ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 - The following is a summary of ONA's key activities and successes since the last "The Work of the Union" update in summer ...
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ONA UPDATE:
WINTER 2019
The following is a summary of ONA’s key activities and successes since
the last “The Work of the Union” update in summer 2018.
Bargaining/Labour Relations
LLONA Senior Director of Labour Relations
Bev Mathers assumed the role of inter-
im Chief Executive Officer, promising
to work with the Board of Directors,
members and staff to ensure our union
remains vibrant and strong.
LLMembers at Thunder Bay District Health
Unit, the lowest paid public health nurs-
es in the province, were forced to strike
after mediation broke down when it
became clear the employer was not
prepared to negotiate a fair offer.
LLThroughout the five-week strike, mem-
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
bers walked the picket line with and nurses prepare for potential job action
received support from many individ-
uals and organizations, including the lic inquiry into the policies, proced-
ONA Board of Directors, members, staff, ures and oversight of long-term care
fellow Ontario and north American (LTC) homes wrapped up this fall, ONA
unions and other community groups, focused our attention on the next phase:
and unsuccessfully sought the assist- providing recommendations for chan-
ance of Premier Doug Ford when he ges to protect and improve the lives of
visited a pulp and paper mill in the city. LTC residents.
LLRadio ads featuring Thunder Bay District LLOur key recommendations include
public health nurses also began airing that: the Ministry of Health and Long-
on local radio stations to bring attention Term Care (MOHLTC) should immedi-
to their critical work and the employer’s ately increase LTC funding to reflect
unwillingness to get back to the bar- the actual needs of residents; for-profit
gaining table. homes must be phased out, replaced by
Peterborough Public Health members
LLONA won a second decision on the non-profit homes; a nurse-to-resident and their supporters stage successful
controversial vaccinate or mask (VOM) ratio must be set at 1:20; agency use info picket
policy, which forces nurses and other should be eliminated or the MOHLTC
health-care workers to wear an unfit- be given oversight of the agencies; RNs Facebook and newspaper ads, to pro-
ted surgical mask for the entirety of should be given wage parity with nurses mote their important work in the lead-
their shift if they choose not to receive working in the hospital sector; colleges up to mediation talks, where a settle-
the influenza vaccine, after Arbitrator and universities should provide more ment was reached.
William Kaplan struck down policy in education on gerontology and senior LLIn response to Bill 47, which proposes
effect at St. Michael’s Hospital and care; and a clinical placement in LTC changes to the Labour Relations Act,
several other hospitals that form the should be mandatory. 1995 and the Employment Standards Act,
Toronto Academic Health Science LLONA and other stakeholders will now 2000, ONA prepared recommendations
Network (TAHSN). meet with inquiry Commissioner Justice to the Standing Committee on Finance
LLIn his decision, Kaplan stated that Eileen Gillese, followed by plenary ses- and Economic Affairs, including that the
health-care workers having to wear a sions to further discuss possible recom- government: retain section 6.1, which
mask for their entire shift for possibly mendations, with a final report being permits trade unions to apply for an order
months on end when entirely free of delivered to the Attorney General by directing the employer to provide to the
symptoms is completely unreasonable July 31, 2019. trade union a list of its employees; main-
and contrary to the collective agree- LLPeterborough Public Health members tain the card-based certification pro-
ment, calling the policy “illogical.” launched a public awareness cam- cess for the home care and community
LLAs phase one of the independent pub- paign, including information pickets and services industry; retain mediation-arbi-
2 ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION
Thunder Bay District Health Unit public health nurses keep up the pressure during their five-week strike
tration for first collective agreements; LLONA continues to enroll new mem- Expense Assistance Plan (LEAP) Advisory
remove section 15.1, which will permit bers in the Nursing Homes and Related Team, and the Complaints Panel will be
the Ontario Labour Relations Board to Industries Pension Plan, which currently extended to December 31, 2019 so they
review the structure of Bargaining Units has assets of more than $1.8 billion ver- will all be selected at the same time.
upon application; and retain the current sus $688 million in January 2010. LLThe mandate of the Nursing Week Team
personal emergency leave provisions. LLAs ONA finalized the Gender Neutral will be amended to provide for a two-
LLONA launched another Have a Say ques- Comparison System (GNCS) with the year term, which is the same as the
tionnaire, which surveys members in Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) to other teams, instead of the current one.
