse. Serving as a steward is rewarding and the union office if a good place to be, but young nurses are still learning about themselves and have to prioritize,” she says.

Ash says the steward role attracts natural leaders, but she advises those considering the position to be sure it’s right for them. “Stepping onto the steward role can often be the result of a crisis: there was a need and somebody had to address it,” she says. “Ideally it should be a conscious choice, where the nurse decides she is ready to do it.”

Ash says she’s always enjoyed informing people. The University of Alberta graduate’s mother is a nurse and Ash says she always told her about the importance of taking care of herself. “This means defending your rights and using your voice,” she says.

When Ash expressed her interest to the full-time stewards at her worksite, she did so from the conscious perspective of a young nurse. “As a younger nurse I see that our opinions and views are not always the same as established nurses, and sometimes it can feel like our voices are not heard, or that we are too afraid to use our voice,” she says.

“You have to be able to push the envelope and question things – that’s a trait that any activist must have,” she says when asked what makes an effective steward. “Being able to communicate is also important – there are many different communication styles in the workplace and you need to be able to deal with strong personalities in an effective and respectful way.” update

update magazine May/June 2013

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Your Steward, Your Vote: BCNU Steward Elections to be held June 11 – BCNU Day honouring stewards Left: Sherry Ridsdale (right) receives a 5-year steward service award from Simon Fraser Co-chairs Liz Ilczaszyn (left) and Debbie Picco (centre). Above: Jeremy Bennett, Simon Fraser region steward liaison’s role is to support and encourage stewards.

Simon Fraser region re-allocates resources to support stewards, resolve workplace issues

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CNU’s Simon Fraser region has restructured its regional meetings so more resources are allocated to support the critical work of front-line stewards.

Like all regions, the Simon Fraser region has held four regional meetings per year providing a broad range of education, information, support and networking opportunities for its members. The meetings are also a place for members to learn and strategize about resolving workplace issues through campaigns and advocacy.

On February 19, the region decided to allocate resources to its first annual meeting devoted exclusively to supporting stewards.

“BCNU recognizes that front-line stewards are the back bone of our organization,” says Simon Fraser Co-chair Debbie Picco.

“Investing in stewards is critical to BCNU’s success because they’re responsible for administering the contract and advocating for members at hundreds of workplaces.”

Picco says the Regional Executive analyzed regional meeting evaluations, focus groups results and, with the financial advice and support of BCNU Treasurer Mabel Tung, created the steward regional meeting in response to stewards’ requests for a forum where they

could network with each other and learn about successful strategies.

“Stewards need a forum that’s set aside for them so they can expand their skills and build connections with other stewards,” says Simon Fraser Co-chair Liz Ilczaszyn. “When stewards better understand our new contract they will gain confidence to enforce it, and that will have a huge impact on reducing heavy workload.”

Picco and Ilczaszyn know that when stewards have more knowledge about the contract they are more confident to enforce it, and that will help improve practice environments for members.

“Our region’s goal for the all-steward regional meeting is to recognize and show appreciation for the contribution of stewards, provide education, build supportive relationships and develop regional strategies to solve common workplace problems,” says Picco.

“With this additional support BCNU will have more assertive, connected steward teams to serve members and resolve workplace issues.”

This is the second major restructuring effort for the Simon Fraser region. For two years prior, successful “mini-regionals” were held at each acute care facility to replace a regular regional meeting. update

BCNU Day is June 11 and there is no better way to celebrate than by marking a ballot for your worksite steward.

With the assistance of the current steward team, you and your colleagues—through a secret ballot vote—will elect worksite stewards to a three-year term.

Although there is no limit on the number of stewards to be elected for your workplace, each candidate must receive at least fifty percent of all votes cast in order to join the steward team.

Because worksites differ, the process of voting will vary from site to site. For some workplaces, voting could take place at the local BCNU Stewards’ office and for others, voting could be a matter of stewards coming to you on your floor or unit with ballots and a voting box. And if you cannot vote because you will not be on site on June 11th, contact your steward team or Regional Chair about other arrangements.

No matter how the voting process unfolds at your workplace, it’s important to cast your ballot. It’s your steward, your vote!

For additional information, contact your steward or Regional Chair.

your steward

BCNU Steward Elections

June 11, 2013

your vote

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tacKlinG WorKload bCnu is ensuring nurses and patients benefit from new provincial Collective agreement language

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He ToUGH NeW language on workload negotiated into the Nurses’ Bargaining Association contract last year was an important gain aimed to achieve the union’s goal of safe staffing to ensure safe patient care.

But employer resistance to the new workload language has meant that nurses have had to work harder than ever to ensure that they and their patients benefit from the NBA workload proposals employers accepted at the bargaining table in exchange for the 37.5-hour workweek.

The effort begins in May with a round of education for stewards about the new language and how best to enforce it.

Contrary to what some managers are reported to be claiming, the new language is in effect now. It requires employers to provide the union with baseline staffing information for all units, prevents a reduction of nurses, requires health authorities to

hire more nurses across the province (2,125 by 2016), and regularizes nursing hours.

Most significantly, it requires the replacement of nurses in acute and long-term care when they’re off from a scheduled shift. It also requires the addition of nurses to meet patients’ needs in situations of over census and overcapacity.

In acute and long-term care, the language is clear: nurses will be replaced or will be added, unless – in the case of short-term leaves and situations of overcapacity – the

in acute and long-term care the language is clear: nurses will be replaced or will be added, unless the charge nurse and the manager agree that patients’ needs don’t require it. charge nurse and the manager agree that patients’ needs don’t require it.

This language is in effect now and is not contingent on nurses or their managers receiving planned education about the in-charge role. That education is under development but implementation of the replacement language won’t wait.

In the community, the new language requires employers to backfill nurses for at least the first two weeks of their vacation.

All the language is enforceable under the grievance procedure, which can be backed up with Professional Responsibility Forms (PRF). Members and stewards should be using the provisions now to address their workload problems.

“For the first time we have very strong language on these issues,”

says BCNU President Debra McPherson.

“But if we don’t use the language and ensure it improves our workloads and our ability to provide safe care for patients, it won’t matter what it says. Members have to be prepared to file grievances if the employer isn’t living up to the agreement and replacing or adding nurses.”

The provisions significantly erode management’s ability to force nurses to work short without replacements in order to meet budgets. employer policies such as not replacing the first sick call, or treating overcensus patients with existing baseline staffing, are null and void.

