BARGAINING 2022 STORIES FROM THE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER PLUS: WORKING AS A CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST AND FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER (AND RT) NEAL PANTON ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
NO. 3
VOL. 42
WINTER 2021-22
HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
AUGUST 16, 1935. PHOTO BY NEAL PANTON.
BARGAINING 2022
STORIES FROM THE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER
PLUS: WORKING AS A CHILD
LIFE SPECIALIST AND FINE ART
PHOTOGRAPHER (AND RT) NEAL PANTON
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
THROUGH BARGAINING
In a recent survey of HSA COVID pandemic has had
members, 41 per cent of you a negative impact on their
said you have considered mental health.
leaving your profession The current provincial
because of workload. government has taken
Forty-one per cent – that’s a some steps to increase HSA PRESIDENT KANE TSE
big number. training seats for a few
professions. That is good
Further, when asked, 82
news, and we need them and remote communities
per cent of you said your
to keep expanding training across BC.
workload is negatively
programs for in-demand
impacting patient care. It is also important to
professions. But training
Decades of underinvestment seats alone will not solve recognize that BC lags
in training, recruitment, and this crisis. behind other provinces
wages for essential health when it comes to wages
care workers have left many for specialized health
of you burning out, retiring “Decades of professions. Despite having
the highest cost of living,
early, or changing careers. underinvestment in BC is often in the bottom
With post-pandemic
demand for treatment and
training, recruitment, half of the pack in terms of
compensation.
rehabilitation set to surge, and wages for
that leaves us facing a As we head into bargaining
crisis. And this is not a crisis essential health care in 2022, I ask all HSA
that developed suddenly. workers have left members to support the
Decades of neglect got members on our bargaining
us here, but the issue many of you burning committees as they work
cannot be ignored any out, retiring early, or to negotiate collective
longer. Without a serious agreement language that
commitment to train, recruit, changing careers.“ will make a difference for all
and retain specialized of us.
professionals, waitlists for
surgery will grow longer, The government must find
wait times for diagnostic ways to recruit professionals
tests will grow longer, and currently not practicing in
patient care will suffer. We the public system or who
need innovative and bold are practicing in other
action. And we need it provinces. It should offer
urgently. student loan forgiveness
for new graduates who
Why? Because you are commit to working in our
struggling under the public health care system;
increased workload brought offer housing stipends;
on by long standing and consider travel and
shortages. Eighty percent relocation reimbursements
of HSA members say the to help fill vacancies in rural
2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAPERLESS
REPORT COVER
Looking Forward: Bargaining 2022 10
AVAILABLE Stories From the Atmospheric River 12
Helping Children Cope 16
HSA members have the option to Walking the Dual Roads: Neal Panton, RT 14
receive a paperless edition of The
Report via email. If you would like
to switch your subscription to this
paperless edition, please send an
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
email to info@hsabc.org requesting Making A Difference Through Bargaining 2
we change your subscription. To help
us with this process, please include NEWS
your full name and worksite in the
email. Paperless Report Now Available 3
New Training Seats 3
BCHC Mental Health Panel 3
Scholarship and Bursary Applications Open 4
NEW TRAINING Madden Memorial Fund
Paid Sick Leave
4
4
SEATS HSA On Your TV
Victory at the Labour Relations Board
5
6
HSA welcomed two rounds of funding Board of Directors Attendance 8
for training seats announced by the Scholarship and Bursary Winners 19
provincial government in November.
The first announcement was 20
new fast-track training seats for FOOD FOR THOUGHT
respiratory therapists at Thompson Public Rehabilitative Care: At The Tipping Point 7
Rivers University. The fast-track Solidarity Works: The Farmers Protests 9
program allows students with a
Staff Profile: Jennifer Brandt 17
bachelor or associate of science
Core Member Engagement Team: 2021 Report 18
degree to enter directly into the
second year of the RT diploma
program. TRU was also provided with
one-time funding of $65,900 to buy
new equipment to support student
learning, including ventilators.
The second announcement was for 17 new training seats for anesthesia assistants in two cohorts on
Vancouver Island (through Island Health) and the Lower Mainland (through PHSA, Providence, and
Fraser Health). This program will allow RTs to upgrade their skills and grow in their careers. These
training seats are an important step in addressing the shortages HSA has been calling on government
to address, and will continue to advocate for more programs like this for more health science
professions in the near future.
BC HEALTH COALITION MENTAL HEALTH PANEL
The BC Health Coalition hosted an online panel on Workers’ Mental Health in the Pandemic on October
21, 2021 with HSA member and social worker Easter Tocol as one of four panelists.
Panel members discussed their experiences as workers during the pandemic, how the pressure of
working through a global pandemic has impacted the mental health of many front-line workers and
health care professionals, and what adequate mental health supports would look like.
If you’d like to hear the discussion, the entire panel presentation has been posted to the BC Health
Coalition’s YouTube channel and can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3ockqrV
3
NEWS IN BRIEF
SCHOLARSHIP AND BURSARY
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Applications for HSA’s scholarships and bursaries are now open, and will close on Friday, January 21,
2022 at 11:59 pm. These scholarships and bursaries are open to all HSA members and their children
aged 25 or younger. Ten $1500 scholarships will be awarded for full-time studies, along with twenty
$1500 bursaries for full-time studies, and four $750 bursaries for part-time studies.
Bursaries are based on financial need, and applications are ranked based on financial need, the ap-
plicant’s personal statement, and a 250-word essay. Scholarship applications are ranked based on
academic marks, the applicant’s personal statement, and a 250-word essay.
HSA also provides two bursaries for indigenous students in BC who are pursuing education in any
HSA-related field.
The criteria and details are set out on the application forms available on the HSA website. If you
have any questions, please contact the HSA Education Department at education@hsabc.org.
MADDEN MEMORIAL FUND
Know your rights. Sharpen your skills. Boost your confidence.
The Madden Memorial Education Fund was established in 1984 following the death of Joe Madden,
who was HSA’s Assistant Executive Director from 1974 to 1984. Through the Madden Memorial
Education Fund, HSA provides financial assistance to members attending external labour education
programs.