all sectors on their bargaining priorities be used to evaluate all ONA job classes LLDr. Elaine Todres, who specializes in stra-
to help guide negotiating teams in the and potential male job classes within tegic and governance counsel and stra-
next round. the hospital sector, ONA is collaborat- tegic facilitation to executive leadership
LLThe Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan’s ing with the OHA to develop a draft of teams, has conducted a review of the
Board of Trustees, which includes rep- the job information questionnaire to be roles and responsibilities of the ONA
resentatives from ONA, is working with completed by incumbents. Board of Directors, which she explained
management to finalize the 2019-2023 LLONA attended a recent meeting of during a presentation at the November
Strategic Plan that will guide the delivery the Ontario Municipal Employees Provincial Coordinators Meeting.
of the pension promise for the long term. Retirement System, where proposed LLOntario midwives won a historic victory
LLAn election for the next Nursing Homes changes to the plan, affecting only in a groundbreaking pay equity case
Central Negotiating Team (one member benefits accrued after the implementa- that will have relevance to ONA mem-
from each of ONA’s five regions) took tion date, were highlighted, and we will bers, after a tribunal ruled the govern-
place in the fall, and the successful can- be actively engaged in the review pro- ment’s failure to proactively monitor
didates are: Judith Wright, Southbridge cess, submitting a brief to the Board out- midwives’ compensation and regularly
Lakehead (Region 1 – elected at the lining our opposition to these changes. negotiate with them over it constitutes
November Provincial Coordinators LLAfter staging an information picket out- discrimination.
Meeting); Shelley Vandenberg, Pleasant side the main public health office in LLLitigation with the community care
Meadow Manor (Region 2 – elected); Belleville to protest the lack of move- access centres (Local Health Integration
Mary Clarke, Sienna Living (Region 3 – ment at the bargaining table and to Networks) stemming from ONA’s May
acclaimed); Jean Kuehl, Forest Heights bring attention to the critical work they 2014 Application to the Pay Equity
LTC (Region 4 – acclaimed) and Sandra do for their community, more than 40 Hearings Tribunal continues, with hear-
Kravets, Brouillette Manor Ltd. (Region members from Hastings Prince Edward ing dates this past fall.
5 – acclaimed). Public Health reached a settlement with LL“The Effect of the Changing Legal Regime
LLAlong with fellow unions, ONA contrib- their employer during mediation, just regarding Cannabis in LTC Homes,”
uted to a 14-page Labour Day insert, days before their legal strike deadline. including employee and resident use
coordinated by the Ontario Federation of LLThe Canadian Blood Services Pension of medical and recreational cannabis in
Labour and published in the Toronto Star Plan outperformed the benchmark by the homes, employer policies, regula-
on September 1, which included a full one percentage point over the year. tory College issues, and occupational
page ad and a story entitled, “Advocating LLThe terms of the existing Nursing Week health and safety was the focus of our
for Nurses and Patients for 45 Years.” Team, the Election Team, the Legal most recent LTC teleconnect.
ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION 3
Government Relations/Work with Allies
LLImmediately following the provincial election, ONA pledged to work
with the new Ford government as much as we can to ensure the prior-
ities of our members and the public are heard.
LLWe began by sending letters of congratulations to all of the members
of the Ontario legislature, along with a brochure that talks about what
nurses do and the value of more RN staffing.
LLONA President Vicki McKenna held meetings with the Minister of Health
and Long-Term Care Christine Elliott, Deputy Minister Helen Angus and
Minister of Labour Laurie Scott, who is a registered nurse, to establish
relationships.
LLWe are increasing our complement of professional practice and gov-
ernment relations staff to assist with members’ serious workload issues
and to voice our key concerns at government tables.
LLBecause these two areas are so intrinsically linked – decisions at ONA President Vicki McKenna is surrounded by CFNU and
Queen’s Park affect our members’ ability to provide quality patient provincial nursing union leaders during a roundtable on
pharmacare at the Council of the Federation summit
care – ONA created the new position of
Senior Director of Nursing Practice and
Advocacy, welcoming Carol Anderson,
RN, BScN, MScN, into that role.
LLWe have also reached out to the Council
on Improving Healthcare and Ending
Hallway Medicine, which was set up
by the Ford government and is being
chaired by Former Humber River Hospital
CEO Rueben Devlin.
LLONA is supporting the Ontario Federation
of Labour’s campaign to fight back
against the government’s Bill 47, which Local 237 Coordinator Mandeep
Sangha joins ONA President
repealed many of the labour laws of the
NNU representatives meet with ONA members Vicki McKenna at a Queen’s Park
previous Liberal government’s Bill 148, at a Toronto hospital rally for public health care
while we prepared our submission on
the changes. for health workforce planning, which is deal with severe understaffing in long-
LLA delegation from National Nurses mandated to develop a process and plan term care, community and home care.
