REFERENDUM 2018 This fall, British Columbians have a chance at electoral reform. But what are the impacts of proportional representation? - Health ...
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NO. 3 VOL. 39 September 2018 HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA B.C. ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVID EBY. PHOTO: PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA REFERENDUM 2018 This fall, British Columbians have a chance at electoral reform. But what are the impacts of proportional representation? Page 6
PRESIDENT’S REPORT AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE DEMOCRACY When this issue of The Report ity of people. More voters feel goes to print, it will be just over meaningfully represented by a month before referendum those sitting around the table. ballots are mailed out to Brit- This leads to more consistent ish Columbians asking us if we policy over time. If we look would like to see our provincial back on the last three decades elections determined through of politics in British Columbia, a first-past-the-post system, or we see dramatic shifts in policy through proportional represen- depending on the government tation (PR). A second ballot elected. Without a centrist question will give British Colum- party, B.C.’s political arena is no- bians the opportunity to vote tably polarized. A newly-elected for one of three proportional representation models, should government spends much of its “The wild swings of the time undoing the work of the PR be adopted. previous one, only to have its pendulum that we witness This fall marks a pivotal oppor- tunity for us to make a positive own policy changes reversed when power is lost. under our current first- reform to our voting system, The wild swings of the pen- past-the-post system with significant evidence from numerous academic studies - dulum that we witness under make it difficult to make our current first-past-the-post some spanning decades – iden- system make it difficult to make progress.” tifying a correlation between progress. With proportional proportional representation representation, governments systems and improved social are empowered to build off the HSA members adopted a 2018 and economic outcomes. policy work of previous govern- convention resolution in light While we may not have first- ments, because that policy was of the upcoming referendum hand experience with propor- shaped together. calling on the union to sup- tional representation in B.C., port PR and educate members Throughout history, our provin- ample evidence from around the on its benefits. We know that cial and federal electoral sys- world shows us that proportion- for many across the province, tems have undergone significant al representation systems lead supporting PR is a leap of faith. changes. Voting rights have to higher voter turnout, greater It’s uncharted territory for B.C., expanded over the course of voter satisfaction, lower income which makes our educational ef- the twentieth century to include inequality, more women elected, forts particularly important. The women, Asian immigrants, and lower national debt, and the list more British Columbians come Indigenous peoples. We’ve re- goes on. These are some of the to understand the benefits of formed political financing laws, reasons that over 80 per cent of PR, the more motivated we will redistributed electoral boundar- OECD countries have chosen to become to bring about electoral ies, altered the voting age, and adopt a proportional represen- reform. If you would like to join introduced new ways to vote. tation model. HSA’s member outreach efforts, Proportional representation is Proportional representation one more reform that makes get in touch with our office. We models encourage cross-party our system more inclusive, and would love to work with you on collaboration. Politicians of dif- ultimately, more democratic. It this important opportunity to ferent political stripes have to is one more step forward in the improve our voting system. work together to develop legis- strengthening of our political lation, and this results in policies system. that benefit a greater major- 2
NEWS IN BRIEF HSA A PROUD PARTICIPANT IN NEW WEST SOLAR GARDEN HSA has subscribed to a plot of five solar panels in the City of New Westminster’s urban solar garden, located on the rooftop of the Queensborough Community Centre. It is the first municipally-led, community Solar PV (Photovoltaic) initiative in Metro Vancouver. Through investing in the project, HSA will benefit from access to MAUREEN STORY (RIGHT) WITH COLLEAGUES renewable energy. HSA MEMBERS HSA MEMBERS RECEIVE BC INVITED TO HEALTH CARE AWARDS COMPLETE THE BC HEALTH CARE AWARDS ARE PRESENTED BY THE HEALTH NATIONAL EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION OF BC TO RECOGNIZE THE AMAZING PHARMACARE HEALTH TEAMS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH CARE DELIVERY. SURVEY The federal government has HSA would like to congratulate the project team from Sunny Hill struck an advisory council to Health Centre for Children awarded the Gold Apple level of the examine the implementation of Dianna Mah-Jones Award for its leadership in creating and deliv- a national Pharmacare program ering the International Seating Symposium, which most recently in Canada. An online survey has brought together 1100 participants from 26 countries to share been launched, giving people knowledge to improve the development of positioning and mobil- across Canada the chance to ity equipment. weigh in on questions surround- ing funding models, eligibility, Congratulations to project team members: Maureen Story, Cathe- and coverage. rine Ellens, Roslyn Livingstone, Bob Stickney, Jennifer Law, Lynore McLean, Sherylin Gasior, Kathie Marina, Marnie Eastman, Janice A 2018 HSA convention resolu- Evans, Beth Ott, Kim Magnus, Veronica Atwill, Andy Brule, Pedro tion directs the union to work Peralta Elgueta, Pablo Quintero, Todd Romer, Daphne O’Young, with allies to “urge the federal Nicole Bruce, Sandy Lum, Aki Shigematsu and provincial governments to establish a comprehensive and Congratulations are also in order to the project team of the Re- universal national Pharmacare sources and Needs Review Project of the Cumberland Community program.” Members are encour- Dialysis Facility of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for receiv- aged to complete the survey ing the Dianna Mah-Jones Award of Merit. The project team’s cre- and write to local MPs calling for ation of a patient-centred resource manual has improved access a universal, accessible, single- to resources for kidney care patients, and innovative develop- payer Pharmacare program. ments in dialysis screening have reduced test wait times. HSA has examined research produced by Canada’s leading Congratulations to team members: Aimee Morry and Eileen Caro- health economists and created lan. a guide to the survey to support members on the major issues. Dianna Mah-Jones was a long-time HSA member and a highly respected and caring occupational therapist at GF Strong Reha- It can be found online at www. bilitation Centre. She was part of the therapy team at Vancouver hsabc.org/news/members- Coastal Health for 35 years. She was well known across the region, guide-national-pharmacare- province and nationally in the occupational therapy field. Dianna survey. achieved many career goals over the years, notably the 2015 Out- Complete the online survey at standing Occupational Therapist of the Year from the Canadian www.letstalkhealth.ca/pharma- Association of Occupational Therapists BC. She and her husband care by September 28. were tragically killed at home in September 2017. 3