The Madden Memorial Education Fund provides financial support for labour relations courses with
areas of study that could include occupational health and safety, workers’ rights, labour history,
communications skills, or assertiveness and leadership skills. Both in-person and correspondence
courses offered by universities, colleges, school boards and other labour organizations are eligible.
Applications for the Madden Memorial Fund are available on the HSA website and applications are
always being accepted.
PAID SICK LEAVE
On November 24, 2021 the provincial government announced that all workers covered by BC’s Em-
ployment Standards Act will be entitled to five days of employer-paid sick leave starting on January
1, 2022. While not the ten days of paid sick leave that many HSA members campaigned for, this is
still a victory for the more than half of BC workers with no paid sick leave.
“This is an important achievement for public health and safer workplaces,” said Laird Cronk, Presi-
dent of the BC Federation of Labour. “But we’re disappointed that it’s only half the 10-day standard
that science supports and that is the overwhelming preference of British Columbians.”
As health care and social service professionals, HSA members know that paid sick leave will save
lives by reducing the spread of disease and ensuring healthier workplaces.
HSA PRESIDENT
KANE TSE SHOW HIS
SUPPORT FOR 10
DAYS OF PAID SICK
LEAVE (LEFT); HSA
MEMBER KRIS LALLY
SPEAKS TO THE
MEDIA AT A RALLY TO
SUPPORT PAID SICK
LEAVE (RIGHT)
4
NEWS IN BRIEF
HSA ON YOUR TV: NEW AD CAMPAIGN
TARGETS SHORTAGES
HSA’s newest ad campaign, which broadcast province-wide
on TV and on social media platforms through November
and December, set new precedents in several ways. “HSA
members put their professionalism and dedication to
patients and clients above all,” explains HSA President Kane
Tse. “And to date our public ad campaigns have reflected
this, focusing on how our important work makes life better
for people in BC.”
“But as we enter the third year of the pandemic, the
public is acutely aware of just how exhausted health care
professionals have become. The problem, as usual, is that
too many people assume doctors and nurses are the only
ones fighting to save lives on the front lines.”
“We need to make sure the public understands that health
science professionals are the ones delivering so much of
the care in this pandemic, and at great personal cost. So we
made the decision to put that at the centre of the new ad.”
With shortages worse than ever in key professions, the ad
depicts seven of HSA’s over 70 professions – respiratory
therapists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, laboratory
technologists, MRI technologists, diagnostic sonographers
and social workers – in an affecting and emotionally
wrenching spot just 30 seconds long.
HSA members from these professions were recruited to
advise the communications team on technical details.
“It’s important to get the details right,” said HSA
communications team lead David Bieber. “If the union
representing these professions can’t show the world an
accurate depiction of what they do, no one else is going to
do it.”
Technical advisors from a major medical drama shot
in Vancouver were initially entrusted with procuring
appropriate props and equipment, but their expertise fell
short of the mark. “The folks from the big TV show about
doctors and nurses were really nice,” said Bieber, “but they
had no clue how a respiratory therapist does their job.”
The intubation set up by them was wildly off the mark
according to the HSA’s own respiratory therapist advisor,
who spent hours on the set correcting issues and ensuring
complete accuracy.
“The medical TV show advisors said not to worry about
it, nobody notices little details like correct intubation,”
said Bieber. “Well, I said, we do. So, I think we managed to
film the only accurate depiction of respiratory therapy in
modern popular culture.”
The ads, along with ongoing work to express concerns
about shortages to the provincial government in Victoria, is
on track to run again as HSA negotiators begin bargaining
the next contracts in the spring.
PHOTOS FROM BEHIND THE
SCENES AT THE TV AD SHOOT. 5
VICTORY AT THE LABOUR RELATIONS
BOARD: HSA DEFENDS MEMBERS AT
WEST COAST MEDICAL IMAGING
At the beginning of the On May 20, 2021, the Labour well as the Board’s previous
pandemic, West Coast Relations Board issued jurisprudence regarding
Medical Imaging (WCMI) – its decision, which was to Section 54.
a chain of private medical dismiss HSA’s complaint.
imaging clinics with The Board said that the The appeal was successful.
locations in Vancouver Employer’s actions were On October 4, 2021, the
Island and the Lower compelled by circumstances Board decided that the
Mainland – laid off and outside of its control (i.e. the original decision was
slashed the hours of many COVID pandemic) and, as inconsistent with the
of the hundreds of HSA such, it did not “introduce” a Board’s law and policy
members who work there. change within the meaning under Section 54. The Board
HSA stewards and staff of Section 54. By making confirmed that it does not
sprang into action to defend this decision, the Board inquire into reasons why
these members’ livelihoods effectively developed a new an employer decides on a
from their employer’s test for determining when particular change and that
actions, eventually filing Section 54 was triggered. rather, the correct approach
a complaint under BC’s is for the Board to simply
Labour Relations Code. While the employer certainly ask whether the employer
introduced the layoffs and implemented a change
HSA’s legal staff determined reduction in hours, the within the meaning of
that WCMI’s actions Board determined that Section 54.
violated Section 54 of BC’s because the employer did
Labour Relations Code not introduce the events This decision was a
(the Code). Section 54 that precipitated them significant win for both HSA
deals with what are called (i.e. the COVID pandemic) and its members, and the
“labour adjustment plans” that Section 54 was not labour community at large
for unionized workplaces. applicable. This decision was as it confirms that the test
Essentially, when an surprising and concerning for triggering Section 54 is
employer wants to change – not just to HSA, but also not any more stringent or
the employment conditions to the broader labour restrictive than how Section
of a significant number of community – because 54 has been interpreted and
staff, Section 54 says that it seemed to contradict applied in the past.
they must both give formal over twenty-five years of
notice of at least 60 days previous decisions by the
and work with the union to Board about the application
develop a plan to mitigate of Section 54. Not only did
the effects of the changes. HSA file an appeal, but two
other unions, the BCGEU
On May 5, 2020, HSA filed a and UNITE HERE Local 40,
complaint with the Labour sought intervenor status in
Relations Board alleging support of our appeal.