United (NNU), the largest nurses’ union to build workforce capacity in all sec- LLONA participated in a CFNU roundtable,
in the United States with 150,000 mem- tors, and ONA President Vicki McKenna held in conjunction with the annual
bers, was warmly welcomed to our prov- is a participant. Council of the Federation summit in
incial office, where we shared strategies LLWe are continuing our efforts at the New Brunswick, to provide premiers and
and information as the American nurses federal level on our national health pri- stakeholders with the opportunity to
lobby for a single-payer health-care sys- ories with our partners the Canadian discuss health-related federal and fiscal
tem. Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), issues surrounding the implementation
LLAfter attending the “Stand up to Protect the Canadian Labour Congress and the of a national pharmacare plan.
Public Health Care” rally at Queen’s Canadian Health Coalition, including LLAs the government is moving forward
Park, where NNU co-president Jean Ross adequately funding our public health- with hiring an additional RN for each of
spoke to the crowd, the NNU contingent care system; putting forward a health the province’s 627 nursing homes, ONA
toured a Toronto hospital to speak with human resources plan to hire more updated the Assistant Deputy Minister of
ONA members. nurses and stop RN cuts; developing a Health and Long-Term Care on the vari-
LLThe Ministry of Health and Long-Term national prescription drug program; and ous approaches employers are taking
Care has set up an advisory committee developing a safe seniors’ strategy to with respect to this funding.
4 ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION
LLONA attended the OFL’s leaders’ strategy this important work and the need for unity
summit, “Under Fire. Our Future Under during a passionate speech at the November
Ford” to collectively chart the path and Provincial Coordinators Meeting.
plan of action for a coordinated response LLThe Ontario Health Coalition held its Annual
to the challenges facing organized Meeting and Health Action Assembly to
labour and our social democratic values design a blueprint for campaigns that it and
under the new government. its members, including ONA, will embark on
OFL President Chris Buckley speaks
LLOFL President Chris Buckley addressed in the next year. to November PCM delegates
Member Education
LLONA workshops continued to be popu- gating options for our eLearning platform
lar, with a total of 217 full-day, 125 half- that will ensure a robust environment for
day and 57 lecturettes delivered up until our adult learners into the future.
October 31 of this year, and almost 2,800 LLMembers continued to embrace video
members in attendance. lecturettes, with 489 completions up
LLThe overall workshop satisfaction rate until October 31, 2018.
was an almost perfect 97.17 per cent. LLThe most popular of our 13 video lectur-
LLELearning, which provides free online ettes include Duty to Accommodate;
ONA President Vicki McKenna welcomes
education to ONA members, was a Understanding Conflict; ONA Profes- Leadership Summit participants
favourable option, with approximately sional Practice; Harassment, Mobbing
419 program completions in the first and Bullying; and How to be Both a Pro- LLOur annual Leadership Summit and
few months of 2018 for the 25 program fessional and Union Member. Activist Camp brought together 88
offerings. LLAnother lecturette in development, ONA novice and advanced ONA leaders and
LLThe most popular eLearning pro- Membership has its Privileges, will out- engaged members for a week-long edu-
grams are Professional Responsibility line the structure of ONA, the labour cational and solidarity-building event.
Workload Report Form – Hospital Sector; relations services we provide to mem- LLLocal 75 Vice-President Grace Pierias
Harassment, Mobbing and Bullying; bers, and the importance of members explained to Front Lines that attending
Return to Work Level I: Is Your Workplace signing their union cards. ONA’s Leadership Summit and Activist
Making You Sick?; Return to Work Level LLMargaret Buis, who works at the Centre Camp last year not only made her more
II: Legislation; and Workplace Safety and for Addiction and Mental Health in engaged in the work of the union, “it
Insurance Act: What You Need to Know. Toronto, told Front Lines that receiving literally changed my life.”
LLONA Structure/Bargaining Unit Structure ONA’s Glenna Rowsell Bursary for mem- LLWith the first phase of the long-term
has been added to the eLearning lineup bers pursing labour relations education care inquiry ending and ONA’s participa-
this fall. – just one of the many bursaries we tion continuing, the education session at
LLONA’s Membership Education and offer each year – has proven invaluable the November Provincial Coordinators
Events Team, in conjunction with the in moving forward with her professional Meeting focused on the lessons learned
Information Technology Team, is investi- development. and next steps.