Replacement for sick calls must be done using casuals, regular part-time, float pools, redeployment of other nurses if circumstances permit, and regular full-time nurses (even if they have to be called in on overtime). In small facilities (less than 20 beds) the employer may call in another worker only after having made all reasonable efforts to fill the vacancy with an RN/RPN. Unfortunately, several health authorities are refusing to honour the provisions, claiming they don’t have the money to increase nurse staffing for safe patient care.

Instead, they’re trying to use the move to a 37.5-hour workweek to implement changes not allowed under the contract.

For example, BCNU is fighting an attempt to eliminate the nine-day fortnight for Vancouver community nurses, McPherson says that front-line nurses know the staffing needs on their units and the decisions that are made about them.

“If you think that a decision has been made without fully considering the needs of patients, you can file a grievance and the union can help you pursue it up to and including binding arbitration.” update

Your Pension

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securiNg your future

PENSION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM LEAvES TOO MANy UNANSWERED qUESTIONS

reMiNDer: Pension Statements come out in May. Contact your human resources Department if you have questions and don’t forget to check to see if you have reached your maximum contribution limit.

THe NeW PeNSIoN enhancement Program was an employer proposal negotiated during the last round of bargaining. Under the program, employees can reduce their allowable vacation days in exchange for an increase in the highest average salary used in the pension formula.

The program is irrevocable. employees cannot change their minds at a later date if they wish to withdraw from the program and regain their vacation entitlements.

However, because the program is voluntary, NBA negotiators agreed to the proposal on the assumption that health employers would provide more information in the course of finalizing the collective agreement.

The program begins July 1, 2013. But to-date, health employers have still not provided BCNU with the information it needs in order to let individual members know if the program works for them. The employers’ most recent communication on the issue indicated that the pension enhancement allowance is

NEW PENSION WEBPAGE LAUNCHED

calculated based on the average backfill rate, and that the cost associated with the backfill is based on an average wage rate. There has been no information on how the averages are calculated.

“Without complete information and facts BCNU cannot recommend this program to the members,” says BCNU executive Councillor Deb Ducharme, who is concerned about the fact the program is irrevocable. “An individual member needs to be 100 percent sure that they are ready to exchange vacation time for increased compensation, and that the arrangement will work for them wherever they are in their nursing career.

Right now it’s just not possible to safely make that call,” she says. update

pension statement error? employers provide the mpp with its information. remember to check with you employer if you think your pension statement is in error.

Mystified by pensions issues? You are not alone.

Pensions are a complex subject.

The Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) website has launched a new section called StraightTalk that aims to help all those connected with the MPP have a better understanding of how it works.

StraightTalk brings all aspects of this effort together in one place where you can find out the basic facts and get more details about the MPP. Did you know that in 2011 the average pension paid was $15,980.00? Or that around 75 percent of the cost of pensions paid by the MPP comes from investment income? How about the fact that one in 17 British Columbians are members of the MPP? These are just some of the facts you can learn at StraightTalk.

Visit mpp.pensionsbc.ca and click on StraightTalk in the left hand navigation bar to learn more.

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safe staffiNg Now! nurses line Vancouver’s oak street during a rally at Convention 2013. they delivered a strong message to provincial health services authority president and Ceo Lynda Cranston calling for safe staffing and safe patient care.

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CONVENTION 2013

STANDING UP FOR HEALTHCARE

WE’RE THE BCNU

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HUNDReDS oF eNTHUSIASTIC BCNU Convention delegates were on hand for a colourful noon-hour rally in front of BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre on the sunny afternoon of March 7.

With chants of “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, understaffing’s got to go!” and “What do we want? Safe staffing! When do we want it? Now!”, nurses lined Vancouver’s oak Street holding colourful blue, pink and green umbrellas while waving to honks of support from passing drivers.

They were there to deliver a message to Provincial Health Services Authority President and Ceo Lynda Cranston that she and her management team need to hear and act on concerns that nurses have been raising for years.

BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre has become symbolic of the disconnect between

the provincial government and the health authorities, and of many of the problems that nurses increasingly face when trying to ensure safe care for their patients while protecting their working conditions Shaughnessy Heights region Chair Claudette Jut welcomed her fellow nurses and spoke about the number of nurses who have chosen to leave the hospital as a result of the constant use of overtime in the birthing unit and continual callins to already over-worked nurses to cover shifts.

BCNU President Debra McPherson reminded delegates of the new Nurses’

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sharing perspectives Nurse Practicioner Tania Dick informs delegates about issues facing the new First Nations Health Authority.

Bargaining Association contract language which commits the employer to replace nurses when they are sick, fill vacancies and provide sufficient nurses for safe care.

“Lynda Cranston and the employers are not listening to our nurses, are refusing to take the required actions to improve the working environment and the care here at BC Women’s and Children’s hospitals, and they are not acting on their promises,” she said.

“So we have one message we want them to hear don’t we?” McPherson asked members. Their response was a resounding chant: “Keep the promise, keep the promise, keep the promise!”

“Nurses must be at the table” said CFNU President Linda Silas in her address to delegates.

LPN activists, RN activists and our organizing staff we were successful in welcoming LPNs to our union.”

McPherson said that the task ahead is ensuring that LPNs are integrated into BCNU with full rights and privileges so that they can fully participate in the activities of the organization.

Delegates were brought to their feet with the news that legislation was introduced that week to amend provincial legislation that will see LPNs brought into the Nurses’ Bargaining Association. McPherson said that the bill was the culmination of the hard work of union activists who spearheaded a postcard and telephone campaign that saw the delivery of over 7500 postcards to the

Minister of Health calling for LPNs to be moved to the NBA. McPherson told delegates that the union was also successful in negotiating a new NBA provincial collective agreement considering the very difficult circumstances faced by the bargaining committee. She said that the move to the 37.5 hour workweek will happen in conjunction with improved staffing to ameliorate the workload dilemma many members face and will go a long way to achieving important bargaining goals.

McPherson also stressed the importance of new baseline staffing language contained in the PCA and urged members to take advantage of this to address workload. “This was the most important prize,” she said.

“Management must have a discussion with frontline nurses about whether to replace or not, and if they don’t there should be a grievance. Your clinical decision making determines whether or not you have adequate staffing and that’s how it should be,” said McPherson.

In closing, McPherson stressed the importance of holding employers’ accountable for implementing the new NBA collective agreement language, particularly in light of the recent 2013 provincial budget that will make it difficult to fund. She said it is also troubling to hear that some health employers have said they will not implement the agreement. “Now it’s up to us to go back to our members and tell them that we have the fight of our lives”, she said.