that WCMI introduced HSA staff members
layoffs and reductions Gurleen S. Sahota and Alka
in hours of work of HSA Kundi were legal counsel
members without the notice for HSA. They argued a
or consultation required by number of grounds for
Section 54. As is the Board’s appeal, including the fact
general practice, HSA’s that the Board’s decision
complaint was heard by way was inconsistent with the
of written submissions. principles of the Code as
6
PUBLIC REHABILITATIVE CARE: AT THE
TIPPING POINT
In October 2021, HSA for patients suffering from and while some positive
released a research both acute illness and Long action has been taken, HSA
report that summarized COVID. knows that much more must
months of work by staff be done.
researchers. The report, However, many British
called We’re Chronically Columbians lack access to Staffing shortages are
Understaffed: A Report rehabilitative care that can taking a toll on patients
on Public Rehabilitative help them recover from and frontline professionals.
Care in BC, gives the first COVID-19, avoid developing In a 2021 survey of HSA
comprehensive assessment other debilitating chronic members, 41 per cent said
of the state of public diseases or help self- they are considering leaving
rehabilitative care in BC. manage conditions that public practice due to
The report’s findings paint can lead to hospitalization unmanageable workload.
a troubling picture that or require surgery.
will be familiar to many Improving public access to With an aging population,
HSA members, including rehabilitative care will go increasing demand for
severe staffing shortages, a long way in addressing musculoskeletal care and
a lack of services in many health equity. pain management, and
communities, and long the acute and post-acute
wait times for patients and The report’s findings will rehabilitation required
clients. not surprise many HSA for COVID-19 patients,
members, and include: public rehabilitative care
The report draws on is needed now more than
statistical data and • A decrease in real per ever. And yet, BC faces
interviews and focus groups capita funding for widespread understaffing
with HSA members who hospital diagnostic and and professional shortages,
provide frontline care, therapeutic care; a lack of services in many
including physiotherapists, • Access to public communities, and long wait
occupational therapists, rehabilitative care times. It is placing a greater
and speech language stagnant or declining burden on emergency
pathologists. For those in most regions due to services, acute and long-
who might be unfamiliar, inadequate funding, term care because patients
rehabilitative care includes understaffing, and do not have access to
physiotherapy for strength privatization; preventative therapy in the
and to enable movement, • Low baseline staffing first place.
occupational therapy for levels;
the skills necessary for • Shortages undermining The report makes three
everyday living, and speech care quality as frontline recommendations for how
and language therapy therapists are unable to the provincial government,
for communication and work to their full scope the health authorities and
swallowing. of practice nor have HSA can work to solve these
adequate time with problems by addressing
A significant number of patients; professional shortages,
British Columbians have • Chronic unfilled increasing post-secondary
chronic health conditions vacancies; training opportunities for
that can be prevented or • A lack of in-province rehab professionals, and
managed with appropriate training; and rebuilding public outpatient
therapy and support from • New graduates being rehab care across BC.
rehab professionals. Forty- attracted to private
four per cent of adults 20 practice for the For those who would like
and older have at least one combination of smaller to learn more, the report
of ten common chronic caseloads and higher is a fascinating read. Both
conditions, which increases compensation. the executive summary and
to 73 per cent of adults 65 full report are available to
and older. COVID-19 has While these challenges have download from the HSA
also increased the need been acknowledged by website at
for rehabilitative therapy government and employers, https://bit.ly/3lqzYXp.
7
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ATTENDANCE RECORD
Resolution 54, passed at the 2021 Convention, requires that HSA “publish attendance records
and activities of the Board of Directors, quarterly in the HSA Report”.
Attendance of the Board of Directors at Board and Committee meetings that took place from July 1 - September 30, 2021.
Number
Becky Joe Tara Jas Cherylee Janice Mandi
Meetings/Webex Calls: of Kane Tse Derrick Hoyt Jing-Yi Ng Jill Slind
Meetings
Packer Sebastian Chen Giddha Hylands Morrison Ayers
President Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Region 10
Board of Directors 3 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 3 3 3 3
Executive 2 2 2 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 n/a
CESA 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 n/a 1
Constitutional & Org Policy 1 n/a 1 n/a 1 n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Education 1 n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 n/a n/a
Elections 1 n/a 1 n/a 1 n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Finance 2 n/a 2 n/a 2 n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 n/a n/a
OH&S 1 n/a n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 n/a n/a
Political Action 2 n/a n/a n/a 2 n/a n/a n/a 2 n/a n/a n/a
Women's 1 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a 1
Total meetings attended in Q3 5 10 4 9 0 5 4 5 8 5 5
Becky Joe Jas Cherylee Janice Mandi
Summary Kane Tse Derrick Hoyt Jing-Yi Ng Jill Slind Tara Chen
Packer Sebastian Giddha Hylands Morrison Ayers
President Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Region 10
Total meetings scheduled 5 10 4 9 3 5 4 5 8 5 5
Total meetings attended 5 10 4 9 0 5 4 5 8 5 5
100% 100% 100% 100% 0% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Committees not listed above did not meet in Q3.
YOUR HSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5
Kane Tse Becky Packer Derrick Hoyt Jing-Yi Ng Joe Sebastian Jill Slind
‘
Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Region 10
Tara Chen Jas Giddha Cherylee Hylands Janice Morrison Mandi Ayers
8
SOLIDARITY WORKS:
THE FARMERS PROTESTS
India’s farmers and their protesting across large seva, including offering
supporters around the world parts of India. But there was langar (free meals) to local
won an unprecedented also a strong international residents, and remaining
victory in late November component to the protests, peaceful in the face of state
when the Indian government with people ranging from violence.
repealed the highly Rihanna to Greta Thunberg
unpopular Farm Laws. While showing their support The commitment of the
the farmers’ persistence and for the farmers and large farmers, combined with
organization were largely crowds attending rallies their international support,
responsible for their victory, in cities from Surrey, BC finally became too much
the broad world-wide to London, England to for the Indian government.
support from many groups, Melbourne, Australia. On November 19, 2021 a
including HSA, for their surprise announcement
cause also played a role. Members of HSA’s Young was made that the Indian
Workers Action Group and government had decided
Here’s a quick refresher: Labour Council delegates to repeal the bills, and
farmers and agricultural took on the fight and both houses of the Indian
workers in India began actively encouraged their Parliament quickly passed
peaceful protests in the fall fellow labour activists to the Farm Laws Repeal Bill
of 2020 against three Farm support striking farmers. on November 20, 2021.