Listening intently at the Leadership
Summit Questions are raised by eager ONA learners
ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION 5
Local Political Action/Member Engagement
LLMany Locals are taking advantage of the marginalized and disadvantaged women. credentials recognized after emigrat-
$1,000 available to them each year spe- LLThe call was extended to all members, ing from Wales several years ago, and
cifically for political action work (Policy many of whom are making plans to donated her $500 gift to two homeless
26.11) and including that in their budget meet with their MPPs during upcoming shelters in St. Catharines.
preparations. Constituency Weeks with the assistance LLMembers in Grey-Bruce counties pick-
LLMembers from Health Sciences North in of an MPP Lobby Kit provided by ONA. eted outside of MPP Lisa Thompson’s
Sudbury joined fellow unions and other LLOnce again, Local 4 staffed a booth at constituency office, chanting “hands
supporters, including members of the the popular Keady Market in Tara, hand- off our publicly-funded and delivered
ONA Board of Directors and staff, for ing out 2,000 reusable bags with ONA health-care system!”
a rally to protest ongoing cuts at the slogans Nurses know and Better Care LLWhile Women’s College Hospital (WCH)
facility. Starts Here on them, and discussing proceeded with the layoff of four full-
LLMany also attended an Ontario Health health care and key issues of nurses. time primary RN positions at its Family
Coalition (OHC) town hall in the city LLLocal 35 (Chatham-Kent) Executive Practice Centre despite strong advo-
where job cuts at the facility were top members laid a wreath on behalf of cacy from ONA, including two rallies
of the agenda. all their members during a special outside the building, we asked members
LLSeveral participants at the Leadership Remembrance Day ceremony in their to help us with one final push, sending
Summit and Activist Camp took up community. a personalized or templated email to
our call to meet with their MPPs this LLRegional Municipality of Niagara public the WCH Board asking that the cuts be
fall to discuss our priorities of ensur- health nurse Gaynor Quieros was named rescinded.
ing exceptional patient care through the Joan Lesmond Internationally LLMembers from across the province con-
the RN Advantage, protecting the safety Educated Nurse of the Year for over- verged at Queen’s Park, along with ONA
of health-care workers, and supporting coming significant obstacles to have her President Vicki McKenna and members
Gaynor Quieros, a public
health nurse, is named
the Joan Lesmond
Internationally Educated
Nurse of the Year
ONA President Vicki
McKenna and First VP
Cathryn Hoy chat with
members at the newly
reopened Port Perry
Hospital
Members and staff rally against layoffs outside Women’s College Grey-Bruce members protest outside of MPP Lisa Thompson’s
Hospital’s Family Practice Centre constituency office
6 ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION
Pets are
welcome at the
Health Sciences
North rally to
protest cuts Throughout the province members support Labour Day Local 35 members sponsor a little league soccer team
parades and events in Blenheim
of the Board of Directors, for a mass conversations about the state of health LLDurham Regional Health Department
OHC rally calling on the Ford govern- care and the role of RNs in all sectors. public health nurse Cynthia Rogers was
ment to protect public health care. LLDuring a particularly moving site visit to honoured by the Mississaugas of Scugog
LLLocal 45 stepped up to the plate when Port Perry Hospital, members regaled Island First Nation for her ongoing work
the London United Way requested assist- ONA President Vicki McKenna, First with the community on smoke-free
ance and sponsors to make it the “best Vice-President Cathryn Hoy and Region initiatives.
day ever” for children in need heading 3 Vice-President Andy Summers with LLLocal 35 sponsored a Blenheim little
back to school, purchasing backpacks stories of how they had to work else- league soccer team, whose members
and pencil cases for 40 boys and girls. where for an entire year while their adorned brightly-coloured shirts bear-
LLIn all parts of the province members par- hospital was closed for fire repairs and ing the ONA logo.
ticipated in Labour Day events, including how warmly they were welcomed back LLThe successful candidates were chosen
parades, picnics, soap box derbies and by their community, the subject of a for ONA’s 2018 Member Secondment
car shows, to show their communities letter to the editor of the Port Perry Star Program, which aims to increase know-
that “labour cares” and to engage in by McKenna. ledge, skills and confidence in grievance
handling and negotiations: Alexandra
Hospital Bargaining Unit President
Pat Daltrey, Kilean Lodge Bargaining
Unit President Anna Sorrenti-Sorbara,
Kingston Health Sciences Centre Health
and Safety Network Lead Adriana Breen,
and Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health Human Rights and Equity Rep
Maraget Buis.
