ONA Confident of Win at Health Sciences North

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2017

SUDBURY – Health-care professionals who work for Health Sciences North (HSN) have voted to join the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), the province’s largest union of health-care professionals. After three days of voting, results were 370 votes for ONA and 358 for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

“More than 85 per cent of the HSN membership were engaged in the democratic voting process to choose their union,” said ONA Provincial President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. “We’re honoured that the majority of ballots counted were in support of ONA.”

Only a small number of votes, 14 in total, remain in dispute.

“We’re confident this dispute will not affect the outcome of the vote and ONA proudly welcomes these new health-care professionals to our strong health-care union,” said Haslam-Stroud.
ONA already represents 1,300 registered nurses (RNs) at HSN, and, then last year, several groups of health-care professionals – about 190 workers in total – also voted to join ONA.

“Last year some of us signed union cards and voted to join ONA because we wanted to have a professional voice at the table and be respected by our employer,” said physiotherapist Michelle Beaudry, president of ONA’s health professionals’ Bargaining Unit at HSN. “As a united group, we can better advocate for high-quality patient care.”

Given the numbers participating in this vote, Haslam-Stroud says it was a “David and Goliath” fight for the privilege of representing these caring and committed new members. "ONA is the union that health-care professionals want to belong to and we want them to join us,” she said.

ONA is the union that proudly represents 64,000 health-care professionals, as well as almost 16,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.

Keeping Health Care Professionals Safe on the Job

https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2017/05/keeping-health-care-professionals-safe-on-the-job.html

May 15, 2017

Ontario Moving Forward with Recommendations to Prevent Workplace Violence

Ontario is continuing to enhance safety for health care professionals at work by implementing recommendations from the Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Report, released today.
Due to the nature of their work, health care workers, including nurses and doctors, face a number of workplace hazards such as exposure to infectious diseases, ergonomic hazards, slips, trips and falls, as well as violence.
Ontario's Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Leadership Table endorsed 23 recommendations and outlined further practical steps needed to make hospitals safer, reduce incidents of workplace violence in hospitals and across the health sector and change attitudes around safety for health care workers.
Ontario is making progress on a number of these recommendations, including:

• Developing resources and supports to help hospitals create a psychologically safe and healthy workplace based on the Canadian Standards Association
• Creating a campaign aimed at increasing awareness and preventing workplace violence amongst health care professionals, including nurses
• Increasing supports for patients with known aggressive or violent behaviours
• Creating reliable reporting systems for workplace violence incidents
• Posting information about all government fines against employers in health care under $50,000

The Leadership Table will continue to work on recommendations to help prevent violence against all hospital workers and the broader health care sector.
Protecting the health and safety of health care professionals is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUICK FACTS Ontario’s Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Leadership Table brought together key stakeholders and experts, including patient advocates, to help develop the recommendations in this report focused on preventing violence against nurses. Since 2003, Ontario’s annual rate of workplace injuries has dropped by more than 50 per cent, making the province’s workplaces the safest in Canada and among the safest in the world. The health care sector represents 11.7 per cent of Ontario’s labour market and is the largest sector impacted by violence in the workplace. Violence claims make up 11 per cent of the lost-time injuries in hospitals.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Ontario’s Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Report Ontario’s Integrated Health and Safety Strategy Ministry of Labour’s 2016-2017 Health Care Sector Plan

QUOTES "Violence in our workplaces will not be tolerated. Progress on workplace violence in health care cannot wait — it is an urgent and serious issue. Together, our government and all its partners in the health care sector and the occupational health and safety system need to ensure workers have a safe and healthy workplace, and ensure they will return home to their loved ones safe and sound after a hard day’s work. By putting forward these recommendations, Ontario is moving towards delivering real, positive change for our health care workers." — Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour "Workplace violence is never acceptable. Our government is committed to continuing to work with our health sector partners to prevent workplace violence and ensure that patients and health care providers have the supports they need." — Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care "Violence cannot be tolerated in our workplaces. The workplace violence progress report is a step in the right direction to prevent violence in health care. I look forward to the continued development of practical solutions to ensure health care workers and our patients are safe." — Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN, President, Ontario Nurses' Association "Ontario hospitals strive to create and maintain a safe work environment for all employees, enabling high quality care to patients and clients. I am proud of the ongoing commitment shown by our member hospitals and partners in preventing workplace violence. No one should be subject to violence in the workplace." — Anthony Dale, President & CEO, Ontario Hospital Association

CONTACTS Janet Deline Communications Branch 416-326-7405 For media inquiries only: MOLMedialine@ontario.ca Michael Speers Minister’s Office 416-325-6955 Ministry of Labour http://www.ontario.ca/labour

Violence Prevention Progress Report a Step in the Right Direction to Protect Ontario Health-Care Workers

TORONTO – A progress report released by the Ontario government Leadership Table on workplace violence prevention in health care has produced 23 recommendations that are a first step to keeping Ontario health-care workers safe, says Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN.