Laws passed by the Indian Their activism led HSA
government. These laws to create a letter-writing The farmers protests
were rushed through in the campaign that allowed show both how effective
midst of a pandemic without hundreds of members to peaceful protest can be,
consultation with the send a pre-written letter to and the important role
workers they would impact. their MP and Prime Minister that international solidarity
India’s farmers’ union said Justin Trudeau, and led can play in supporting
that the bills would drive to several Labour Council workers around the world.
down wages, allow for price acting to support the Although the Farm Laws
gouging, threaten food striking farmers. have been repealed, there
security, and leave farmers is still solidarity work to
vulnerable to exploitation by The Indian government be done. India’s farmers’
corporations. responded harshly to the unions are calling for more
protests, censoring social change, including a legally
In response to the bills, media and the press, and guaranteed Minimum
farmers and agricultural turning a blind eye to police Support Price (MSP) for all
workers across India took violence. Over the past year crops and for all farmers to
to the streets. The farmers’ the protests have resulted help keep India’s agricultural
protests were the largest in the deaths of over 600 workers out of debt.
in human history, with farmers. The protestors
hundreds of millions of held firm, camping on the
farmers and their supporters streets for months, doing
EMAIL COMMUNICATION REMINDER:
During bargaining, we often hear from members who want be kept up to date about what’s go-
ing on in negotiations. While we can’t share everything that happens at the bargaining table, we
will be providing important updates to HSA members by email.
If you are not receiving HSA emails, you won’t receive these updates. If you’d like to change
that, please send a note from your personal (not work) email to info@hsabc.org asking
to be added to the email list.
9Looking Forward: Bargaining 2022
Collective agreement can be seen in the strong the people we need
bargaining is an opportunity participation of members, to deliver consistently
-- one that only comes over the fall of 2021, as HSA excellent service.
every few years -- for HSA chapters across BC held
members to work together chapter meetings to discuss • Respect: as
to improve the collective and vote on bargaining specialized health
agreements that govern proposals to forward to care professionals,
their working conditions. the HSA Health Science the contributions HSA
Over the past 50 years, HSA Professionals Bargaining members make must
members have bargained Association (HSPBA) be understood and
to gain many things Bargaining Proposal recognized.
including fair wages, a job Conference. At the end of
classification system, long- this process, more than • Responsibility: there is
term disability coverage, 1,000 bargaining proposals no health care without
and low-wage redress in the had been submitted by specialized health
Community Social Services members and chapters. care professionals.
sector. HSA members do not
All 1,000 proposals were carry that burden of
After two years on the front reviewed, grouped by responsibility lightly, and
lines of a global pandemic topic, and brought to must be recognized for
and five years on the front the delegates attending the role they play on the
lines of a drug-poisoning the bargaining proposal health care team.
crisis, bargaining in 2022 conference, which was
is an opening to consider held virtually on November • Resilience: HSA
the many challenges HSA 22-23, 2021. Once grouped, members need support
members are facing at work, several common themes for their physical and
and to propose collective emerged and were reflected mental well-being to
agreement changes that can in the vast majority of the be able to go back shift
help solve them. proposals: after shift to do what
they are trained to do
Despite being exhausted • Recruitment: without – and passionate about
from dealing with staff enough people on the doing.
shortages and unfilled multidisciplinary health
vacancies, facing down care team, the crushing During the two days of
growing waitlists, workload just is not the Bargaining Proposal
and working through sustainable. Conference, delegates broke
simultaneous public health into smaller groups in order
emergencies, members • Retention: without to review and discuss the
are clearly ready to take the right conditions, proposals. This in-depth
on this challenge. This we can’t hang onto discussion allowed delegates
‘
SCREENSHOTS FROM HSA’S “HOW BARGAINING WORKS” VIDEO, AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE.
10Your Bargaining
Committee Members
to read the member stories HSA will be represented at the bargaining tables for four
behind the proposals, sectoral agreements by the following members, who were
learn where overlapping elected at their bargaining proposal conferences. These
proposals had been members, from communities across BC and a range of
submitted, and consider different professions, have committed to representing
the best ways to make their fellow union members and their priorities at the
the improvements that bargaining table:
members are seeking. The
results of this discussion Community Social Services Bargaining Association:
will inform and guide
the HSPBA bargaining • Dawn Marie Goodmurphy, mental health counsellor
committee. and youth outreach worker, John Howard Society of
North Island
Delegates to the conference
also elected eight members Community Health Services and Support Bargaining
to the HSPBA Bargaining Association:
Committee. These eight
members will represent HSA • Ann Hahr, administrative assistant, Open Door Group
members at the bargaining
table when negotiations Nurses Bargaining Association:
get underway in 2022. They
will be joined by two board • Nicole McIntosh, registered psychiatric nurse, St.
members elected by the Paul’s Hospital
union’s Board of Directors
to serve as co-chairs of Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association:
the Bargaining Committee,
and HSA’s professional • Janice Morrison, HSA Vice-President and
negotiators and staff physiotherapist at Kootenay Lake Hospital.
specialists. Together, they
form a formidable team • Jing-Yi Ng, member of the HSA Board of Directors
committed to achieving and clinical pharmacist at Burnaby General Hospital.