NEWS IN BRIEF COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS RATIFY THREE-YEAR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT WORKERS IN COMMUNITY low-wage redress to address SOCIAL SERVICES HAVE recruitment and retention issues RATIFIED A COLLECTIVE in the sector, in addition to a AGREEMENT HIGHLIGHTS two per cent wage increase per AGREEMENT, WITH 85.7 • Strong improvements to year. PER CENT OF VOTING occupational health & MEMBERS SUPPORTING The new agreement will come safety including a Provincial RATIFICATION. into effect April 1, 2019 and Occupational Health and Safety expire March 31, 2022. Council 16,000 workers across the prov- ince will be covered under the Kerry Hammell, a youth and • The restoration of statutory collective agreement, negoti- family counsellor at John holiday pay for part-time and ated by the Community Social Howard Society, alongside staff casual employees Services Bargaining Association negotiator Sharon Geoghegan, represented 1,000 HSA mem- • An improved process to assist (CSSBA). the parties in better labour bers at the bargaining table. The agreement provides signifi- Ratification meetings took place relations cant compensation increases for at HSA sites across the province • Enhancements to health and workers in the general services during the months of July and welfare benefit plans to start and community living sub- August. closing the gap with the health sectors, allocating money for sector • The renewal of the labour adjustment education fund and funding for health and safety and violence prevention training HSA DELEGATES IN COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES AT HSA’S BARGAINING PROPOSAL CONFERENCE, MARCH 22, 2018. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS VOTE TO SUPPORT NEW COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT COMMUNITY HEALTH SEC- task force to investigate guar- The vote announcement comes TOR WORKERS, INCLUDING anteed hours and other issues, after a tentative agreement 1000 HSA MEMBERS, HAVE and allocates additional funding was reached in mid-June, the VOTED IN FAVOUR OF A for the Enhanced Disability Man- result of weeks of negotiations agement Program. Employees between the Community Health TENTATIVE AGREEMENT covered in this agreement work Bargaining Association (CBA), REACHED WITH HEALTH in mental health and addiction and the Health Employers As- EMPLOYERS. services, community service sociation of BC (HEABC). The three-year agreement will agencies, health authorities, HSA members were represented take effect April 1, 2019 and provide services to seniors, and at the bargaining table by staff expire March 31, 2022. home care support services. negotiator Jessica Derynck and The new collective agreement “Our members deliver critical member representative Kather- brings in yearly wage increases services to some of the most ine Oliver, a child care assistant of two per cent in each of the vulnerable British Columbians,” at Thompson Nicola Family next three years in addition to said HSA President Val Avery. Resource Society. enhanced benefits, provisions “This agreement is an important for improved scheduling, and step forward for our members steps to address staff retention. and the communities they It mandates the creation of a serve.” 4
NEWS IN BRIEF PETITION FOR PAID SICK LEAVE LAUNCHED more workers are properly clas- and a 16-page self-help kit sified and protected under the was introduced. Workers were ESA, and establishing a tempo- required to complete the kit rary foreign worker registry. before being permitted to file a complaint with the Employment For employees without a union, Standards Branch, resulting in protections provided in the a dramatic reduction in com- ESA are crucial to minimizing plaints filed. exploitative labour practices and providing a minimum standard Legislative amendments in- of protections and benefits. creased the number of occu- pations excluded from certain According to a recent survey provisions of the act or from the conducted by the BC Federa- act in its entirety, and protec- tion of Labour, 40 per cent of tions and benefits surrounding respondents did not have paid statutory holidays, over- THE BC FEDERATION OF access to any paid sick leave. time, and hours of work were When required to work while LABOUR (BC FED) HAS reduced. The Level the Playing sick, a worker’s health can LAUNCHED A NEW ONLINE become compromised and con- Field campaign seeks redress PETITION CALLING ON for some of these measures. tagious diseases are more likely THE PROVINCIAL GOV- to spread in the workplace. The ERNMENT TO AMEND THE BC Fed is calling on the govern- EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ment to implement a minimum To sign the BC Fed’s petition ACT (ESA) TO INCLUDE of 5 paid sick days per year for on paid leave, visit: PAID SICK LEAVE FOR ALL all employees. www.leveltheplayingfield.ca/ EMPLOYEES IN BC. Benefits and protections in the sick_leave_petition The petition is part of a broader ESA were gutted when the BC “Level the Playing Field” labour Liberal government came into Or scan this rights campaign, which calls on power in 2001. In addition, the with your the provincial government to then-Campbell government cur- phone’s make a broad range of reforms tailed enforcement measures. camera or QR to the ESA, including eliminat- Nearly half of all employment standards branches – respon- app: ing exemptions to the minimum wage, strengthening the defini- sible for education and enforce- tion of “employee” to ensure ment of the act – were closed, REPORT HIGHLIGHTS DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN PUBLIC AND CONTRACTED-OUT LONG-TERM CARE On Aug. 1, the BC Seniors Advo- of public facilities, $16 million to en masse firing and rehiring, cate released a groundbreaking would be saved annually and an resident care may be affected. report revealing that patients at additional 15,481 hospital bed Staff retention rates may be contracted-out long-term care days would be created, accord- a factor impacting health facilities are 32 per cent more ing to the report. outcomes. “Constantly chang- likely to visit an emergency Despite equal funding on ing staff could also be prob- department, 34 per cent more average, private care facilities lematic as continuity of care likely to be hospitalized, and 54 pay lower wages than public in nursing homes is proven to per cent more likely to die in a facilities. The report claims that link with better health out- hospital bed, when compared most of these facilities receive comes including lower rates of to rates of publicly operated fa- funding to pay higher wages hospitalization,” according to a cilities. This is despite evidence than are actually paid out. In press release from the Seniors that the residents of contract- public facilities with superior Advocate. ed-out facilities are less frail and wages and benefits, staff turn- complex patients. over is low, suggests the report. If contracted facilities were In cases in the private sector able to match the performance where contract flipping leads 5