Recommendations include:
• Ensure workplace violence policies are included in hospital quality improvement plans.
• Increase workplace supports for patients with known aggressive or violent behaviours.
• Ensure patients, families and staff provide input on triggers, behaviours and interventions.
• Create reporting systems for workplace violence incidents.

“Our members have the right to work in an environment that is free from all forms and sources of violence and harassment, and employers must strive to eliminate the risks. Violence should not be part of our jobs. I look forward to the continued development of practical solutions to ensure Ontario health-care workers and patients are safe,” said Haslam-Stroud, one of four members of the Executive Committee that provided strategic direction for the leadership group.

A joint initiative spearheaded by the Labour and Health and Long-Term Care ministers, the progress report is the result of the work done by the Leadership Table and its working groups since August 2015. The leadership group’s progress report, which focused on hospitals in its first phase, noted that “nurses play an integral role in providing care to patients in our hospitals, and because of their level of interaction with patients, they are the primary victims of workplace violence. That is unacceptable. Every worker in Ontario should expect a safe and healthy workplace.”

ONA will be working with the government this year to facilitate implementation of the 23 recommendations contained in the progress report, and will also advocate for the following eight key issues:
1. Include workplace violence indicators in hospital quality improvement plans.
2. Ensure all health-care workers have personal panic alarms.
3. Implement a root cause investigation tool.
4. Address staffing shortages that impact worker safety.
5. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments in health-care workplaces.
6. Provide risk identification/flagging/alert systems.
7. Strengthen the provincial enforcement initiative.
8. Change the critical injury regulation to include "an event of workplace violence."

“We have made progress but we have more work to do. We will continue to advocate to make our workplaces and our members safe,” said Haslam-Stroud.

ONA is the union representing 64,000 front-line registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as more than 16,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in Ontario hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, industry and clinics.

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

ONA is proud to recognize and support the diversity of our members and staff, and to join in the fight against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Click this link to learn more

We need your help!

Urge Premier Wynne & Health Minister Hoskins to heed the evidence and stop the replacement of RNs

http://rnao.ca/policy/action-alerts/stop-rn-replacement

RNAO announces 70 years of RN effectiveness

Published on May 8, 2017

Evidence highlights danger of cutting RNs in Ontario

Despite decades of evidence that registered nurses (RN) keep patients safer and make the health system stronger, Ontario continues to put patients at risk by replacing RNs with less qualified care providers.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) reviewed 70 years of health-care research to create the comprehensive 70 years of RN effectiveness database, which is now available to the public. Of the 626 research studies identified by RNAO's scoping review, more than 95 per cent show RNs have a positive impact on a wide variety of health outcomes, including reduced mortality, increased quality of care, increased patient satisfaction, and cost savings. Yet Ontario has the lowest RN-to-population rate in Canada and RN replacement is commonplace.

In a collaborative project between the RNAO IABPG research team and RNAO's policy department, a scoping review was conducted in order to create a comprehensive electronic database of registered nurse (RN) effectiveness.

The database includes studies exploring the effectiveness of RNs on clinical/patient outcomes, organizational/nurse outcomes, and financial outcomes over the past 70 years. We have made the database freely available as a PDF reference list, as well as an EndNote file.

This database can be used for evidence-informed decision making by policy-makers, researchers, and health care administrators.

Click this link to see more from RNAO on RN effectiveness 

Call for Nominations: Hospital Central Negotiating Team

 The central hospital collective agreement will expire March 31, 2018.  As a result, it is time to initiate the process of electing a new Hospital Central Negotiating Team and to make the call for nominations from members in hospital bargaining units.


Want to put your name forward? Click here!

Don't delay - deadline for submission is 1600h, June 12, 201!!

Local 8 Nurses Night Dinner - Snapd Windsor Photos

Click the link to see photos from our dinner - Happy Nurses Week to all nurses everywhere!
https://www.facebook.com/pg/snapdWindsor/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1318454378202932

Have-A-Say is open!

Windsor Chrysler nurses make small 'gains' in new deal

Nurses bargained for increased wages and job stability

CBC News 

 Posted: May 05, 2017 12:02 PM ET  

Last Updated: May 05, 2017 12:02 PM ET

The nurses who work at the Fiat Chrysler assembly plant in Windsor have "overwhelmingly" ratified a new contract, according to their union.

Ontario Nurses Association Vice-President Vicki McKenna said the nurses managed to make small "gains" through negotiation.

"They were able to achieve certainly more stability for those nurses who aren't considered full-time or permanent, even though they seem to be, and also some substantive salary increases in that classification because they've been frozen at a salary rate upon hire," she said.

McKenna says there were also some improvements to benefits, but newly-hired nurses at the factory will be part of a less-lucrative pension plan.

Vicki McKenna, vice-president of the Ontario Nursing Association. (CBC)

The registered nurse said the healthcare providers at the plant have an important job caring for the "small town" of 6,500 people who work there.

"They provide day to day health care services, they're on the floor, they have emergency services, they've even delivered a baby there," she said.

The agreement runs through 2020.