President’s Message

The rally was an inspiring conclusion to BCNU’s thirty-second annual convention that began three days earlier. BCNU President Debra McPherson kicked off Convention 2013 by noting the tremendous achievements the union had accomplished in the previous year.

Delegates in attendance joined McPherson in welcoming 7,200 health authority-employed LPNs to BCNU as full members in good standing.

“This year was the year in which we said we would bring the family of nurses together,” said McPherson. “In October, after four years of work by many activists –

Retired Activists

Wendy Strong (South Islands) with Barb Cyr (South Fraser), two of six activists recognized by President Debra McPherson who are retiring after long, dedicated service to nursing and BCNU. Not in attendance were Linda Krall and Colleen O’Connor (East Kootenay), Kathy Sargent and Kay Glenow (Thompson North Okanagan).

update magazine May/June 2013

Greetings from CFNU

On the second day of Convention delegates received a warm welcome and greetings of support from Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions President Linda Silas.

Silas came with a warning for nurses and all unionized workers. She described the Harper government’s anti-union agenda, and specifically Bill C-377, which forces public disclosure of all union financial transactions over $5,000, imposing significant costs on unions while revealing

cuts of $220-billion a year will make it harder than ever for provinces to deliver the healthcare people deserve.

An aging population with more chronic illness and inadequate primary care means a healthcare system in growing crisis.

“How many hallways will be needed to care for seniors if we don’t change our approach now?” she asked.

Securing new funding is “difficult”, she said – but nurses have the courage to lead.

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” she said.

Keynote Speaker Linda Duxbury

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Linda Duxbury, delivered a timely and appropriate address on the challenges nurses face in dealing with work overload and creating a healthy work-life balance.

Duxbury, an organizational health expert and Professor of Management and Strategy at Carleton University, noted that most people enter nursing motivated to care for others, but find the workload so intense they’re forced DR. Linda Duxbury told delegates that employers must recognize how constant overload leads to high to turn into “care machines”. absenteeism, illness and lower productivity – and that She said nurses are subject to “doing more with less” isn’t a viable strategy. “feeling overwhelmed at all times, from always having more to do than sensitive information to employers. time to do it in” and believing that “if you Silas urged nurses to be vocal in contest- don’t get it done, someone might die.” ing the federal government’s moves, and Duxbury argued that while understaffing warned that without a fight back, unions and the urgency of care today contribute can expect to see legislation that would to the problem, overload will only change rip out freely-negotiated automatic dues if nurses tackle their workplace culture check-off clauses from collective agreehead on. ments, and outlaw the Rand Formula that “The patient mix is now people who are allows unions to focus on negotiating and all in critical condition, so everything is enforcing agreements. always urgent and you’re constantly pes“Imagine having to visit every single tered to be doing the next thing,” she said, member every month in order to collect adding that the workplace culture makes dues! Well, we could lose Rand just like it “unacceptable to say no, difficult to leave that,” she said, snapping her fingers. when your shift is done and hard to seek Silas also urged nurses’ unions to take help when you’re overloaded”. the lead in proposing solutions that ensure Duxbury held out an alternative she public healthcare remains sustainable. called “a culture of appreciation and “Government revenues were shrunk by respect, based on shared values and choice,” she said, noting that federal tax positive leadership” that “supports a

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delegates’ views Teresa McFadyen Royal Jubilee and Saanich Peninsula Hospitals “This is my first time as a delegate and it just means the world to me. As an LPN I am looking to one nursing voice working together, with no division. We all have our designations, we all have our jobs to do, and we’re all nurses together, and that’s what this convention means to me.”

Carolyn McDonald Royal Columbian Hospital “This is my first time attending convention and I’ve enjoyed it very much. I came to experience the sense of camaraderie and learn more about BCNU. It’s very uplifting knowing that there are other nurses experiencing the same issues as me.”

Manjit Parmar Newton Home Health “I came to BCNU’s annual convention to see how changes are made and how resolutions and bylaws are passed. I’m a new BCNU Steward and I was encouraged by my mentor to be a part of this, to witness how the delegation process goes.”

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better work-life balance and healthier lifestyles”.

Duxbury told delegates that management must recognize that constant overload leads to high absenteeism, illness and lower productivity – and that doing more with less isn’t a viable strategy.

She concluded her presentation by urging nurses to provide the leadership and force the organizational changes needed to sustain healthcare in the future.

Warm welcome for health minister

Delegates wrapped up their week when they welcomed provincial health minister Margaret MacDiarmid on the last day of Convention. They reacted with cheers and a standing ovation when MacDiarmid confirmed the provincial government had put Bill 18 forward for second reading, the legislation that would allow the definition of a nurse to be broadened to include licensed practical nurses and move LPNs into the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (see page 10).

Referring to the importance of teamwork in providing quality nursing care to BC patients, and to the “very democratic process” in which LPNs voted decisively to join BCNU, MacDiarmid said “LPNs have made a decision on how they wish things to move forward.” And the government

MacDiarmid said that despite tight budgets, health authorities are receiving “exactly what they expected to receive” in increased funding, and that they are expected to cover the cost of the new nurses.

By-laws and resolutions

Delegates to Convention 2013 took the final step in bringing LPNs into BCNU when they approved a by-law amendment updating the definition of membership to reflect the inclusion of new LPN members.

Delegates also approved a by-law amendment updating the formula used to determine the number of delegates regions may send to Convention, as well as an amendBCNU PRESIDENT DEBRA MCPHERSON ment stipulating that the union’s annually addresses enthusiastic delegates at a rally in appointed auditor be external from the front of bC women’s hospital & health Centre. organization.

Convention delegates did not approve a proposed bylaw amendment brought by the has responded.

Pacific Rim region that asked them to conMacDiarmid commended BCNU for sider staggering elections to allow members emphasizing patient care and safe staffing during negotiations for the new NBA agree- to stand for provincial office without having ment last year. “It is my commitment to you to choose whether to continue in their elected regional roles. Delegates heard many that the promise (of 2,125 new nurses over arguments both pro and con regarding the four years) will be kept,” said MacDiarmid.

“Regardless of what happens in the election proposed change and the issue of election timing in general. and who forms the next government, I will The amendment did not receive the twobe passing on the information and make sure that they understanding the agreement thirds majority vote required to pass. The current by-law language will see provincial and how important this part of the agreeand regional elections being held in the ment is.” same year. elections will be held in 2014.