ABOUT THE PROVICE-WIDE REFERENDUM Registered voters will receive a voter package in the mail with a mail-in ballot between Oct. 22 and Nov. 2, and will have until Nov. 30 to vote. Any Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older who has resided in B.C. for at least six months prior to Nov. 30 will be eligible to vote, but may need to update contact information with Elections B.C. in order to receive a ballot. Contact Elections BC at 1-800- 661-8683 to find out if you are registered to vote. HSA MEMBER PATRICIA GARTNER WITH HER HUSBAND CHRIS LAURIE. GARTNER IS A VOLUNTEER WITH WITH FAIR VOTE SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION: A MORE DEMOCRATIC WAY TO DO POLITICS BETWEEN OCT. 22 AND NOV. 30, BRITISH COLUMBIANS WILL BE ASKED VIA MAIL-IN BALLOT IF THEY SUPPORT ADOPTING A SYSTEM OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. THREE SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED: MIXED-MEMBER PROPORTIONAL, RURAL-URBAN PROPRTIONAL, OR DUAL-MEMBER PROPORTIONAL. BY SAMANTHA PONTING post (FPTP) or proportional “They are all good systems,” HSA COMMUNICATIONS representation. says Tony Hodgson, president of Vote PR BC, the official pro-PR In a second question, voters If a party gets 40 per cent of campaign of B.C.’s upcoming will be asked which one of the votes, it should receive 40 referendum. “They all preserve three models of proportional per cent of the seats. This is the the number of MLAs in each representation they prefer central feature of a proportional region of the province. And they should a PR system be adopted: representation (PR) electoral all allow voters to vote directly Dual-Member Proportional, system. While there are different for the individual candidate.” Mixed-Member Proportional, or models of PR that achieve Rural-Urban Proportional. As mandated by a 2018 this, all variations of PR seek convention resolution, HSA to create a more direct link With each of these PR models, actively supports changing between who voters vote for all British Columbians would B.C.’s FPTP election system to a and who gets elected. still have a local MLA. The PR system, and is encouraging government has also set a five Over 90 countries in the world members to engage in per cent threshold for parties, use a form of proportional referendum campaigns meaning that in order to obtain representation, including supporting PR. a seat in the legislature, a party Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, would need to receive at least One member engaged in the Chile, Italy, and New Zealand. 80 5 per cent of the popular vote. campaign for electoral reform per cent of OECD countries use This would ensure that parties is Patricia Gartner. Following one, making Canada a bit of an with a voice at the table would an 18-year career practicing anomaly when it comes to our be there by virtue of having a family law in Nelson, B.C., voting system. fair amount of support among Gartner relocated to Peachland This fall, a province-wide voters in the province. and became an acute care referendum will ask B.C. social worker at Penticton These considerations voters which electoral system Regional Hospital. This fall, she make all three proportional the province should use for is volunteering with Fair Vote representation choices strong its elections: first-past-the- South Okanagan-Similkameen. options for B.C. voters. 6
INTERGENERATIONAL INTERVIEW THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE PROPORTIONAL harder to make policies that are more vulnerable to REPRESENTATION: disproportionately affect one boundary manipulations – also group of people.” known as gerrymandering. And it encourages strategic voting, 1. Sign an HSA pledge to vote card, “You get policies that prevent whereby a voter does not vote and encourage 5 other HSA as much income inequality that for their first-choice candidate. members in your workplace to sign. otherwise might be generated. You get polices that address the The voters “have to decide health care needs of a broad whether they are going to vote 2. Register for a PR webinar. Visit section of the population.” for somebody they like less and www.hsabc.org for information on maybe even dislike significantly webinar opportunities. He said that PR leads to greater in order to prevent the worst voter satisfaction, which in turn outcome for them,” explained 3. Help educate! Share HSA’s social results in more satisfaction with Hodgson. democracy and a higher voter media posts. Take a selfie with your turnout. In a 55-year study This can give a lot of decision- pledge card. conducted by world-renowned making authority to polls – and political scientist Arend Liphart, we all know polls can be wrong. Liphart found that voter turnout But perhaps the most glaring was higher by 7.5 per cent in flaw in the FPTP system is that countries with proportional it delivers skewed election “I’m volunteering because I think representation. results. It is commonplace for there’s a number of positive aspects of PR that I want to PR also leads to more a party to win the majority make sure the voting public diverse legislatures and a of the power with a minority knows about, so that people are greater portion of women in of voter support. In Ontario’s motivated to vote and so that government. The same study 2018 election, Progressive people are making informed concludes that there were, Conservative candidate Doug decisions,” she said. on average, eight per cent Ford received 40.5 per cent of more women represented the vote and 61 per cent of the “With the FPTP winner-take-all seats at Queen’s Park. in parliamentary bodies in approach, each election you countries with PR. When But we don’t have to look as see how it ignores half or more parties are able to put multiple far as Ontario to see such stark of the voters in that particular candidates forward in a discrepancies. In the 2001 B.C. campaign.” single riding, more balanced provincial election, the B.C. She says the current system representation is likely. Liberals won 57.6 per cent of leads to the ruling party the vote, but took 97 per cent One myth about proportional ignoring beneficial policy of the seats – all but two. The representation is that it leads proposals from other parties. Greens, with 12.4 per cent of the to an increase in the number “Proportional representation popular vote, were shut out of of elections. But according a would allow for a more the legislature completely. 