LLONA members continued to stand up
for their patients and stand out from the
crowd of health providers by embracing
the Wear White on Wednesdays cam-
Members wrap themselves in our flag at
the OHC rally to protect health care Local 35 remembers paign.
Organizing ONA membership offers, and additional
LLONA held three successful certification ParaMed Home Health Care – Muskoka campaigns are underway.
votes during this time period, welcom- (29 RNs and RPNs). LLWe also continued to monitor the trans-
ing new members from Extendicare LLThe Retention and Recruitment Team fer of health services across the prov-
– Van Dan Manor (19 RNs), Chartwell fielded calls from RNs and allied health ince and are filing PSLRTA applications
Wynfield Long-Term Care (12 RNs), and professionals seeking the benefits that when necessary to protect our work.
ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION 7
Health and Safety/WSIB
LLONA continued to remind members to report all workplace violence incidents, which
is their legal duty, so that employers are aware of all workplace hazards and can act
on them and the Ministries of Labour and Health and Long-Term Care understand how
serious this issue is and fund and enforce preventive items for worker protection and
patient safety.
LLThe second phase of the provincial Violence Leadership Table has begun with ONA
A scene from one of Local 8’s powerful
President Vicki McKenna serving as ONA’s representative. workplace violence ads
! WARNING
WORKING IN HEALTH CARE
MAY CAUSE INJURIES
AND ILLNESS
Comparison of Lost-time Injuries in Ontario, 2017, by Sector
Health Care Manufacturing Construction Mining
MSD1
Workplace
Violence
2872 2303 1525 68 863 119 19 0
Exposures2
ILLUSTR ATION NOT TO SCALE
Falls
ONA cohosts the Sixth International Conference on 877 241 153 22 1266 1141 1277 40 CFNU launches a petition on violence in
Violence in the Health Sector the workplace
1
Musculoskeletal Disorders (soft-tissue injuries to the low-back, shoulder, arm, etc.)
2
Exposures may include infectious disease, medical waste, mould, radiation, etc.
Ontario Nurses’ Association
Data Source: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board EIW Claim Cost Analysis Schema, June 2018 data snapshot. www.ona.org
LLPhase 2 is focusing on long-term care and LLONA encouraged members to support a of loss of earnings for a member who
the community sector, and ONA lead- petition of the Canadian Federation of was forced by the WSIB to return to work
ers and staff are also sitting on working Nurses Unions (CFNU) asking the federal eight hours a day, five days a week even
groups and advisory tables at the prov- Minister of Health for national action to though medication documentation sup-
incial level to ensure that our members’ stop violence against health-care workers. ported otherwise.
voices are heard and to push for improve- LLLocal 8 in Windsor released the second LLBoard members and our Health and Safety
ments that will make a difference. and third of four powerful ads to raise Specialists greeted three Korean Union
LLThe government indicated that many public awareness about the serious and government representatives interest-
Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspectors have issue of workplace violence, which play ed in ONA’s occupational health and safe-
received violence training as a result before all feature films at the city’s ty work, particularly regarding violence.
of the 23 consensus recommendations Imagine Cinemas, except those geared LLWe attended the CFNU’s annual occupa-
stemming from the first phase of the towards children, along with video and tional health and safety meeting, where
Violence Leadership Table, and we are still ads on digital screens to ensure information was shared and gathered
seeking concrete enforceable improve- maximum exposure. from across the country.
ments, including root cause investiga- LLONA cohosted the Sixth International LLONA worked with the College of Nurses
tion tools, personal panic alarms and risk Conference on Violence in the Health of Ontario, the Registered Nurses’
assessments. Sector in Toronto, where ONA President Association of Ontario and the Registered
LLONA has updated our downloadable Vicki McKenna delivered a speech to Practical Nurses Association of Ontario
infographic that compares lost-time the delegates from 35 countries, high- on a Nurse Health Program for all nurs-
injuries in Ontario in 2017 by sector, lighting our important work in effecting es in Ontario with mental health issues,
with health care leading the way in legislative change to improve violence including addictions, which fully launch-
falls, exposures, workplace violence and prevention; several ONA Local leaders es in January 2019.
musculoskeletal disorders. also participated on panel discussions LLIn conjunction with the Ministry of Health
LLEleanor Adarna, who works at University on violence prevention initiatives in and Long-Term Care, ONA is working
Health Network, was recognized by their workplaces. with the Public Services Health & Safety
the Workers Health & Safety Centre LLLocal 8’s violence in the workplace ads Association on the development of an
and Region 3 for outstanding service were shown to delegates of the confer- Organizational Risk Assessment program
and dedication to improving the work ence, ensuring a world-wide audience. framework for infectious disease threat
environment. LLONA won entitlement for reinstatement exposure in health organizations, which
8 ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION
is being developed first for hospitals and then adapted
to other health-care organizations.