Resolutions approved at this year’s Convention included lobbying to prevent NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE the bCnu cutbacks and reduction of nominations Committee service in rural emergency was declared elected by departments and calling on acclamation earlier this the federal government to year. they took office on april 1st. From left: deny funding to any interVincent manfre, national aid agencies that okanagan similkameen; promotes hatred against gays michelle nelson, pacific and lesbians. rim; paul moffat, west Kootenay; Laura alasaly, Resolutions regarding Central Vancouver and the transparency of the marco Gnoato, Vancouver full-time steward selection metro. process were referred back to BCNU Council for further review. update

update magazine May/June 2013

convention postcards 1. romeo De Leon, rannoch Campbell and walter Lumamba at the men in nursing booth.

2. north west delegate Flo wagner speaks at the mic. 3. okanangan similkameen delegate Debbie andreychuk & aLC chair michelle martinson at the aLC table. 4. hanna embree and sandra hodge from the north east donate to the wishing well with proceeds going to the child of deceased thompson north okanagan home care nurse Janice buller. 5. riVa’s andrea weekes, simon Fraser’s heather

mildvan and south islands’ shannon boyling participate in annual photo shoot.

6. barb Connolly sells an arm’s length of 50/50 draw tickets to okanagan similkameen delegate Caroline Chapman. 7. north east delegates Cynthia marquez and Danette thomsen. 8. bCnu LGbt Caucus alternate chair Kirstin mcLaughlin and ron poland at the LGbt booth. 9. Fraser Valley region delegates stephanie streloff, nicole hande, sarah mcmurchie and Corinna Kachkowski.

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Nurses’ Votes Count proviNcial electioN 2013

BcNu calls oN parties aNd caNdidates to keep the promise of Quality healthcare through safe staffiNg

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N THe CAMPAIGN FoR the May 14 provincial election, nurses are challenging all political parties and candidates to keep the promise of safe staffing for safe patient care.

Whoever wins will have a legal obligation to fulfil commitments made to nurses to improve workload and patient safety in the last round of Nurses’ Bargaining Association contract negotiations.

They’ll also be expected to confirm the process that moved Licensed Practical Nurses into the NBA through Bill 18, which passed through the Provincial Legislature in March.

Significant pressure will be required to ensure the election winner fulfills those commitments.

remembering the last four years

Nurses will recall what happened after the last election in 2009. Before the election, former Premier Gordon Campbell announced that the budget deficit would be “$495 million maximum”. It actually turned out to be $1.7 billion. That financial crisis led to a destructive round of healthcare service cuts, as the government forced health authorities to eliminate anything not considered a “core service” (as well as to the introduction of the ill-fated HST). one of the results was a sharp increase in nurses’ workloads and in the number of patients treated in hospital hallways and other areas not appropriate for providing care. Tight budgets frequently led to

frustration when nurses tried to solve practice concerns through the Professional Responsibility Process, only to have managers say they had no money.

Budget concerns and personnel changes at the Ministry of Health made it difficult to implement positive workload improvements through the top-level Joint Quality Worklife Committee ( JQWC) which was established under the extension of the NBA collective agreement signed just before the launch of the 2009 election campaign.

In June 2009 BCNU welcomed the appointment of Kevin Falcon as Minister of Health and arranged for newly re-elected Premier Campbell to deliver a welcoming address at the opening of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions convention in Vancouver. A month later BCNU was decrying Falcon’s direction to health authorities to “do more with less”. Said BCNU president Debra McPherson: “In difficult economic times governments should be working to improve healthcare and other important public services, not cutting them back, because people need them more than ever.” The union organized a “No Cuts to Care” campaign, reviving its mid-90s slogan of “Some Cuts Don’t Heal”, and arranged advertising and media stories about the cuts, such as the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities’ announcement of the cancellation of up to 2,000 elective surgeries each “because of the (2010 Winter) olympics”.

Alarmed about cuts to seniors’ care, adult

update magazine May/June 2013

daycares and home support, Fraser Valley chair Linda Pipe said “Some of the residential care beds that received temporary funding will now have to close and yet we know there are unfunded beds sitting empty. We already know that the numbers of beds that are currently being funded are at 98-100 percent capacity…there’s no wriggle room.

More seniors will end up waiting for care and they’ll end up in areas where they get inappropriate care, like in ERs.” Since the last election BCNU has succeeded in persuading the provincial government to take legal steps against private for-profit clinics charging patients illegal user fees for services that are already covered under medicare. That was the basis of BCNU’s own legal action launched against the government in 2005 and continued on behalf of a group of patients. (The clinics responded by launching a legal challenge against the provincial government and laws against extra billing. The case is scheduled to be heard in BC Supreme Court early next year).

Financing healthcare in the years ahead

For this election campaign the incumbent BC Liberals are running on a “balanced budget” platform that provides modest increases in healthcare spending that are even less than the historic lows projected in last year’s plan. The BCNDP says with a more realistic projection for healthcare spending, and discounting the projected returns on the sale of government assets, the budget is actually $790 million in deficit. But the BCNDP, who are ahead in the polls and most likely to form the next government, say there are “no quick fixes” in healthcare, and the issue now, they say, isn’t necessarily spending more, but spending “smarter”.

Whichever party forms the next government, it appears clear that nurses and other healthcare workers will need to work hard to ensure that government listens to both patients and caregivers and provide healthcare with the funding it deserves. update

25

Keep the Promise: Nurses outline their agenda for the 2013 election BCNU has developed a platform that it’s taking to the parties and candidates in this election campaign. (You can find the platform in the leaflet on page 30 of this magazine). The union encourages all members to read the leaflet and talk about the issues with your family and friends. Take whatever opportunity you can to discuss the issues with the people seeking your vote. The leaflet is also available in Chinese and Punjabi.

We have also produced a leaflet with questions for candidates based on our platform. The questions have been distributed to regional executives and lobbyists for use in the campaign.

Our election agenda is based on a simple message: “Keep the promise made to nurses and to the people who need our care.”

That promise includes the Nurses’ Bargaining Association contract commitments to hire more than 2,000 more nurses by 2016, and to ensure nurses are replaced when they’re off from a scheduled shift or added when there’s overcapacity as patients require. That commitment requires that employers respect nurses’ professional judgement about patients’ needs in consultation with our managers. It also requires that the government provide health authorities with adequate funding.