53-year research study by York collaborative approach to policy University Associate Professor In more severe circumstances, setting,” Gartner said. Dennis Pilon, countries with FPTP delivers “wrong winner” “I think the NDP and the a PR system do not have elections – when the party Greens in BC have shown more frequent elections than winning the popular vote how successful a coalition countries with FPTP systems. doesn’t become the ruling party. government can be.” This happened in B.C.’s 1996 The downfalls of winner-take- election, and it happened in the According to Hodgson, research all systems 2016 U.S. election, resulting in suggests that proportional representation systems – Unlike PR, BC’s first-past-the- a “wrong winner” victory for whereby parties collaborate to post system is a winner-take-all Donald Trump. create policy – actually produce approach. For those voters Proportional representation better social outcomes. whose chosen candidate loses, can help address some of the their views aren’t likely to be problems that arise in FPTP “Canada was the top ranked represented in the legislature elections. OECD country on the UN by the local representative, Human Development index. When the facts are laid out, it’s according to Hodgson. And in the last 20 years, easy to get excited about the we’ve been overtaken by “The MLA is not really upcoming referendum and the eight OECD countries that all accountable to those voters possibility it holds for a fairer use proportional voting,” he because they’ve already way of doing politics. HSA will explained. withheld their support and it’s be working with members on had no effect. The MLA has a pledge to vote drive, among With PR, because everyone still been elected and still gets other educational initiatives. has a seat at the table, policies power,” he said. If you are interested in joining are more likely to address the concerns of a wider range of There are some other problems HSA’s referendum efforts, please society, he said. “It becomes with a FPTP system. Elections contact Sam at sponting@ hsabc.org. 7
CANCERANDWORK.CA COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE A LEADING RESOURCE FOR EMPLOYERS, HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, PATIENTS BY SAMANTHA PONTING HSA COMMUNICATIONS 20 years experience in the field, the world of return to work, she has collected a wealth of these are important disciplines “It’s probably one of the most expertise on the subject of in terms of guiding assessment, comprehensive websites of its cancer and work. At BC Cancer, rehabilitation, and treatment,” kind in oncology to help support she has been leading return to said Parkinson. cancer survivors with returning, work groups since 2012. In 2014, “It is kind of a funnel for global remaining, and finding work,” she authored a 74-page manual information as well,” she ex- said HSA member Maureen called “Cancer and Returning plained. “We engaged in writing Parkinson, the co-lead for the to Work: A Practical Guide for an amazing amount of new CancerAndWork.ca project. Cancer Patients.” material to fill in the gaps that CancerAndWork.ca, a partner- The project was put into mo- weren’t being addressed glob- ship between BC Cancer (BCC) tion when Christine Maheu, a ally.” She said that unlike many and McGill University, was des- registered nurse and associate other websites, CancerAnd- ignated a Leading Practice by professor at McGill University, Work.ca wasn’t created strictly the Health Standards Organiza- approached Parkinson to do a in-house. “We knew enough to tion this past July for being a research study on the BC Can- want to link to the best in the practice that has “demonstrated cer return to work groups. Then world and the best in Canada in a positive change, is people- a grant opportunity with the order to give the best advice.” centred, safe, and efficient.” Canadian Partnership Against The site provides a wide variety Cancer (CPAC) presented itself, It contains 450 pages of con- of tools and resources for can- “and we decided, why don’t we tent developed by the core cer survivors, healthcare profes- throw a hat in and go for it,” team and 27 expert writers in sionals, and employers. Its user- explained Parkinson. “And on partnership with the de Souza friendly design directs visitors the fly we put together a core Foundation’s information tech- to most relevant content based team.” nology team. It surveyed 150 on the type of user. For cancer stakeholders, including cancer They were awarded the grant, survivors, it provides tools and survivors, heath care providers, and “there went a fantastic but strategies for topics such as and employers across Canada hectic two years full of team- returning to work, assessment on desired content. building learning experience,” of work abilities, and promoting said Parkinson. wellbeing at work. Parkinson is the only vocational and rehabilitation counsellor They brought together profes- Parkinson said the project has working in a cancer setting in sionals from across the health been a massive collaborative ef- a hospital in Canada, and with science professions. “I think in fort, with many contributors and 8
advisors largely volunteering. “I Promoting human rights tants, “the small employers and am very proud of the fact that medium-sized employers may A major asset of the website we did a lot with very little.” not have the benefit of that is the support it provides to expertise,” explained Parkinson, She compared the site to Can- employers who have little expe- and CancerandWork.ca seeks to cerAndCareers.org, a U.S.-based rience accommodating employ- fill in the knowledge gap. website that receives $2 million ees with disabilities or long-term in annual funding. She said that illnesses. Parkinson stressed It outlines for employers their CancerAndWork.ca was cre- that a supportive, accommodat- duty to reasonably accommo- ated with a grant for $290,000, ing employer is fundamental to date those with a disability, lists which even included the cost of a cancer survivor’s successful employers’ responsibilities, and French language translation. return to work. defines key legal terms, includ- ing “disability” and “undue “A lot of people did this off the Not all employers are educated hardship.” side of the desk…It’s very much on their duty to accommodate a labour of love.” workers with disabilities, includ- “This is a way of giving a Coles ing long-term illnesses. A survey Notes in human rights and According to Parkinson, many conducted by CPAC revealed directing them to the right people in the health care field that without expertise from sources to guide them,” said understood that there was a occupational health nursing or Parkinson. gap in resources. “There was in-house expertise in accom- desperate need for information, Likewise, the website helps can- modation, employers require she said. “Everybody was just cer survivors understand their information on accommodation. so keen to help out in terms of own rights within legislation. creating this.” While larger employers may When it comes to return to have resources to hire consul- work, “some employers move mountains to make this happen and be successful, and sadly, rarely but sadly, some employ- ers put mountains in people’s HOW HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS way,” said Parkinson. CAN ASSIST CANCER SURVIVORS However, when employers are flexible, emotionally supportive, Parkinson says health care professionals – particularly in the rehabilita- and foster a trusting environ- tion professions – are very helpful in quantifying the effects of cancer ment where work challenges treatment and its impact on work abilities. This is useful for predicting can be discussed openly, a suc- readiness to return to work, understanding the