the collective agreement
changes that HSA members • Sapan Behar, registered respiratory therapist,
need. Royal Columbian Hospital (Fraser Health Authority
representative)
If you’d like to learn
more about the details of • Samantha Carroll, physiotherapist, Royal Jubilee
the bargaining process, Hospital (Island Health Authority Representative)
there’s an engaging new
explanatory video available • Cheryl Greenhalgh, radiological technologist, Royal
on HSA’s YouTube channel Columbian Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health
at https://bit.ly/3ohOjah. Authority representative)
• Jennifer Hiscock, registered respiratory therapist,
University Hospital of Northern BC (Northern Health
Authority representative)
• Candis Johnson, supported child development
consultant, Child Development Centre of Prince
George (Affiliate employers representative)
• Kathleen Lee, dietitian, St. Paul’s Hospital (Providence
Health Care representative)
• Allen Peters, radiological technologist, Nicola Valley
Hospital (Interior Health Authority representative)
• Kieran Shoker, clinical pharmacist, BC Cancer Agency
– Prince George (Provincial Health Services Authority
representative)
11YOUNG WORKERS
SPECIAL FEATURE
Stories from the Atmospheric River
The series of atmospheric rivers that hit southwestern British Columbia in late November caused flooding and
mudslides that affected the lives of many HSA members, with those living in Merritt and Princeton among the
worst hit. HSA’s Board of Directors created a flood relief fund to assist members with immediate expenses
caused by evacuations.
We spoke to a few members about how they were impacted by these recent events. These stories highlight
how these events brought out the best in many, and include some ideas for how we can prepare for future
natural disasters, while helping those affected by this one.
Trapped on the Highway Isolated in Hope
When Region 8 Director Cher Hylands left her home in Deb Cline lives in Hope and works in the
Peachland, she expected her drive down to a meeting Imaging Department at Fraser Canyon
in New Westminster would take her around four hours. Hospital. She, her colleagues, and her
Instead, she and her husband spent the next three nights community were entirely cut off from the rest
sleeping in their car after they became trapped between of the province for several days as a result of
two mudslides on Highway 7 east of Hope. “It was quite highway damage caused by the atmospheric
the experience”, says Cher, “but it wasn’t the worst thing.” river. Approximately 1500 travelers were also
stranded in the town, adding 25 per cent to
For the first two nights, she was stuck with what she the usual population.
estimates were almost 1,000 other vehicles. The rain
was intense, but stranded travelers shared food, water, So many travelers were stranded that many
and other supplies. Hylands had some supplies in her of them were housed on the floor of the
car, as she’d been worried about the risk of snow, but Hope Secondary School, while others slept
not enough for multiple days. She refilled her water by in their cars. Grocery stores sold out of food
leaving a container on the roof of her car to catch rain, and gas stations ran out of fuel. As many
and luckily had enough fuel to be able to run her car stranded travelers hadn’t brought a multi-day
engine every few hours to warm up. supply of their medication with them, Deb
reports that the emergency department at
Unfortunately, her group was stranded in an area with the hospital was inundated with medication
very little cellular reception. The only information requests.
they were able to receive was through occasional text
messages from family. After two nights, Highway 7 was There were also problems getting staff
cleared through to Hope, a fact they only realized when to work, as staff who lived in nearby
vehicles in front of them began driving. communities like Chilliwack and Agassiz were
completely unable to make it into Hope. Staff
She and her husband drove to Hope, realized they members who did live in Hope stepped up
couldn’t go any further, and spent a third night in their and kept things working for the first several
car, this time in the parking lot outside the Flying J. Late days. The storm was so severe that it initially
the next afternoon, they heard that Highway 7 from Hope wasn’t possible to fly staff or patients in or
to Vancouver would be open for a few hours to allow out of Hope; a team from Surrey Memorial
stranded travelers to leave Hope. They travelled in a slow- Hospital, including a respiratory therapist,
moving convoy, and took about five hours to drive from made it in after being driven down the train
Hope to their hotel in Burnaby. tracks by a CN employee. Later, more staff
and supplies were brought in by train from
Once she arrived in the Lower Mainland, she realized that Agassiz before Highway 1 reopened.
there was no road open to allow her to get home. She
stayed in a hotel for the weekend, participated in the When she spoke with The Report, Deb was
HSPBA Bargaining Proposal Conference the next week, grateful that things turned out well for both
and waited for a route to open up. Eventually Highway 99 her worksite and her community. The people
was opened, allowing Hylands and her husband to take a of Hope worked together, shared what they
seven and a half hour drive home via Cache Creek. had, and ensured that both local residents
and stranded travelers made it through
On her to-do list today? Adding more supplies to her car several very challenging days.
emergency kit.
12Helping in the Fraser Valley
When flooding hit the Fraser Valley, HSA steward Kris Lally
and her brother Pambir Lally wanted to help. As long-time
Abbotsford residents, they used their connections in the
community to start providing much-needed help. Along with
friends and family, their group grew until it became the Kirpa
(Punjabi for kindness or blessing) Collective.
The Kirpa Collective grew quickly into a group of more than
100 volunteers working all across southwestern BC. Members
of the collective, working with other community groups
like the Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar in Surrey, provided food
to evacuees and first responders, fundraised to buy much-
needed supplies, and mobilized volunteers to help with
sandbagging. That wasn’t enough, however, and the group
reached out to local pilots to begin shipping supplies by
plane and helicopter. So far, they’ve been able to help out
in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Merritt, Kamloops, Lytton,
Boston Bar, Nooaitch Band, Nicomen Band, Coldwater
Band, Chawathil First Nation, Seabird Island Band, Sts’ailes
Community, and Princeton.
The tough reality is that those most affected by the floods
won’t be able to return to their homes any time soon. Many
people in many communities have lost nearly everything, and
others will be completely cut off until highways are repaired.
The Kirpa Collective has continued their good work and, as we
move into late December 2021, has started a holiday toy drive
to ensure every child affected by the flooding has a toy to
open during the holiday season.
It is heartening to see the Kirpa Collective move from a small
group figuring out how to respond to an emergency into
a larger organization that shows us the power of coming
together to support our communities. HSA’s Board of
Directors wanted to support the Collective’s mission, and
recently donated $5000. If you’d like to help out, you can find
the Kirpa Collective at kirpacollective.org.