The promise also includes listening to BC’s nurses by appointing experienced nurses to top level nursing positions at the health authorities and at the Ministry of Health. It also means respecting and confirming the overwhelming democratic choice of LPNs for a professional nurses’ union and for representation in the NBA. “Spending smarter”, as NDP health critic Mike Farnworth puts it, might

mean fixing front-line primary healthcare care by developing more multidisciplinary healthcare teams and not-for-profit clinics where nurses work collaboratively with doctors, physiotherapists and other providers. It also means ensuring all nurses can work to their full scope of practice and that nurses’ with advanced skills, such as diabetic nurse educators and nurse practitioners get the opportunities to fully utilize their skills.

The promise also includes improving seniors’ care by implementing the Ombudsperson’s recommendations on staffing standards in residential care, proper funding for home support and creating an effective BC Seniors‘ Advocate that’s genuinely independent of government.

The election platform also calls on the politicians to work to reduce poverty by addressing the social determinants of health through such things as affordable housing, affordable childcare, and improved income supports.

BCNU’s platform also calls on the politicians to strengthen public healthcare by pushing the federal government for a negotiated 2014 Health Funding Accord with strings attached to help establish a national pharmacare program and national standards for home and community care. BCNU also wants the next government to commit to uphold the BC Medicare Protection Act by reducing the flow of public tax dollars into private forprofit clinics and services.

Talk up the platform and get out and express your views to the candidates.

Most important, make sure you’re registered to vote and don’t forget to get out and cast your ballot on May 14 or in one of many advanced polls scheduled before voting day. update

26

proviNcial electioN 2013

Q&A

proviNcial electioN 2013: political parties respoNd to BcNu QuestioNs

nurses’ votes count. bCnu asked the four major parties running in this year’s provincial election to respond to questions that reflect the issues that matter to our members. their responses are below. please take a moment to read them before heading to the polls and make sure you vote for a candidate you think will best represent your interests.

1

will your government keep the promise to hire more than 2,000 new nurses by 2016, to provide safe, high quality patient care and ensure more nurses are added whenever patient needs for safe care require them? will you ensure health authorities have sufficient funds to keep this promise?

BCNU’s position: we’re calling on parties to Keep the Promise to hire 2,125 more nurses by 2016. ensure nurses are replaced or added as patients require • Respect the professional judgement of nurses to know what’s best for patients in consultation with our managers

• provide health authorities with the funding they need to ensure safe patient care through safe staffing

The BC Conservatives recognize that according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, BC has the fewest nurses per capita in Canada. Clearly, we must review why this has happened, and work with nurses and other health care professionals to come up with a solution that supports nurses, patients, and British Columbia taxpayers.

Yes. Addressing the workload concerns that have been identified by nurses is a priority for the BC Liberals. Government recently reached a two-year deal with nurses that specifically targets this, and committed to the addition of 2,125 new nurses over the next four years. We look forward to honouring this commitment. In addition, we will work to create more full-time and part-time positions from casual pools.

Regarding funding, while we are striving for efficiencies in government operations, we are protecting spending in health care. Budget 2013 commits an additional $2.4 billion to health spending over the next three years. our intention would be to fulfill the terms of the negotiated agreement to hire more Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses. The BC Liberal government agreed to add new positions without a specific funding commitment. Worse, the Liberals so-called balanced budget reduced planned health care spending by $234 million next year. Their budget will result in cuts to health care and other vital public services. An NDP government will work to determine what unfunded pressures exist in our health care system and develop plans to manage those pressures.

We do not propose specific numbers of new nursing positions. We propose reforms to health care governance and to the way services are provided. Determining the numbers of new positions will come as a result of the outcome of the process of reform. We will provide adequate access to health care in all communities and will ensure there are adequate dollars for care. We will increase funding to seniors’ residential care facilities to improve staffing levels.

We will establish a routine clinical prevention program to include ageappropriate screening for a variety of conditions, including hypertension, various cancers and preventative care.

update magazine May/June 2013

JohN cummiNs Leader of the bC Conservatives

christy clark Leader of the bC Liberals

2

will your government keep the promise to improve primary healthcare with more multidisciplinary teams and not-for-profit clinics, enabling nurses to work to their full scope of practice, and providing advanced practice nurses and nurse practitioners with more opportunities to fully utilize their skills?

BCNU’s position: we’re calling on parties to KeeP the ProMiSe to fix front-line primary healthcare care • develop more multidisciplinary healthcare teams and not-for-profit clinics where nurses work collaboratively with doctors, physiotherapists and other providers

• ensure all nurses can work to their full scopes of practice – Rns, Rpns and Lpns alike. provide advanced practice nurses (such as diabetic nurse educators) and nurse practitioners with the opportunities to fully utilize their skills

adriaN diX Leader of the bC nDp

27

JaNe sterk Leader of Green party of bC

We are committed to modernizing the way patients interact with our health care system, and we believe that health care professionals should be working to their full scope of practice.

We introduced Nurse Practitioners to BC in 2005, and renewed our commitment to this initiative last year with a commitment to fund 190 Nurse Practitioner positions over the next three years. In october, new regulations were announced to allow Nurse Practitioners to admit and discharge patients from health-care facilities. We also continue to evaluate the possibility of introducing the role of Nurse PractitionerAnaesthetist to BC. A New Democrat government will establish more community-based multi-disciplinary clinics and teams to strengthen primary healthcare, enhance prevention efforts, and provide better support for people with chronic diseases and people who have challenges accessing healthcare services. We appreciate the work of Nurse Practitioners and Advance Practice Nurses to reform primary care so it better utilizes all health professionals. New Democrats will also place a strong emphasis on better using health dollars to improve quality by renewing and redefining the Health Quality Council to ensure that positive changes and innovations generated at the local level are scaled up and implemented across BC. The Green Party will increase the use of multi-disciplinary service. It will establish an initiative to support the development of co-operatives and social enterprises for the provision of community-based health services. Concerning Advanced Practice Nurses and Nurse Practitioners, we will establish 24-7 clinics in rural areas staffed by salaried doctors and nurse practitioners who can perform emergency surgical services. We believe a greater use of nurses should be implemented, a substantial amount of the healthcare budget should be targeted to home care, including visiting nurses, and community health care centres should be developed.

Nurses and nurse practitioners should and will have an increasing role in primary care. Multidisciplinary clinics are likely to have a significant role to play, especially in seniors care and in remote communities.