supports a patient will cessful return to work is more need, and providing rehabilitation and psychological support. There likely. are some additional ways a health care professional can support a patient with cancer, according to Parkinson. THANK YOU TO ALL HSA • Check-in with cancer patients to see if they have any work MEMBERS WHO MADE THIS concerns in early assessment. RESOURCE A REALITY: • Translate assessments for patients. How does a symptom impact MAUREEN PARKINSON, the patient’s ability to do work? TAMMY LEE, DR. DOUGLAS • Encourage patients to communicate regarding function. Patients OZIER, MELANIE MCDONALD, should be encouraged to reference abilities, not just symptoms, DR. AMANDA K. LAMARRE, when applying for government and insurance supports and AND AMY RAPPAPORT. communicating with employers. • Make no assumptions about how treatment impacts an individual. • Ask patients what they need, what challenges they are facing, and how they would like support. • Direct patients to helpful resources. • Encourage cancer survivors to stay in contact with their workplace while on leave from work. 9
CONVENTION 2018 SOLIDARITY ACROSS BORDERS HSA members share stories from the Summer Institute for Union Women This past July, HSA provided scholarships to three HSA members to attend the 37th annual Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women (SIUW), a five-day conference held at Sonoma State University in California, sponsored by the AFL-CIO. The institute brings together 150 activists from unions, worker centres, and community organizations to develop leader- ship and community organizing skills, share knowledge, and build bonds of solidarity. This year’s theme was “The RESISTERhood—Working Womxn Organizing for Collective Power.” HSA scholarship winners Brooke Carter, a medical laboratory technologist from Royal Jubilee Hospital, and Carol Guerra, an advocate at Kettle Friend- ship Society, share their own reflections on the conference. HSA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS BROOKE CARTER, CAROL GUERRA, AND GLADYS OSAWAMICK 10 SOLIDARITY ACTION IN SUPPORT OF HYATT REGENCY HOTEL HOUSEKEEPERS IN SANTA ROSA, CA.
SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR UNION WOMEN For me, the whole experience was memorable from beginning to end. I met two wonderful sisters from HSA whom I had the pleasure of sharing the whole experience with. The energy at the conference was inspiring. So many women who shared the same values and visions made it an abso- lute bonding experience. The highlight for me was the action that took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It was a very emotional day for me. We were all there fighting for our sisters. At one point, four housekeeping employees came out during their break to thank us and it almost brought me to tears. They were so thankful for our support. It was a hot day and we did a lot of chanting with placards. It clearly demon- strated how the power of the people united can make a change. We wouldn’t be there if we weren’t for HSA. HSA allowed us to be there to support our sisters in their struggles. That, in itself, just goes to show how important collective action is. There was one point where the assistant manager was given a petition and he said, “No, I can’t take it.” We started chanting stronger and louder, and he came back and said, “Ok, I will take that.” That was probably the highlight of my whole stay there –being able to be a part of that. And if it wasn’t for HSA, I would have never experienced such an important action. It was remarkable. - CAROL GUERRA, ADVOCATE AT KETTLE FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY This July, I had the privilege of being granted a scholarship by HSA to attend SIUW in Sonoma, California. This five-day conference included working women participants from many professions, travelling from British Columbia, Washing- ton, Oregon, and even as far as Japan. Many participants were leaders in their organizations, or aspiring to be, and many more were looking to strengthen contacts and gain skills. Some were still simply seeking recognition in belong- ing to a profession. The days were long and productive. I was in classes or group activities every day from 8:30am to 9:30pm. These in- cluded core courses, workshops, plenaries, and affinity group meetings. My core course was called “Building Inclusive Organizations,” in which we spent a lot of time unpacking concepts of privilege and intersectionality. The end goal was to recognize areas of improvement in our own interactions, and to cultivate a sense of belonging in our organizations to ensure that everyone always has a voice. My workshop itinerary included “Bargaining for the Collective Good” and “Researching Your Organization,” which each provided useful tools for navigating the balancing of interests between employer and organized workforce, in a way that common goals can be realized. Affinity Groups provided safe spaces for intersectional conversations, and mentoring circles provided support to aspir- ing leaders from those who have paved the way. The Institute was held in what is known as “language Justice,” meaning that participants were free to express them- selves fully in either English or Spanish, and translation equipment was available. This was truly an enjoyable experi- ence. An impactful activity was when, during an afternoon, we all traveled in several busloads to join a job action in support of local hotel staff who had been organizing underground for a year. They faced safety issues and were undercompen- sated and overworked, and they were demanding a contract. After spending most of the week exploring some of the unearned privilege that I sometimes take for granted, I was able to leverage it in a meaningful way as part of a throng of powerful, diverse folk demanding fair treatment for de- serving staff. Our action attracted the attention of journalists and city councillors. Overall, it was a pleasure to spend time with so many fantastic women – including aircraft mechanics, longshore work- ers, boilermakers, teachers, health care workers, sex workers, domestic workers, and managers – to learn their stories, share mine, and experience a level of hopefulness for the future that feels a bit rare sometimes. I left realizing that the only thing I care about now is the type of community that we can create for each other and those entering the work- ing world very soon. With everything that is happening on both sides of our border at the policy level and at the grassroots, we’re expe- riencing different situations that either challenge us or bless us. In the face of new boycotts, trade tariffs, and other power shifts, there is always a labour perspective to apply: solidarity across borders is always the answer. - BROOKE CARTER, MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST AT ROYAL JUBILEE HOSPITAL 11 PHOTOS: BROOKE CARTER AND CAROL GUERRA