TOP: DONATIONS AND SMALL PLANE, COURTESTY OF THE KIRPA
COLLECTIVE. BOTTOM: DONATIONS FOR THE ARCHWAY FOOD BANK IN
ABOTTSFORD COLLECTED BY HSA STAFFER CAROL-LEE CAMPBELL.
Packing an Emergency Kit for your Vehicle
According to Public Safety • Small shovel, scraper and • Sand, salt or cat litter
Canada, a basic car emer- snowbrush (non-clumping)
gency kit should contain the • Candle in a deep can and • Antifreeze and
following: matches windshield washer fluid
• Wind‑up flashlight • Tow rope
• Food that won’t spoil, • Whistle—in case you • Jumper cables
such as energy bars need to attract attention • Fire extinguisher
• Water—plastic bottles • Roadmaps • Warning light or road
that won’t break if the • Copy of your emergency flares
water freezes (replace plan
them every six months) If you’d like more tips from
• Blanket As well as these larger items, Public Safety Canada, you
• Extra clothing and which you should keep in can find them on Twitter:
shoes or boots your trunk: @Get_Prepared
• First aid kit with
seatbelt cutter
13Walking the Dual Roads:
Neal Panton, Respiratory Therapist
BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN
“Art of all kinds speaks to
Colleagues at the East my photographs. It was a
us in such profound ways.
Kootenay Regional Hospital wonderful experience.”
It can carry us through all
know Neal Panton as
sorts of situations,” says
the caring and efficient Although Neal’s main
Neal. “I still remember the
respiratory therapist who photographic subject is
music I was listening to
works alongside them. landscape, not people,
when my father died. That
Patients know him as the he has one long-term
music helped carry me
kind man who helps them photography project called
through.”
breathe, and perhaps saves Lifelines that focuses on
their lives. people in a very specific
For Neal, being a
way. For the past nine years,
photographer is about
What they may not know is Neal has been capturing
making connections with
that he is also a professional images of people’s hands,
people. “I want to connect
photographer—a career that using a high resolution
in a visual way, without
has run parallel to his health scanner. Subjects choose
words. There’s an alchemy
care work for decades. Neal how to pose their hands
in all creative processes—
has won multiple awards, and place them on the
you don’t know the ultimate
worked as a photojournalist scanner, creating interesting
outcome of your work till
for Reuters, taught patterns, gestures and
its reflected back at you by
photography and visual compositional dynamics.
someone’s reaction. People
literacy, been published The black and white
often respond to my images
in over 25 countries, had images are aesthetically
with their own narrative. My
15 solo exhibits and 58 powerful, and also
photo, their story.”
group exhibits in Canada, work as an alternative
Europe, the United States,
Because Neal is so
and South America, and SELF PORTRAINT BY NEAL PANTON
interested in how
self-published eight books
viewers respond to
showcasing his images.
his photographs, he
likes to be present
Neal has always enjoyed
when people see his
stepping back and forth
work. A highlight in
between the worlds of
2021 was being part
health care and visual
of the East Vancouver
art, but these days he
Culture Crawl, which he
appreciates more than ever
describes as “a four-
how nourishing the arts can
day blitz of 50,000
be. Creativity is a big part
people visiting studios
of what keeps him resilient
in East Van.” Neal
during these challenging
displayed a series
pandemic times, he says.
of photographs at a
friend’s studio and
“Photography makes it easy
spent the four days
for me to step into another
on site, talking with
mindset. Over the years of
visitors.
being both a photographer
and a respiratory therapist,
“I had a lot of laughs,
I’ve learned how to separate
shed a few tears,
the two; it’s like I have a
got a bunch of hugs,
door that closes when I
and spoke at length
walk out of the hospital. It
about life with many
usually shuts pretty tightly
people, having
most of the time, but these
that conversation
days that’s not so easy.”
standing in front of
Still, art provides solace and
an array of eight of
renewal.
14portraiture, highlighting studied broadcasting and America,” he says. “I lived in
the expressiveness and the then worked in radio for five South America for six and
individuality of hands. years. At that point, in his a half years, working as a
mid-20s, Neal realized radio guide and as a professional
“I’ve had so many wasn’t a good fit. photographer.”
meaningful conversations
with the subjects of these “I had volunteered as an Even while working full-time
during the creative process. ambulance driver and as a respiratory therapist,
People really open up. I realized that I like helping Neal puts consistent
just love the time I’ve spent people,” he says. His brother time and focus towards
talking and getting close,” was a respiratory therapist, photography. Holidays
he says. which gave Neal a good always include a few hours
understanding of what the of shooting every day, often
Neal’s appreciation of job entailed. He signed up early in the morning so the
photography’s power for training at the Michener rest of the day is free. But
to connect people goes Institute in Toronto and shooting is only one part of
back to his childhood. “My graduated in 1987 with being a photographer.
passion for photography a diploma in respiratory
was instilled at an early age. therapy. He is also a COPD/ “If I’m not out exploring and
I’m from an immigrant blue Asthma Educator. photographing, I probably
collar family. My parents spend at least two hours
would write letters back to “Being an RT suits my every day doing related
England, and always sent empathetic nature. You’re work—editing photos,
some photos. We’d get helping a person on what collating them, sending out
long letters back, also with is probably their worst day proposals, looking for work,
a photo. Those snapshots ever. It’s nice to be in that getting ready for exhibits,
were how I got to know mix,” says Neal. and publishing my books.”
the family we left behind,
and how we shared our Neal moved to Vancouver It sounds like a busy
experiences here in Canada. in 2000, where he worked lifestyle, but Neal is well-
Photography became a at St. Paul’s, UBC, and practiced at walking the
familiar path that made it Vancouver General Hospital. dual roads of fine art
easier to empathize with a He moved to Cranbrook in photographer and medical
world greater than my own,” 2006, worked for a private professional.
he says. health care company for
a few years, and has been See Neal’s work on the
He first picked up a camera at East Kootenay Regional cover of this issue and at
at age 22. “Right away, Hospital since 2009. Along Nealpanton.com.
making photographs felt the way, he’s always found
very intuitive,” he says. time for part-time and
full-time photography, and
But it was his love of music managed to see a lot of the
(he plays guitar and bass) world while doing it.
that led him into his first
career. After high school “I’ve travelled to India,
in Hamilton, Ontario, he Nepal, Europe, and South
‘‘ Over the years of being both a photographer and a respiratory therapist,
I’ve learned how to separate the two; it’s like I have a door that closes
when I walk out of the hospital. It usually shuts pretty tightly most of
the time, but these days that’s not so easy.”