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proviNcial electioN 2013

Q&A

3

Would your government keep the promise

to listen to nurses by respecting and confirming the overwhelming choice of BC’s Licensed Practical Nurses to bargain in the same provincial bargaining association as registered Nurses and registered Psychiatric Nurses?

BCNU’s position: we’re calling on parties to Keep the Promise to listen to BC’s nurses • appoint experienced nurses to top level nursing positions at the health authorities and ministry of Health to ensure nurses have input into health policy

• Respect and confirm the overwhelming democratic choice of Lpns for a professional nurses’ union and for representation at the professional nurses’ bargaining table

New Democrats recognize the important role of LPNs in our healthcare system and support the full utilization of these nursing professionals. on the structure of bargaining within healthcare, we believe that significant legislative change must be informed by proper consultation and that this was missing in the Bill 18 legislative process. Moving forward, we will respect the right of union members to make decisions about their representations under the provisions of the Labour Code. We know that teamwork is critical to the success of our healthcare system, and going forward we want to ensure that all members of the team are respected.

The Green Party does not have a policy concerning the desire of Licensed Practical Nurses to bargain with, and as members of, the same provincial bargaining association as Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses.

However, we respect the education and capacity of nurses as trained professionals to contribute meaningfully to health care system of BC. The Green Party of BC respects collective bargaining that is freed from interference by the provincial government.

The BC Conservatives will always listen to nurses, including BC’s Licensed Practical Nurses, who play such an important role in our health care system.

We said we would do this, and we have. Today’s BC Liberals recognize that Licensed Practical Nurses have, by exercising their democratic rights, expressed their desire to bargain collectively with other nurses. We listened to the wishes of LPNs, and that’s why we introduced legislation that would allow all nurses to bargain with government together. This legislation, which we believe will bring benefits to the healthcare system, has now been brought into force.

It is important to know that the NDP vigorously opposed this bill, voted against it in the Legislature, and continue to oppose it.

update magazine May/June 2013

4

Will your government implement the

ombudsperson’s recommendations for seniors to ensure respect for seniors’ rights to know, to choose, and to be treated fairly? Will you ensure that there are ‘clear, measurable and enforceable staffing standards for residential care facilities’?

Do you support a truly independent Seniors’ advocate, with the power and resources to

29

The Green Party will follow the ombudsperson recommendations and improve public reporting of key indicators in order to increase accountability and aid in effective planning and health system improvements. We are committed to creating a caring society that provides for its seniors by creating local support systems for them. We will establish a community support network to help seniors remain independent and improve knowledge and understanding of available health and community resources.

investigate individual cases?

BCNU’s position: we’re calling on parties to KeeP the ProMiSe to improve care for BC’s seniors • implement the Ombudsperson’s recommendations on seniors’ care

• ensure clear, measurable and enforceable staffing standards in residential care

• provide proper funding for home support to help seniors maintain their independence

• guarantee the resources and independence required for an effective BC Seniors’ advocate

A truly independent Seniors’ Advocate is a priority for the BC Conservatives. our seniors built this province, and we are fully committed to supporting them with health care solutions and other proven methods of enhancing quality of life.

In response to the ombudsperson’s recommendations, last year we launched our Seniors Action Plan. The plan outlines steps that will make it easier for seniors and their families to access and understand the system, and strengthens protection for vulnerable seniors.

We followed through on one of the Action Plan’s key commitments by introducing legislation that will create an office of the Seniors Advocate, making B.C. the first jurisdiction in Canada to establish such a position.

As a statutory officer, the Advocate will have the legislated mandate to make significant recommendations to government on how to improve senior’s care and other systemic issues facing today’s seniors.

We have introduced legislation three times since 2007 to create a seniors representative that is truly independent and empowered to protect the rights of seniors and their families. The seniors advocate will be an independent office of the Legislature instead of being appointed by the minister of health. We are concerned about the slow and limited actions by the BC Liberals on implementing the ombudsperson`s recommendations and will make this a higher priority under an NDP government. Finally, we will take steps to improve standards of care in residential care facilities, with more details to follow in our platform, available at www.bcndp.ca.

30

proviNcial electioN 2013

Q&A

5

Will your government commit to reduce

poverty and improve the social determinants of health by mandating $10-a-day childcare, early childhood interventions, and improved income supports for the most vulnerable members of

The BC Conservatives are committed to reducing poverty and improving the lives of children and other vulnerable members of society. A strong economy with low, fair taxes that fosters business and investment is the best way to ensure that we have the resources available to assist those people who need our help.

society?

BCNU’s position: we’re calling on parties to KeeP the ProMiSe to reduce poverty in BC address the social determinants of health through:

• affordable housing • $10-a-day childcare • a clean environment

We are committed to reducing poverty and improving the health of all British Columbians, but we estimate that universal child care could cost $1.5 – 2 billion, and as a province, we are not in a fiscal position to do this right now.

That said, recognizing that finding affordable, accessible childcare is a challenge for many families, we recently released our early Years Strategy, which commits an additional $76 million over the next three years. Included is $32 million to create up to 2,000 new licensed childcare spaces. our goal is 13,000 additional spaces over the next eight years.

• regular increases in the minimum wage • improved income supports and programs for the most vulnerable citizens in our province

New Democrats will introduce a legislated Poverty Reduction Strategy in the first year with targets and timelines. The plan will be supported by measures to support children and families in need, including income supports and measures to improve the quality and accessibility of child care and early learning programs. other measures to make life more affordable for British Columbia’s families as part of our election platform campaign can be viewed at www.bcndp.ca.

In order to provide change for the better, we must begin with getting the fundamentals right, one practical step at a time.

We will address the social determinants of health by creating a Guaranteed Liveable Income program to provide a basic income and remove barriers that keep people poor and underemployed. We will implement affordable childcare. Concerning the $10/day plan, we need a conversation about the best childcare plan. our programs will keep families together when possible, remove children when necessary and reunite them after therapies that foster healthier families and aid in overcoming mental health, domestic violence and/or substance abuse problems. We’ll fund women’s shelters. We’ll ensure there is affordable housing for people of all incomes, abilities and mental health conditions.

update magazine May/June 2013

6

Will your government keep the promise of

affordable, accessible medicare by lobbying the federal government for a new 2014 health accord that improves federal health transfers, creates a national pharmacare program, and sets national standards for home and community care?