Communications and
LLAs a result of our advocacy in health and safety, a num- Campaigns
ber of employers are now working with our Bargaining
LLONA launched a new phase of our Nurses know provincial advertising
Unit leaders on violence programs, including the
campaign, which promotes the message of the value of nurses in our
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in
health-care system, by airing ads in movie theatres, social media and
Toronto and The Ottawa Hospital.
on the radio.
LLAt a summer union- and employer-sponsored barbe-
LLSeveral of ONA’s impressive communications vehicles won presti-
cue at CAMH, attended by members of the Board of
gious Apex Awards, which recognize excellence in publishing by
Directors, members and staff, CEO Dr. Catherine Zahn
professional communicators in the areas of graphic design, editorial
handed out a scroll of achievements obtained in the last
content, and the ability to achieve overall communications great-
year related to violence prevention, including updating
ness: App – Special Purpose: the ONA app; Annual Report – Print 32+
personal alarms for all staff, new supervisory compe-
Pages: The 2017 Work of the Union Biennial Report; and Design and
tency training, zero tolerance posters, psychological
Illustration – Infographics: Violence infographic.
services for staff and physicians, and the regular comple-
LLWe also won the Apex Grand Prize in the Campaigns, Programs and
tion of Joint Health and Safety Committee inspections.
Plans category for our Human Rights and Equity Vignettes, a compos-
LLONA is endorsing a research project called, “The
ite of member experience with stereotypes, which were shown at the
Impact of Organizational Programs and Supports
2017 Human Rights and Equity Caucus.
on the Psychological Health Outcomes of Workers
LLONA’s online presence continues to grow month after month with no
Exposed to Patient Violence in Long-Term Care and
signs of slowing down.
Home Care Organizations.”
LLFrom August to October, our website page views were primarily
LLThe Board has approved the education focus for the
focused on four main themes: the hospital arbitration award, ONA’s
2019 Health and Safety Caucuses: New Musculoskeletal
vaccinate or mask policy win at the Toronto Academic Health
Guidelines from the Centre for Research Expertise for
Science Network, the strike of public health nurses at the Thunder
the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD),
Bay District Health Unit, and our Have a Say bargaining survey.
located at the University of Waterloo, which will help
LLThe rest of the website content continued to receive steady page
employers and workers understand and recognize
views and actions.
MSD hazards, conduct an MSD risk assessment, choose
LLOur social pages (Facebook and Twitter) continued to attract addi-
and implement MSD hazard controls, and conduct an
tional interested followers each month, with more than 25,400 users
evaluation.
following our Facebook page and more than 16,100 following us on
LLONA President Vicki McKenna met with Ministry of
Twitter.
Labour (MOL) leadership regarding breaches at our
LLThe top content on our social feeds was the Thunder Bay public
members’ workplaces, including a tardy response to
health nurses strike, which garnered more than 2,000 reactions
work refusal and stoppage, and failure to issue orders
(likes, shares, comments) and further bolstered online support for
because an MOL inspector did not personally witness
our members.
an incident.
LLONA President Vicki McKenna continued to reach a wide audience
LLThe most recent health and safety webinar focused on
with her popular podcast series on current issues and union priorities.
the “Public Services Health and Safety Association’s
Violence, Aggression & Responsive Behaviour (VARB)
Security Toolkit,” which explained how the toolkit can
help assist organizations to establish effective security
programs, increase awareness and understanding of
security functions/roles/responsibilities and identify
program gaps, and develop customized action plans.
LLONA solemnly observed National Day of Remembrance
and Action on Violence Against Women, a day com-
memorated in Canada each December 6 on the anni-
versary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, in
which armed student Marc Lépine murdered 14 women
and injured 10 others.
ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION 9
Professional Issues
LLONA made additional gains for our mem-
bers in addressing their workload and
professional practice complaints (PRCs)
and have been able to reach settle-
ments prior to having to advance to
an Independent Assessment Committee
(IAC).