- NEAL PANTON, RESPIRATORY THERAPIST
15Helping Children Cope: The Role of a Child
Life Specialist in MRI BY LISA DAECHSEL, CERTIFIED CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST
“I don’t want to be strapped Hospital, part of our role is times for MRI scans at BC
to the bed” “I’m scared of to assess children’s ability Children’s Hospital. In 2020,
loud noises” “I hate needles” to complete non-sedated there were 265 patients that
“There is no way my child imaging, as well as sup- were able to successfully
can lay still for that long” port children and families complete their MRI without
through procedures that sedation following a child life
These are just some of are often considered pain- simulator appointment.
the things that I hear from ful or anxiety inducing. Our
children and families regard- interventions include prepar- During this intervention, we
ing MRI imaging. For many ing the child and family using are able to address each
children and families, the developmentally appropriate child’s unique needs and
MRI experience can create language, helping children create coping strategies in
fear and anxiety. This is one understand diagnosis and collaboration with the family
example where the involve- procedures through play, to support children in having
ment of a child life specialist working with the family to a positive experience with
can be beneficial. create a coping plan for pro- their imaging. After we have
cedures, and providing non- completed our assessments,
As a child life specialist, pharmacological procedural we are also able to support
my role is to help infants, support before, during, and children on the day they re-
children, youth and families after painful or unfamiliar turn for their actual imaging,
cope with their hospital ex- procedural interventions. whether it is for a sedated
perience. Child life specialists scan or a non-sedated scan.
are experts in child devel- One procedure that is known Child life specialists are fully
opment and use evidence- to cause fear in children and integrated with the team
based, developmentally youth is MRI scans. Many of nurses, technologists,
appropriate interventions children have misconcep- radiologists and other staff
including therapeutic play, tions about the scan and lack in medical imaging and are
preparation, and education the confidence and informa- considered an essential part
to reduce pain, fear and tion to be able to successful- of departmental operations.
anxiety. ly complete imaging without
the use of sedation. As child One of my favorite parts
In the Medical Imaging life specialists, part of our of my job is meeting a
department at BC Children’s role is running the MRI simu- child when they arrive for a
lator program. MRI simulator simulator appointment, often
appointments are booked shy, fearful, and hesitant
one-on-one with a child life and then watching the same
specialist and allow children child leave at the end of the
the opportunity to come in appointment expressing ex-
advance of their MRI scan citement and confidence for
to practice each element of their MRI. Many parents are
their imaging. During the ap- initially doubtful that their
pointment, children are able child will be able to success-
to learn about each step of fully tolerate the equipment
the scan, explore the equip- and sounds of the MRI while
ment at their own pace, ask also laying still for extended
questions, clear up miscon- periods of time. After the
ceptions and practice laying appointment, I often hear
still inside our mock MRI ma- parents expressing how
chine. The result is a higher proud and surprised they are
percentage of children that that their child was able to
are able to complete their conquer their fears during
scan without any sedation, the appointment.
which results in decreased
medical risk for patients and Child life specialists make up
utilizes fewer resources dur- a fairly small part of the HSA
ing their visit. Having more membership but are an es-
children able to complete sential role within the world
non-sedated imaging in turn of pediatrics. To learn more
creates decreased wait list about the child life profes-
sion visit childlife.org.
LISA DAECHSEL AND “PATIENT”
16Staff Profile: Jennifer Brandt
Name: Jennifer Brandt
Job title and department: Senior Labour Relations Officer/Education Officer in CREAMO.
What you actually do, in your own words: I, along with Sharon Geoghegan, provide member
education for HSA. In the New Year, we’ll be offering training for new stewards, OHS stewards,
and co-ordinating numerous training opportunities for the general membership. I’m looking
forward to meeting you via WebEx, and eventually during in-person training!
Your favourite part about the job: I love training members. It’s very empowering for them to
learn about their role in the union, and to receive knowledge and tools that they can take back
to the workplace. Some of these members will go on to take leadership positions in HSA, and
it’s exciting to know I’ll be training our future board of directors and presidents.
Your job before HSA: I worked in the communications department for the BC Teachers’
Federation, and was a teacher in Japan and Surrey before that. I’ve taught students from K-12
and adult education. I was always very busy with union committee work and love advancing the
labour movement.
Secret talent unrelated
to job: During the early
days of the pandemic, I
learned I am quite good
at cutting hair for my
husband and our boys.
Not good enough for a
career change, but good
enough that they could go
in public without shame.
What you’re currently
binge-watching: We just
finished watching Squid
Game on Netflix. It’s a
Korean TV show, and
much like The Hunger
Games was held in Willy
Wonka’s chocolate
factory. Turn it on after
the kids are in bed,
though.
Your perfect day looks
like: Sleeping in, a good
latte, a walk in nature, and
a seafood dinner made by
someone other than me.
Wait, this sounds like a
line from a dating profile…
What solidarity means to
you: Doing the right thing,
even if it won’t benefit me
directly. What’s good for
my neighbour is good for
me.
JENNIFER BRANDT
17Core Member Engagement Team:
2021 Report
BY KARL RILEY
This past Fall, a group of that were then discussed
HSA members and staff and prioritized at our recent
came together to form the bargaining proposal con-
2021 Core Member Engage- ferences. These proposals
ment Team (also known outline members’ key issues
as the CMET). CMET is an and provide direction for
annual program aimed at bargaining committee mem-
identifying and developing bers going into next year’s
new activists and building negotiations. This is an im-
solidarity within our union. portant process and key to
Participants in this year’s ensuring we negotiate a new
program came from a vari- collective agreement that
ety of professions and repre- reflects the priorities of our
sented the experience and membership.
diversity of our membership.