BCNU’s position: we’re calling on parties to KeeP the ProMiSe of public healthcare for all • push the federal government for a negotiated 2014 Health Funding accord to help establish a national pharmacare program and national standards for home and community care

• uphold the BC medicare protection act by reducing the flow of public tax dollars into private for-profit clinics and services

31

Under the BC Liberals, our government has been an active player on the national stage on health care issues. For example, we worked with other jurisdictions in Canada to lower the price for six widely-used generic drugs, which could produce savings of $100M for provincial and territorial drug plans once fully implemented.

In addition, British Columbia led the way by hosting a special Premier’s meeting in Victoria last January to ensure provinces are united in pushing for a new, and fair, health transfer system that recognizes the uniqueness of provincial populations.

Adrian Dix and the New Democrats have strongly objected to changes to the federal funding structure that could cost British Columbians $6 billion in cuts to health transfer payments over the next ten years. The party that wins the upcoming election will have the opportunity to pressure the federal government for a seat at the table in order to advocate for a fair deal for BC and the country. This will include working with other provinces to persuade the federal government of the benefits of a national Pharmacare program and the need to ensure seniors in BC and across Canada are receiving high quality care.

The Green Party is committed to working with multiple levels of government to reduce or eliminate those factors that harm health. We’ll create a drug plan; reform primary care; improve home care, long term care, mental health services and end-of-life care. Green philosophy goes beyond increasing expenditures in response to a problem. The Green Party will shift priorities and financing to preventing disease by reducing environmental pollutants and promoting changes to lifestyles that include better nutrition and exercise. We will rethink the employment of medical resources to include such measures as salaried physicians and an enhanced role for nurse practitioners.

A BC Conservative Government will defend the interests of British Columbians when negotiating the 2014 Health Accord with the Federal Government.

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PRFs

in the workplace

FBA and NBA PRF Processes: A Voice for ALL Nurses Professional Responsibility Forms are the only tools that nurses have to raise issues in the workplace in regards to their nursing practice concerns. PRFs are your voice -- so let's use them!

There are two different PRF processes: one for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) and

another for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). There are also two different PRF forms.

The algorithm on the opposite page lays out a comparison between the new Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) collective agreement Article 59: The Professional Responsibility Clause and the current PRF language in the Facilities

Bargaining Association (FBA) 2006 to 2010 Memorandum of Agreement: Professional Responsibility for Licensed Practical Nurses.

The fundamental principles behind both processes remain the same. The PRF process is focused on collaboration and problem-solving between nurses and their excluded manager in the workplace in an attempt to resolve issues.

Your steward can work with you to begin the PRF process if you have issues concerning nursing practice conditions,

patient or nurse safety or workload and your standards of practice are compromised.

The algorithm lays out the steps and timelines for both PRF processes and highlights the new language in the NBA collective agreement. At the end of the algorithm you can find tips and interpretation.

This useful tool, along with the PRF forms and additional information that explains the PRF processes in more detail can be found on the BCNU website at http://bit. ly/10TvFSs. update

How to contact Your PRF Regional Resource Persons Please check the website for current updates.

Pacific Rim Brenda Hill brendahill@bcnu.org

RIVA Annelise Henderson annelisehenderson@bcnu.org

South Fraser Valley Barbara Daviduk barbaradaviduk@bcnu.org

East Kootenay Helena Barzilay helenabarzilay@bcnu.org

South Islands Debra Sandborn debrasandborn@bcnu.org

Coastal Mountain Kath-Ann Terrett kterrett@bcnu.org

Simon Fraser Cameron Ward camward@bcnu.org

West Kootenay Paul Moffat paulmoffat@bcnu.org

Vancouver Metro Nancy Szeto nancyszeto@bcnu.org

Shaughnessy Heights Claudette Jut claudettejut@bcnu.org

Okanagan Similkameen Deborah Duperreault deborahduperreault@bcnu.org

North East Diane Wieler dianewieler@bcnu.org

Central Vancouver Judith McGrath jmcgrath@bcnu.org and Diane LaBarre dlabarre@bcnu.org

Fraser Valley Corinna Kachkowski corinnakachkowski@bcnu.org

Thompson North Okanagan Tracy Musey tracymusey@bcnu.org

North West Vicky Monkman vickymonkman@bcnu.org

update magazine May/June 2013

Professional Responsibility (PRF) Language

FBA

NBA

Excluded supervisor (or designate)

Excluded manager (or excluded designate) Raise issue within 72 hours

Request a Written Response

NEW!

72 hours

NO RESOLUTION?

NO RESOLUTION?

14 days

7 days

MOVING? NEW EMAIL? When you move, please let BCNU know your new address so we can keep sending you the Update, election information and other vital union material. Forward us your home email address and we’ll send you the latest BCNU bulletins and news releases.

File a PRF File a PRF

14 days PRF Committee Meeting

NEW!

30 days Written Report

Written Response NO RESOLUTION?

STAY CONNECTED

NEW!

Written Response

Encourage all (FBA & NBA) PRFs to Meeting with Excluded Supervisor be dealt with at the and Senior Nurse Leader PRF committee.

(Steward to suggest at Union/Management) 14 days

33

To Member

To Union

NEW!

7 days Resubmit PRF to COO (or equivalent) NO RESOLUTION? Meeting with COO (or functional equivalent) or designate, Senior Nurse Leader, and the Union

14 days Written Response 1) Excluded Supervisor should be an excluded manager or minimally a DC3 or DC4 with supervisory responsibilites 2) Senior Nurse Leader should be someone with a nursing background in a position of leadership e.g. Director 3) Steward may accompany member to meeting at all steps

Union may refer to Senior Review Committee

60 days Recommendations issued to Union & Health Authority

Unanimous recommendations?

BINDING

Not unanimous?

FURTHER CONSIDERATION

1) The NBA PRF process has been streamlined to three steps with tighter timelines 2) 72 hours for you to talk to your excluded manager; 72 hours for your manager to respond in writing 3) PRF Committee to attempt to resolve issues in 30 days; written report to nurse and Union 4) Senior Review Committee final stage of process

Please contact the Membership Department by email at membership@bcnu.org or by phone at 604-433-2268 or 1-800-663-9991

34

Who Can Help?

BCNU is here to serve members

regional reps Vancouver Metro Colette Wickstrom Chair C 604-789-9240 cwickstrom@bcnu.org

BCNU CAN. Here’s how you can get in touch with the right person to help you.

Coastal Mountain Kath-Ann Terrett Chair C 604-828-0155 kterrett@bcnu.org

CONTACT YOUR STEWARDS For all workplace concerns contact your steward. regional reps If your steward can’t help, or for all regional matters, contact your regional rep. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE For all provincial, national or union policy issues, contact your executive committee.