Remembering a worker’s hero PHOTOS: RON POGUE PHOTOGRAPHY THIS JULY MARKED THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF GINGER GOODWIN’S MURDER. A REENACTMENT OF HIS FUNERAL TOOK PLACE IN CUMBERLAND, AND HSA WAS THERE. On July 27, 1918, in the mountains near Cumberland, B.C., a gunshot rang out. Its echoes continue to be heard. On that July day, Special Constable Dan Campbell – a disgraced former member of the B.C. Provincial Police – led a search party into the mountains near Cumberland, B.C. to track down labour organizer, socialist, and conscientious ob- jector, Albert “Ginger” Goodwin. Born in England in 1887, Albert Goodwin—later nicknamed “Ginger” because of his red hair—first started working in the mines at the age of 12. By the age of 15 he had participated in his first picket line, and by 1906, he had moved to Cape Breton, N.S., where he continued to mine coal. In 1909, a particularly brutal strike involving the United Mine Workers of America solidified his commitment to labour activism and socialist perspectives after witnessing first-hand the brutal treatment of fellow workers and their fami- lies. Goodwin and many others ended up moving west to find work, with Goodwin eventually settling in Cumberland in 1910 to take a job in the Number 5 mine. The Cumberland coal mines were particularly dreadful, with over 170 fatalities already on record by that point. Number 5 mine was the gassiest of them all. When the big strike of 1912-14 broke out in the mines up and down Vancouver Island, Ginger Goodwin was already a member of the Socialist Party of Canada (SPC) and the United Mineworkers of America, but he became more formally involved at that time, mentored by Joseph Naylor who worked at Number 7 mine. After the strike ended in 1914, Goodwin, along with many others were left unemployed and blacklisted by company owners. Goodwin moved to Trail, where he took a job at the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company and continued organizing with a renewed passion against the backdrop of WWI and the role of the smelter in war time production. When the highly unpopular 1917 Military Service Act, which led to conscription, was introduced, Goodwin showed up for his medical examination but was classified as temporarily unfit for service due to his ill health. However, when Goodwin successfully led the first-ever strike at the smelter approximately a month after this classification, he received a notice for re-examination only 11 days later and was deemed “fit” for service. Goodwin was targeted because of his politics and strength as an organizer. He took refuge in the mountains and men like Dan Campbell saw it as their personal mission to track him and other conscientious objectors down. On the day of Goodwin’s funeral, August 2, workers in Cumberland and Vancouver downed their tools and did not go to work. In Cumberland, the biggest funeral procession ever witnessed in the community accompanied Goodwin to his final resting place, while in Vancouver, workers came together in what is considered Canada’s first general strike. This piece was written by the Cumberland Museum & Archives. It has been edited for length. www.minersmemorial.ca | www.cumberlandmuseum.ca 12
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Michelle Apps, social worker, Vancouver Community Mental Health Services HOW MY OH&S COMMITTEE IS ADDRESSING VIOLENCE RISKS FACING FRONTLINE WORKERS BY MICHELLE APPS HSA MEMBER maintaining positive connec- ICMT work spaces, examines tions to health care through historical data in regards to I AM A SOCIAL WORKER providing primary care, mental violence, gives a comparison to ON THE WOMEN’S INTEN- health care, and support with a similar program, provides a finding and maintaining housing. policy review, and includes the SIVE CASE MANAGEMENT As ICMT staff often work alone feedback from an ICMT staff TEAM (ICMT), AND I HAVE in the community, we can be ex- survey. BEEN SITTING ON THE posed to high levels of different VANCOUVER COMMUNITY Some of the actions that came types of violence almost daily, MENTAL (VCH) HEALTH from the violence risk assess- including verbal aggression. ment include ensuring that staff SERVICES’ JOINT OCCU- Last fall, a Violence Risk As- have taken the violence preven- PATIONAL HEALTH AND sessment Tool was sent out to tion program, and organizing SAFETY (JOHS) COMMIT- Intensive Case Management violence prevention course TEE SINCE I STARTED WITH Team employees to survey and refreshers on an annual basis. VCH IN FEBRUARY 2017. assess the levels of violence that This report is useful in that it We meet monthly and have we experience in our work- gives ICMT staff and leadership representatives present from place. From that feedback and clear examples and direction different unions and disciplines. expertise, along with input from in regards to preventing and the Violence Assessment team The ICMTs are multidisciplinary mitigating risk of violence in our members from the Intensive outreach-based teams working workplaces, making our work Case Management teams, a with people living in Vancou- safer for us and for our clients. I report entitled “Violence Risk ver’s Downtown Eastside with would recommend that all joint Assessment Final Report” was mental health and substance occupational health and safety drafted in conjunction with use disorders. As staff, we go committees undertake a vio- VCH’s Workplace Health depart- out into the community to meet lence risk assessment with their ment. Workplace Health sup- with our clients in their homes, teams to incorporate important ports VCH staff in preventing on the street, or in shelters. feedback from all frontline staff. workplace illness and injuries. We work with our clients to This thorough report includes support them in making and an environment assessment of 13
MUSIC THERAPY THE BURNABY CENTRE FOR MENTAL “IT’S OFTEN THE BUY-IN TO STAY IN RECOVERY” MUSIC THERAPY AS A TOOL FOR REHABILITATION BY SAMANTHA PONTING music therapist at the Burnaby HSA COMMUNICATIONS Centre for Mental Health and Addictions, and teaches part- time at Capilano University in MOST PEOPLE ASSUME the music therapy program. MUSIC THERAPY IS EITHER Kirkland describes music A SING-ALONG OR RELAX- therapy as the use of “music- ATION, ACCORDING TO centred experiences as agents HSA MEMBER AND MUSIC for change. It’s based on musical THERAPIST KEVIN KIRK- experiences and the therapeutic LAND. relationship.” “That is part of what you do, but In the field of mental health just a small part.” and addictions, music therapy is used as a tool for self- When Kirkland first graduated expression and processing life with a bachelor’s degree in experiences. It is often coupled music, he was among those who with counselling, which is in didn’t know much about music the scope of practice for music therapy. “I hadn’t heard of music therapists. therapy but I had seen books in the library on it,” said Kirkland. Music therapy is “a blend of insight and capabilities,” accord- Upon graduation, he launched ing to Kirkland. “And it’s a fun into a career teaching piano and way into opening up and talking music theory, but hated it. After HSA MEMBER KEVIN KIRKLAND about issues.” The approaches working a job in the admitting used are often based on a cli- department of a hospital, he felt ent’s interests. inspired to combine his love of training, and it’s often the buy-in music with health care. For some, this may involve to stay in recovery because they playing music and engaging in like music and they come to the He learned of a music therapy a recording process. “A lot of cli- music studio. We have record- program at Capilano University ents are able to play music even ing software and guitars and in North Vancouver and decided though they have had no formal drums and instruments.” And to audition. He now works as a 14