LLOne such settlement addressed the ser-
ious workload issues of RNs on the medi-
cine floors at Guelph General Hospital,
including insufficient RNs and resource
nursing staff, and an inappropriate skill
mix, which resulted in the employer
agreeing to increase RN staffing by three
full-time resource nurse positions, and
hire five full-time nursing positions to
the medicine program to increase the
nurse-to-patient ratio and ensure an
appropriate skill mix.
LLChaired by Region 4 Vice-President
Laurie Brown, the 2018 Nursing Week
Advisory Team held a teleconference to within underserved populations, com-
reflect back on the theme, products and munities and settings.
activities from the past Nursing Week. LLProfessional Practice launched a pilot
LLThe 2019 Nursing Week Team met to project that moved three specialist
begin planning for the next Nursing from provincial nurses’ union counter- positions from the Toronto office into
Week, and recommendations from both parts. the North, East and West offices, and
of these teams is being considered by LLONA is supporting a York University we are already seeing benefits, includ-
the Board. study called, “What’s Past is Prologue: ing more informal consultation in the
LLUnder the theme, Delivering Essential Comparing Long-Term Care (LTC) offices, which provides servicing Labour
Care through Technology, ONA cele- Workers & Working Conditions between Relations Officers with advice.
brated Medical Radiation Technologists Canada and the Nordic Countries…Ten LLUnder the theme Advancing the
(MRT) Week to recognize and raise Years Later,” which is a remake of an LTC Profession, ONA was proud to celebrate
awareness of the vital role MRTs, many survey comparing Canada to the Nordic and acknowledge our invaluable health-
of whom are ONA members, play in the countries a decade ago. care professionals in many Bargaining
health-care system. LLONA recognized the vital role nurse Units who perform a wide range of
LLONA’s Professional Practice lead practitioners play in our health-care tasks, including assessing, monitoring
is currently providing input into two system during Nurse Practitioner (NP) and treating individuals’ respiratory and
Registered Nurses’ Association of Week, held to celebrate and increase cardiorespiratory disorders; testing and
Ontario Guidelines: End of Life Best recognition of the exceptional care they measuring lung function; administering
Practice Guideline and Vascular Access provide to communities across Ontario. inhaled medical drugs and gases; and
Guideline. LLA landmark report from the CFNU, providing tools and support for smoking
LLA Professional Practice Specialist entitled Fulfilling Nurse Practitioners’ cessation programs during Respiratory
attended the Canadian Federation Untapped Potential in Canada’s Health Therapists Week.
of Nurses Unions (CFNU) Professional Care System, found that NPs are the LLBecause of the rising acuity and com-
Practice meeting to share ideas, chal- solution to Canada’s long-standing plexity of professional practice files and
lenges and successes and learn of shortage of primary care providers, challenges facing the health-care sector
developments and trends in this area access and wait time issues, especially today, Professional Practice Specialists
10 ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATIONhave been undergoing education to Forms, legalities and cases. instead of more appropriate RNs.
enable them to identify labour relations LLProfessional Practice became involved LLWe continued to struggle with the
issues outside of practice. in the Sault Area Hospital Surgical Unit College of Nurses of Ontario’s (CNO)
LLDuring the most recent Professional in May 2017, and since that time, the stance on what its registrar Find a Nurse
Practice teleconnect on “Workload parties have been working to resolve should say with respect to NPs who
and Legal Issues Related to Nursing our members’ serious issues, agreeing to choose not to complete the special
Documentation,” members of the a pilot project to assist with the staffing education that will allow them to pre-
Professional Practice and Legal Expense issues, with a six-month evaluation to scribe controlled substances.
Assistance Plan teams, reviewed nurs- determine if it has been successful. LLThe most recent NP teleconnect provid-
ing accountability, how documentation LLONA continued to work with our ed listeners with an update on the CNO
supports nursing practice and patient Canadian Blood Services Bargaining register, a recent PRC settlement, the
care, how to document on Professional Units as workload issues increased while long-term care inquiry, and the CFNU’s
Responsibility and Workload Reporting donor associates screened patients, NP Report.
