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August 2010 

Canadian Blood Services & Diagnostics

CBS and Diagnostics is one of the newest divisions at OPSEU, having been formed in 2007 as a result of the large number of organizations within the Broader Public Service (BPS) that perform similar work. Our work includes, but is not limited to, collection, screening, laboratory and other diagnostic services and related support services in health care agencies and organizations outside of public hospitals.

The sector is governed by an executive committee elected by delegates to the OPSEU sectors’ divisional meeting in November 2009. CBS and Diagnostics is a member of OPSEU’s Health Care Divisional Council and sends a representative to those meetings.

Who we are and where we workk

There are more than 2,000 members in this sector who work for the following employers:  Canadian Blood Services, Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP), CML Healthcare Imaging Inc., Cybermedix Health Services Ltd., Ottawa Fertility Centre Inc., and Sudbury Vascular Laboratory Ltd.

Our members work in a wide range of professions:

Administrative Assistant - Administrative Support Assistant - Andrologist - Call Sheet Clerk - Campaign Administrator - Clerical Assistant - Clerical/Receptionist - Clerk Reception - Clerk/Data Entry - Clinic Assistant - Community Development Coordinator - Courier - Customer Service Representative - Data Entry Operator - Data Entry Receptionist - Data Reporting Assistant – Dictatypist - Donor Recruitment Assistant - Donor Service Representative - Driver - Embryologist -  Greeter/Rebooker - Group Leader – Hd. Technologist Immuno. - Information Officer - Laboratory Assistant - Laboratory Attendant - Laboratory Clerk - Laboratory Assistant - Laboratory Secretary - Library Tech - Logistics Assistant - Medical Laboratory Technologist - Medical Secretary - Occupational H & S Advisor - Phlebotomist - Phlebotomy Technician - Plasma Assistant - Program Asst - Quality Assurance Associates - Registered Technologist - Registered Ultrasound Technologist - Scheduler - Scientist - Single Technologist - Sonographer -  Stockroom Clerk - Stores Accountant - Supervisor Data Entry - Supervisor Mail & Whs - Technical Asst - Technical Support Analyst - Technologist - Telerecruiter - Trainer - Trainer/Phlebotomist - Training Assistant - Ultrasound Technologist -  Ultrasound Trainee - Utility Person - X-Ray Technologist

Our aims and objectives

-           To promote and develop the attainment of improved working conditions for, and the advancement of, regulated professional employees, paramedical pharmaceutical manufacturing employees within the highest quality health care delivery systems;

-          To develop and promote common demands for bargaining and coordination of bargaining;

-          To coordinate union activities within the division;

-          As a division, to advance the aims, purposes and goals of OPSEU 

-          To mobilize our members to discuss, matters of common interest.

-          As a division, to promote and support aims, purposes of other organized labour groups;

-          To participate with other member Divisions in the Health Care Divisional Council and its activities.

Bargaining Update

Ontario Government Restraint Act

The provincial government has passed legislation that freezes compensation for two years for all employees not represented by a bargaining agent.  This legislation is entitled “Public Sector Compensation Restraint to Protect Public Services Act, 2010” and is Schedule 24 of the omnibus Bill 16.

The government claims that because of the recession it has to freeze public sector compensation to help it manage the deficit and debt.

The legislation applies to agencies boards and commissions that received at least one million dollars from the Ontario government in 2009, as well as to MPPs and non-bargaining employees across the Ontario Public Service and Broader Public Service (including hospitals, boards of health, schools, colleges, universities, etc.)  This legislation does not directly affect any unionized employee.  There are no unilateral wage freezes or claw backs or “McGuinty Days” for unionized workers.

But the government stated that although existing collective agreements would be honoured, “as agreements are renegotiated, the government will work with transfer payment partners and bargaining agents to seek agreements of at least two years’ duration.  These agreements should help manage spending pressures, protect public services that Ontarians rely on and provide no net increase in compensation.” 

The government went on to state that its fiscal plan provides no funding for employers to provide any compensation increases and that all employers and employee groups will be expected to do their part.

Although a “wage freeze” sounds like your wages will stay the same they will actually be eroded by inflation, which is running at about two per cent annually.

The pay cut will not apply to public sector managers who get “pay for performance” bonuses.

Because of this legislation, OPSEU and other public sector unions are now being “offered” zero increases at almost every single bargaining table across the province.  

As part of its fightback to this repressive legislation, OPSEU activists have been protesting at Ontario Liberal Party fundraising events since April 19, demanding the government invest in public services and stop the corporate tax cuts, which will cost Ontario $3.2 billion over the next two years.

The Ontario government has now invited public sector unions and employers to participate in a consultation on public sector consultation.  The government has made clear that it is moving forward with its plan, but is proposing a consultation on sectoral agreements that provide non-compensation benefits in exchange for zero increases.   

OPSEU calls special leadership meeting

OPSEU has called a special meeting of its leadership on September 13 – Local Presidents, Sector Chairs, Equity Chairs, CAAT Chairs and OPS MERC Chairs – to discuss whether OPSEU should participate in such a consultation. 

Briefly ….

OAHPP Bargaining

Our colleagues who work for The Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP) have been negotiating a first collective agreement since April 2009.  This agency was formerly part of the Ontario Public Service and was downloaded by the provincial government.  Bargaining on economic issues was stalled by the introduction of the government’s restraint legislation.

OAHPP is covered by the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act, which means its employees do not have the right to strike.  In the last bargaining session in June, the parties were able to reach agreement on many of the outstanding issues.  The remaining outstanding issues have been referred to Interest Arbitration, where a Board of Arbitration will make a final and binding decision on the issues.  We extend greetings of solidarity to members of the OAHPP.

CBSTechnologists’ Collective Agreement

Notice to bargain was issued by the Union in March of this year, demand setting meetings have been held and the new bargaining team is preparing for negotiations.  Sector 19 wants you to know they are all behind your efforts to obtain a fair contract!