The CMET also organized
Starting in late September a letter-writing campaign on the frontlines during the
and continuing until the to build awareness of the pandemic. We want to thank
middle of November, CMET work that HSA members do everyone who took the
members worked directly and to build support for a time to participate in this
with HSA’s organizing staff fair contract in the upcom- campaign. The letters will
to learn to new skills, and ing round of bargaining. As make a real difference and
help develop local chapters a union, HSA has always help the union deliver a fair
and identify new activists. understood the importance contract for you and your
Working in teams, the CMET of the work our members colleagues next year.
members were assigned a do and the challenges they
list of priority chapters to face every day to ensure Overall, this year’s CMET
focus their outreach and quality services for their program was successful and
engagement efforts on. Just patients and clients. We HSA is proud of what the
like last year, due to COVID also need to ensure that key team was able to accom-
the 2021 team was required decision-makers understand plish, especially given that
to work remotely and co- this well. The pandemic has COVID-19 restrictions meant
ordinate with each other shown just how vital health everything was coordinated
through WebEx and other care and community social virtually. We’re constantly
digital platforms. services are and why we impressed by our members’
need to continue to invest in commitment and dedica-
Each year, a campaign is these services and the hard- tion to their work, and their
developed to help support working people who provide ability to deliver even under
the CMET and mobilize them. the most challenging of cir-
HSA members around an cumstances and this was no
important issue. This year’s Who better to communicate different. We want to give a
campaign was focused on this than the people liv- huge thank you to the entire
the upcoming 2022 round of ing and working through it 2021 Core Member Engage-
bargaining; CMET members every single day? The letter- ment Team for everything
were tasked with helping writing campaign focused they did to help build and
chapters organize and hold on having members tell their strengthen our union during
bargaining proposal meet- own stories directly to their this year’s program. We’re
ings. local Member of the Leg- looking forward to doing
islative Assembly (MLAs) this again next year.
These meetings organized and the Minister of Health.
by the CMET were some of Many members stepped up
the most well-attended bar- and wrote very moving and
gaining proposal meetings powerful letters about the
in HSA’s history. They gener- challenges they have faced
ated hundreds of proposals day in and day out working
18Scholarship and Bursary Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 HSA scholarships and bursaries.
Scholarships
• Veronique Beaudet – Child of Linda Frodyma-Beaudet, Occupational Therapist at Vancouver General
Hospital
• Sarah Bond – Child of Karen Bond, Radiological Technologist at Penticton Regional Hospital
• Syrah Edge-Buchanan – Child of Christene Buchanan, Social Worker at Children’s and Women’s
• Sarrah Hohmann – HSA Member, Mental Health Intake Screener at Okanagan Correctional Centre
• Noah Kanji – Child of Zahra Kanji, Pharmacist at Lions Gate Hospital
• Kai Leong – Child of Bentley Leong, Physiotherapist at Sunny Hill Health Centre
• Sara Magdalinski – Child of Ellen Magdalinski, Registered Psychiatric Nurse at St. Paul’s Hospital
• Benjamin Quan – Child of Mae Quan, Speech/Language Pathologist at Holy Family Hospital
• Grady Smith – Child of Mercy Smith, Registered Psychiatric Nurse at Surrey Memorial Hospital
Full-time Bursaries
• Kaitlyn Adderley – Child of Craig Adderley, Radiological Technologist at Penticton Regional Hospital
• Ramzan Anjum – HSA Member, Medical Laboratory Technologist at Children’s & Women’s
• Zainab Anjum – Child of Ramzan Anjum, Medical Laboratory Technologist at Children’s & Women’s
• Tristen Bilawka – Child of Jennifer Bilawka, Medical Laboratory Technologist at St. Paul’s Hospital
• Carly Dirom – HSA Member, Cardiology Technologist at West Coast General Hospital
• Marnie Houtstra – Child of Sandra Houtstra, Radiologist Technologist at Kelowna General Hospital
• Andrea Lai – HSA Member, Dietitian at Surrey Memorial Hospital
• Cayce Laviolette – HSA Member, Social Worker at Sechelt Hospital
• Lynda Li – Child of Lucy Ou Luo, Cardiology Technologist at Burnaby Hospital
• Catherine Lo – HSA Member, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer at Vancouver General Hospital
• Malcolm Maxwell – Child of Anne Wichmann, Crisis Intervention Support Worker at Comox Valley
Transition Society
• Mallory McLeod – HSA Member, Residential/Community Support Worker at Future Focus (Gatehouse)
• Kim Nguyen – HSA Member, Pharmacist at BC Cancer - Vancouver
• Coral Ridinger – Child of Sarah Hensall, Adult Youth & Child Worker at Alberni Community & Women’s
Services Society
• Ansu Shaji – HSA Member, Cardiology Technologist at Surrey Memorial Hospital
• Sierra Shaw – Child of Kerry Carlson, Physiotherapist at Vernon Jubilee Hospital
• Simran Bhogal – HSA Member, Radiological Technologist at Surrey Memorial Hospital
• Bennett Brule – Child of Andrew Brule, Rehabilitation Engineer at Sunny Hill Health Centre
Part-time Bursaries
• Tamarra Arden – HSA Member, Radiological Technologist at Royal Jubilee Hospital
• Tara Emery – HSA Member, Social Worker at Castlegar Health Centre
• Hannah Robinson – HSA Member, Dietitian at St. Paul’s Hospital
• Mandeep Thandi – HSA Member, Anesthesia Asst. Supervisor at Vancouver General Hospital
Indigenous Bursaries
• Elainah Andrew – continuing her Dental Hygienist program at UBC.
• Chelsea Canuel – completing her Bachelor of Social Work Degree at UVIC.
19You can also read