Central Vancouver Judy McGrath Co-Chair C 604-970-4339 jmcgrath@bcnu.org

executive committee

treasurer Mabel Tung C 604-328-9346 mtung@bcnu.org

PRESIDENT Debra McPherson C 604-209-4253 dmcpherson@bcnu.org

executive councillor Marg Dhillon C 604-839-9158 mdhillon@bcnu.org

VICE PRESIDENT Christine Sorensen C 250-819-6293 christinesorensen@bcnu.org

executive councillor Deb Ducharme C 250-804-9964 dducharme@bcnu.org

LPN reps

Diane LaBarre Co-Chair C 604-341-5231 dlabarre@bcnu.org Shaughnessy Heights Claudette Jut Chair C 604-786-8422 claudettejut@bcnu.org RIVA Lauren Vandergronden Chair C 604-785-8148 laurenvandergronden@bcnu.org Simon Fraser Liz Ilczaszyn Co-Chair C 604-785-8157 lilczaszyn@bcnu.org Debbie Picco Co-Chair C 604-209-4260 dpicco@bcnu.org

fraser health Jonathan Karmazinuk C 604-312-0826 jonathankarmazinuk@bcnu.org

providence Steven Roth C 778-870-7328 stevenroth@bcnu.org

interior health Janet Elizabeth Van Doorn C 778-214-4798 janetvandoorn@bcnu.org

vancouver coastal Marlene Goertzen C 778-874-9330 marlenegoertzen@bcnu.org

South Fraser Valley Cheryl Appleton Co-Chair C 604-839-8965 cappleton@bcnu.org

northern health Louise Weightman C 250-639-6436 louiseweightman@bcnu.org

vancouver island Barry Phillips C 778-679-9737 barryphillips@bcnu.org

Lisa Walker Co-Chair C 604-880-9105 lisawalker@bcnu.org

Fraser Valley Linda Pipe Chair C 604-793-6444 lpipe@bcnu.org West Kootenay Lorne Burkart Chair C 250-354-5311 lorneburkart@bcnu.org East Kootenay Patt Shuttleworth Chair C 250-919-4890 pshuttleworth@bcnu.org North West Sharon Sponton Chair C 250-877-2547 sharonsponton@bcnu.org North East Jackie Nault Chair C 250-960-8621 jacquelinenault@bcnu.org Okanagan-Similkameen Laurie Munday Chair C 250-212-0530 lmunday@bcnu.org Thompson North Okanagan Tracy Quewezance Chair C 250-320-8064 tquewezance@bcnu.org South Islands Adriane Gear Co-Chair C 778-679-1213 adrianegear@bcnu.org Margo Wilton Co-Chair C 250-361-8479 mwilton@bcnu.org Pacific Rim Jo Taylor Chair C 250-713-7066 jtaylor@bcnu.org

update magazine May/June 2013

Off Duty

35

members after hours

POSITIVE IMPACT LYNNETTE LEGRANDEUR HELPS MAKE THE OUTDOORS ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Kelowna General Hospital OR nurse Lynnette LeGrandeur is trained to ensure the well-being of her patients is protected. It’s what being a nurse is all about.

But LeGrandeur’s commitment to her ideals extends far beyond the hospital walls. She is a volunteer and founding member of the Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS), a volunteer-run charitable organization that’s dedicated to making outdoor activities inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities.

CRIS runs Adaptive Wilderness Adventures, an adventure travel organization that has been successfully making the outdoors a place where people with disabilities can achieve greater independence, improve their mental and physical health, and promote their inclusion in the community.

Since starting in 2001, the group has made to close to 8000 outings and logged over 125,000 volunteer hours.

Participants can spend the day hiking, paddling, cycling, crosscountry skiing or snowshoeing in the central and north Okanagan. In the summer months the group organizes

multi-day trips around the province, such as kayaking on the Sunshine Coast, canoeing the Bowron Lakes chain, or hiking in Alberta’s Kananaskis Country.

LeGrandeur says Adaptive Adventures has been very well received in the community, and CRIS has established

partnerships with the Central Okanagan Regional District and Alberta Parks to provide them with services.

LeGrandeur’s husband Troy Becker got the idea to establish CRIS when he saw the positive effect that being outdoors had on LeGrandeur’s sister who has Down’s syndrome. LeGrandeur notes that CRIS’s mission is also closely aligned with her own values.

“I went into nursing because I care about people and I wanted to be a part of improving their quality of life,” says LeGrandeur.

POSITIVE EFFECT Troy Becker and Lynnette LeGrandeur help a program participant get ready to embark on a wideness adventure with help from the family dog, Bud.

“By establishing this organization I don’t just get the opportunity to improve one component of a person’s life but I’m able to have a positive impact on the person’s physical, social, psychological and spiritual aspects of their lives – because the health benefit from spending time outdoors with people who also enjoy the same passion is astonishing.”

CRIS has grown remarkably over the last 12 years and now employs a full-time executive director and program coordinator. LeGrandeur says that volunteers are critical the group’s success.

“We’ve been really fortunate to have nurses, doctors, firefighters and people with other medical backgrounds come out and volunteer their services. So that makes a huge difference.

Participants might travel with their care aides, but if they are doing a multi-day backcountry trip, often there is a requirement for volunteers to have medical skills.”

Like many nurses, LeGrandeur is proud to able to use her skills in a voluntary capacity. “Doing this work really motivates me and gives me that sense that I’m really making a difference and that I’m having that positive ripple effect on that individual’s life on multiple levels.”

You can learn more about CRIS and Adaptive Wilderness Adventures by visiting www. adaptiveadventures.ca. update

BUILDING BETTER WORKPLACES BcNu steward elections take place June 11 stewards are leaders at their worksites. they guide co-workers on a host of work related concerns, help members address problems and communicate crucial information about issues concerning the profession.

help build a better workplace.

Nominate your colleague or put your name foward today.

NomiNatioNs opeN may 6, 2013 and close JuNe 4, 2013 For more information on the steward role or how to forward a nomination, please: •

ask a steward in your facility

•

contact a member of your BCnu Region’s executive at http://bit.ly/YJvJWL

•

visit www.bcnu.org under Hot topics > Steward election: http://bit.ly/ZmYafj

yOUR STEWARD BcNu steward electioNs

JuNe 11, 2013

yOUR vOTE PM 40834030