Human Rights/Accommodation/Return to Work
LLONA continued to advance the human ance management policies, failure to LLFor ONA members in Chatham-Kent,
rights of our members in a number of accommodate, or discipline related to Pride 2018 was particularly meaning-
ways, through advocacy by Local execu- a disability. ful, as the city held its first-ever parade
tives and Labour Relations Officers, the LLThe annual Human Rights and Equity where many residents cheered the ONA
Human Rights and Equity Team, griev- Caucus, the best attended ever, kicked contingent and thanked them for the
ance arbitration, the WSIB Team, occu- off the Provincial Coordinators Meeting care they provide.
pational health and safety, and at times under the theme, Healing the Caregiver: LLHolding signs reading, “Every Child
before the College of Nurses of Ontario Helping Members with Addictions. Matters,” Region 1 Vice-President
by way of our Legal Expense Assistance LLThe well-received Caucus featured Pam Mancuso joined other mem-
Plan Team. members’ touching personal stories of bers of Aboriginal Circle, one of the
LLA recent informal survey of grievance addiction, a lively panel discussion on Ontario Federation of Labour’s Standing
arbitrations shows that more than 90 helping members with addiction issues, Committees, for “Orange Shirt Day,”
per cent of cases engaging a human an overview of ONA’s Nurse Health when thousands of people gathered
rights ground are directly related to Program, and group work. across Canada to remember the victims
disability, usually falling into one of a LLThis was a record-setting year for ONA’s and survivors of residential schools.
number of categories: denial of short participation in Pride parades across LLUnder the theme of #MakeAnImpact, in
or long-term disability benefits, attend- the province, including Toronto, London, honour of the women and girls who’ve
Ottawa, Thunder Bay and Dryden. made a lasting impact as pioneers in
their field, ONA acknowledged Women’s
History Month this past October, a time
to celebrate the achievements and con-
tributions of women and girls across the
country and throughout our history.
LLOur most recent Provincial Human
Rights and Equity teleconnect discussed
medical marijuana and the workplace,
along with human rights considerations
for ONA members.
LLWe continued to work with employers to
establish joint programs that promote a
2018 was a record-setting year for strong health and safety culture, linking
attendance at Pride events Members mingle at the HRE Caucus
return to work with disability prevention.
ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION 11Student Affiliation LLThe Board of Directors approved an amendment to Policy 3.9
(ONA and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions Student
LLONA has named the successful recipients of our 2018 Nursing Scholarship) to name one of the existing nursing student schol-
Student Scholarship and the Ontario winner of the Canadian arships The Reese Fallon Scholarship, in honour of the 18-year-
Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) Scholarship, intended old victim of the Danforth shooting, who would have started
to assist students in accredited nursing programs cover the her first year of nursing at McMaster this fall, and increase this
expense of their education, and their names and snippets of particular scholarship from $1,000 to $2,000 beginning in 2019.
their winning essays began appearing in Front Lines. LLJerri Clout, the CNSA official delegate for the University of
LLMany ONA affiliate members, including Canadian Nursing Toronto, brought greetings from the CNSA to the November
Students’ Association (CNSA) official delegates past and PCM on behalf of Ontario Regional Director Daniela Monachino,
present, spoke out about the difficulties they face in their clin- who was unable to attend.
ical placements for a special feature section accompanying LLBoard members continued to participate in regular conference
Front Lines, which has been distributed widely to our nursing calls with CNSA leaders and campus delegates to learn about
students and other stakeholders. their issues firsthand so we can take them forward to the gov-
LLONA hosted a meeting of the CNSA Ontario official and associ- ernment and nursing stakeholders.
ate delegates at our provincial office, with more than 20 stu-
dents from nursing schools across the province in attendance.
LLAt the November Provincial Coordinators Meeting (PCM), ONA
warmly welcomed Danielle Kane, who had just finished her
first year of nursing at the University of Ontario Institute of
Technology when she was shot by a man spraying bullets on
Toronto’s Danforth Avenue while coming to the aid of another
victim, and her boyfriend Jerry Pinksen, an ONA member.
LLKane addressed delegates of the PCM, revealing she wants to
complete her nursing program, and a raffle was held to raise ONA President Vicki McKenna chats with shooting victim Danielle
Kane and her boyfriend Jerry Pinksen at the November PCM
funds for her recovery, which the Board matched.
CNSA Ontario delegates hold their annual meeting at ONA’s provincial office
ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATION
85 Grenville St., Ste. 400
Toronto ON M5S 3A2
Tel: (416) 964-8833 • Toll-free: 1-800-387-5580
Fax: (416) 964-8864
* To view “Work of the Union: Summer 2018 Update,” see the July/August issue of
Front Lines or log onto the ONA website at www.ona.org/workoftheunion.
Copyright © 2018 Ontario Nurses’ Association
12 ONA UPDATE: WINTER 2019 ONTARIO NURSES’ ASSOCIATIONYou can also read