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-chrysler-nurses-make-small-gains-in-new-deal-1.4101203

Union Leader Recognized!

Innovation Notebook

Hamilton Spectator

By Joanna Frketich
May 01, 2017 

Union leader recognized

Hamilton nurse and provincial union leader Linda Haslam-Stroud is being given a lifetime achievement award by her peers for her advocacy.

Haslam-Stroud is the longest-serving president of the Ontario Nurses' Association at 14 years and counting.

What started as a quest to get her wedding day off has since become 38 years of leadership in the union representing 64,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals as well as 16,000 students.

The St. Joseph's Healthcare renal-transplant nurse is being recognized by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario which advocates for the profession.

The professional association particularly praised the campaign Haslam-Stroud spearheaded in October 2015 called "The Truth Hurts" to stop the elimination of registered nurse positions in hospitals. In addition, she's spoken out against workplace violence, fought for pay equity and addressed privacy concerns for vulnerable groups.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Linda Haslam-Stroud

This award is bestowed on long-standing members of the RNAO who exemplify outstanding contributions to the profession of nursing in the areas of practice, education, administration or research, at the provincial, national and/or international levels. This includes activities that promote the association among nursing colleagues, the government and other health-care partners.

Linda Haslam-Stroud says she never imagined she would be the nursing advocate she is today. Provincial president of the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) for the last 14 years (a total of 38 years as an ONA leader), and an RNAO member since 2002, Linda has made great strides to act as a champion for the profession and for patients. In October 2015, she spearheaded a campaign entitled The Truth Hurts. Nurses know. to stop the elimination of RN positions in hospitals. Every year, she also organizes a human rights and equity caucus for nurses to come together to discuss privacy concerns for vulnerable groups such as nurses with mental health issues. She also continues to advocate for issues such as workplace violence and pay equity for nurses. She has worked with RNAO on several important issues, including nursing shortages across the province, and ensuring full-time employment for nurses. “We’re two (RNAO and ONA) very strong organizations with different mandates, but we have a lot in common to improve the work life of nurses and ensure RNs and NPs are appropriately respected and utilized in the health-care system,” she says.

Nursing Week 2017: We are Ontario’s Nurses. Nurses Know

TORONTO – Ontario’s nurses will celebrate their profession during Nursing Week 2017.

Nursing Week will be held May 8 to 14, and the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) has chosen the theme: “We are Ontario’s Nurses. Nurses Know” as they mark the birthday of the world’s most famous nurse, Florence Nightingale and pause to celebrate the skills, education, critical thinking and knowledge they bring to patient care.

“ONA’s 64,000 registered nurses, nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses and more than 16,000 nursing student affiliates are passionate about their profession,” said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. “We know that what we do is vital to our patients receiving the quality care they rely on. Nurses have the education, skills, and dedication our patients deserve.”

ONA members across the province will be holding events to mark Nursing Week. Some will be airing advertisements in movie theatres, in local newspapers and radio; others will hold education sessions, information sessions and will celebrate their colleagues at special events. ONA is also launching a new social media campaign today, “Celebrating the Profession,” and urging others to thank a nurse (Nursesknow.ona.org).

Members of ONA’s board of directors, including Haslam-Stroud and First Vice-President Vicki McKenna, will be crossing the province to attend as many member events as possible, conducting site visits and celebrating the vital profession of nursing.

“Ontario nurses face a number of serious challenges in delivering quality patient care,” notes Haslam-Stroud. “RN cuts have left our members challenged by heavy workloads, facing increasing workplace violence, and the profession has been omitted from post-traumatic stress disorder legislation. Yet this week, we will focus instead on the skills, education and compassion that nurses bring to the front lines of patient care.”

Members of the media should watch for media advisories in their communities as ONA representatives visit members.

ONA is the union representing 64,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as almost 16,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.

Celebrate Nursing Week!

Tentative deal reached between FCA and nurses at Windsor Assembly Plant

http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/tentative-deal-reached-between-fca-and-nurses-at-windsor-assembly-plant

DALSON CHEN, WINDSOR STAR

Published on: May 1, 2017 | Last Updated: May 1, 2017 4:32 PM EDT

A tentative agreement has been reached concerning the 16 nurses who work at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

The Ontario Nurses Association and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reached the deal on April 28 after long hours of negotiation.

A ratification vote will be held on Thursday.

Unifor Local 444 — representing 6,500 workers at the plant — saying it would respect ONA’s picket line.

The plant’s nurses, represented by ONA Local 8, have been without a contract since Dec. 31.

According to ONA, the nurses fill a critical role at the plant, dealing with employee health as well as medical emergencies.

Three of the 16 nurses are full-time, hired between 1987 and 1992.

The nurses earn $30 per hour. Only the full-time ones receive benefits.

Vicki McKenna, first vice-president of ONA, said a wage increase was one of the points of discussion in the negotiations, as was securing full-time status for more members.

“There are only three that are full-time. The others are all classed as part-time … However, they work full-time hours,” McKenna said. “That was an issue for them.”

dchen@postmedia.com