MUSIC THERAPY L HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS (BCMHA) MUSIC STUDIO. THE BCMHA BAND. when clients enter the studio facing their communities. He been used in geriatrics, pal- and engage with the recording spoke of one client in recovery liative care, and in children’s software, they may walk away who used rap to write about health. But Capilano University with a new skill. drinking, overdose deaths, and is increasingly applying mu- suicide on his nation’s reser- sic therapy to adult and teen In the program Rap and Re- vation. The lyrics served as a mental health, including the covery, Kirkland uses rap as a springboard into a group dis- treatment of drug addiction and therapeutic tool. “Clients write cussion surrounding the legacy early psychosis. personally meaningful lyrics of residential schools and the about their lives, or mental For employers participating in impacts of intergenerational Capilano University’s music ther- apy internship program, a music therapist is sometimes brought “Music therapy is used as a tool for self- in to supervise a student, since expression and processing life experiences.” one may not exist at the facility. For mental health facilities that accept student interns in music health, or the recovery process, colonial violence. therapy for the first time, reac- and record it to a beat, and tions are very positive. “Six months in and he did not turn it into an .mp3. They have “They would go, ‘oh my God, we have a relapse,” said Kirkland. a product that they can listen have to have a music therapist. For him, this speaks to the suc- back to.” The client may some- This works really well. How do cesses of the Rap and Recovery times engage in a discussion we do this? How do we create a program. with the music therapist about job?’” said Kirkland. their lyrics. Expanding opportunities for As an HSA member, Kirkland is Kirkland said music therapy music therapy particularly interested in creat- has made a major contribution Kirkland said he would like to ing unionized job positions for to some peoples’ lives. “I think see an increased awareness by music therapists in BC. “How the most successes are with health facilities and decision- do we create positions that are those who are probably on the makers about what music unionized and not just always cusp of not succeeding, but therapy is and how it can work contracted? We’ve had discus- they like music so much that in particular health settings. sions with facilities who are they stay engaged with it, and “There are areas of practice that looking to hire and what kind that becomes the focus of their are newer and emerging,” said of parameters are best for that, sobriety.” Kirkland. and how to create an HSA posi- “Whether they have a relapse ton for it.” “Riverview Hospital had several or not, they come back to music music therapists. It’s established and they are able to stay with in mental health there but not it,” he said. so much in general in Vancouver Kirkland has had clients who use or in BC.” rap to write about social issues Traditionally, music therapy has 15
MEMBER PROFILE STRENGTHENING HEALTH SERVICES FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AN INTERVIEW WITH CHARLENE HELLSON Aboriginal Wellness Program Coordinator, Vancouver Coastal Health CHARLENE HELLSON BEGAN HER WORK about VCH’s newly launched and trans people in the DTES. WITH VANCOUVER mobile health van in the Down- Why is this initiative impor- COASTAL HEALTH’S (VCH) town Eastside (DTES), and why tant? ABORIGINAL HEALTH it’s important for Indigenous Indigenous women – we are one DEPARTMENT IN OCTOBER, peoples to have culturally safe of the most vulnerable popula- 2017. AS COORDINATOR care that can meet them where tions in Canada. We experi- OF THE ABORIGINAL they’re at. ence racism and sexism and we WELLNESS PROGRAM, experience domestic violence SHE IS INTEGRAL TO THE What do you enjoy most about and murder at a higher rate than WORK OF HER TEAM. your work? the rest of the Canadian popula- I enjoy the small team I work tion. This is a result of past and She coordinates and chairs with. We have a critical analy- ongoing colonization. And so team meetings, provides sup- sis of colonization and how it we see an overrepresentation of port to therapists, and repre- impacts Indigenous people. We Indigenous women in the DTES, sents her team at the regional all have a commitment together who comprise 30 per cent of its mental health substance use to decolonize in our healing population. directors’ meetings and op- practices. erational managers’ meetings. Like many of us, Indigenous She supports clients through I enjoy supporting the groups. I women in the DTES have ex- guiding them through intake don’t facilitate them but I help perienced sexual violence and procedures and taking intake with food preparation. And we have chronic health care issues. requests. had a burning ceremony in the Personal histories of trauma spring for the grief and loss have created vulnerability that Hellson has a wealth of experi- group. puts them at great risk. It is ence in health and community critical that they have culturally social services. She has worked The burning ceremony is a safe care that can meet them in Indigenous mental health for ceremony where you feed the where they’re at. Many Indig- over 15 years, previously at Al- spirits of the loved ones who’ve enous women are not going berta Health Services and then moved on to the spirit world. to walk into a hospital willingly at Vancouver’s Women Against It’s a very healing ceremony, unless they absolutely have Violence Against Women and it was beautiful to witness to. They don’t want to experi- (WAVAW) Rape Crisis Centre. the west coast ceremony. It was ence stigma, they don’t want to Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, conducted by the Musqueam, experience racism. Indigenous Hellson is Blackfoot. but many Coast Salish peoples Women in the DTES are strug- do this ceremony. It was an She spoke to HSA about VCH’s gling with their lives and they amazing ceremony to support new Cultural Safety Training don’t need to add another layer and to witness. and how health services can of humiliation. transform to more effectively VCH now operates a mobile It’s important to note that meet the needs of Indigenous health van to provide on-the- women in the DTES have each peoples. She also spoke to us spot health services to women 16
INDIGENOUS HEALTH SERVICES other. There’s such a strong community, and they become family to each other. And they can encourage each other to connect with the mobile health van. I know that the word is go- ing to spread very quickly. In the Indigenous community we call it the moccasin telegram. We know that if your health is good, then you feel better about yourself. That has major impacts and has a ripple effect through- out your whole life and for your VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH’S NEW MOBILE HEALTH VAN, loved ones as well. SERVICING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE. Can you speak to the health disparity between Indigenous How can health professionals providers need to understand and non-Indigenous people? be more effective in delivering that, meet it with compassion, Why is it important that health health services to Indigenous and be reflective of what they services take a decolonial lens patients? are bringing to that interaction. to their work? There’s a historical mistrust As Indigenous people, we see Of course we see health dispari- of health care services on the doctors, physicians, social work- ties. It is a really wide gap in all Indigenous experience of health ers, psychiatrists, and nurses areas of health. We are a small care. It has been unfortunate – as healers. Our concept of a percentage of the community very scary and harmful. I think healer is someone who is kind and yet we are overrepresented that what health care provid- and compassionate. And when with chronic health issues, acute ers need to understand is that we don’t experience that, we health issues, and especially there is a historical context. withdraw and we avoid health mental health issues. And it all Each Indigenous individual who care until it’s too late. We end originates from the impacts of enters into health care carries up in the hospital anyway with colonization and the historical historical trauma and it’s going chronic or terminal health is- trauma that ensued from that, to manifest in that health care sues. which we all carry today. interaction. Do you have any further advice And so I think that health care for fellow HSA members? I would encourage staff who would like to learn more to con- nect with the cultural coordi- nator and take in the cultural safety training. It is powerful and it will help transform practice. We do have a cultural safety policy (for VCH) that will be signed off by Patty Daly (chief medical health officer and the vice president, public health for VCH), so it is going to be policy to deliver culturally safe services. Aboriginal Health pro- vides Indigenous Cultural Safety training for VCH staff, which is headed by Jennifer-Lee Koble and was created by Riel Dupuis- Rossi, one of our therapists at the Aboriginal Wellness Pro- gram. A pilot has been launched at VGH to train health care pro- viders. We’re training frontline staff, and we are hoping to really impact services, transform care, and create culturally safe care for Indigenous people across HSA MEMBER CHARLENE HELLSON the health continuum. 17
COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT PUBLIC POLICY AND THE UNION ADVANTAGE NEW COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT SUPPORTS WORKERS’ RIGHTS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES BY SAMANTHA PONTING and training of these groups. Pattullo Bridge replacement HSA COMMUNICATIONS project and the four lane expan- Over the past 20 years, CBAs sion of the Trans-Canada High- have emerged across North THE PROVINCIAL GOVERN- way between Kamloops and America. They are agreements MENT HAS ANNOUNCED Alberta. The province is starting between government and with two projects and looking THAT SELECT MAJOR contractors that seek to maxi- to expand the model to other PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE mize the social and economic public infrastructure projects, PROJECTS WILL PROCEED benefits of a project. They can such as hospitals. UNDER A NEWLY ESTAB- generate greater fairness in hir- LISHED COMMUNITY BEN- ing, increase economic opportu- Newly-created crown corpora- nities for workers, and strength- tion BC Infrastructure Benefits EFITS AGREEMENT (CBA). en local economies through Inc. (BCIB) will be responsible The CBA will create increased ensuring that local communities for hiring the projects’ con- opportunities for Indigenous receive direct benefits from a struction workers, who will be peoples, women, apprentices, public infrastructure project. unionized with the correspond- and local workers through pro- ing trade union in that jurisdic- The BC government’s new CBA visions that prioritize the hiring tion. With the BCIB serving as a will apply to Metro Vancouver’s 18
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS PHOTOS: CURTEOUSY OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS COALITION OF BC unionized employer, the workers Until that cultural shift happens, equity contracted for a project are en- sured good wages and benefits. measures are crucial to increasing Any contractor, union or non- retention rates for women in the trades. union, may bid on the work and supervise the project. The province will manage the proj- ect’s payroll and supply workers. a major part in denying women and may help them establish a This model marks a major step employment opportunities. And career in the trades. forward for the province’s con- when women do find work, they In her role as coordinator for the struction workers. are often the first to be laid off, BC Centre for Women and the she said. “Its viewed that she The BCIB will prioritize hiring Trades, Brynjolfson is working may miss more time or won’t be qualified Indigenous workers, with industry partners to create as dedicated because her family women in the trades, and lo- a cultural change in the con- may come first, or if she has a cal workers – defined as those struction industry, whereby di- sick child then she has to go within a 100 km radius, in most versity and inclusion are valued. tend to them and leave work.” circumstances. The CBA will Until that cultural shift happens, also maximize apprenticeship Brynjolfson knows first-hand equity measures are crucial to opportunities, as part of a strat- how difficult it is for women increasing retention rates for egy for addressing the prov- to succeed in the trades. She women in the trades. ince’s skilled trades shortage. worked in the trades for 20 She said the CBA will benefit years, specializing as an electri- For women who wish to pursue local workers, too. “Apprentices cian in commercial, high-volt- careers in the trades, the CBA and women who are getting age, and industrial work. will help put them on a path into their trade now have the to success. Currently, only four “There’s stereotypes that are opportunity to work in their percent of tradespeople in BC put on women’s backs that communities and be trained in are women. don’t allow them to just learn their communities rather than their craft, be an apprentice, have to travel for work. So it’s According to the BC Centre for and become a journey at their beneficial that way.” Women and the Trades Co- craft,” she said. “If you’re always ordinator Sandra Brynjolfson, Because jobs will be created at laid off, it’s hard to finish your women can face difficulty find- the local level, local economies apprenticeships, hard to get the ing and keeping jobs. “Believe will also benefit. hours, hard to get the roof over it or not, some companies just the head and the food on the out-and-out don’t hire women.” table.” Brynjolfson, who is also the Brynjolfson said CBA’s priority co-chair of Build Together, the hiring and training measures women’s caucus of BC Building will keep women on the job site Trades, said discrimination plays 19
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