Now that my fingers have thawed, I can tell you what a great day we had in Kingston!
In spite of bitter cold, the line was so solid, so positive, and the day was a huge success. Members showed up at 7 a.m. to picket with their arms loaded with home baking. Non-OPSEU staff brought coffee, hot chocolate and donuts. One of our CUPE brothers made a most delicious soup.
We had roughly 150 people on our lines, every media outlet that could have covered it did, including the Ottawa TV. The non-participating OPSEU local was out with us at noon, as were many CUPE members on breaks and lunch.
There were amazing and funny moments. One radiology tech, who was picked to provide critical care found no work to do and two others whose names had not been picked had showed up. She explained to her manager that she couldn’t work because her heart was out on the line. To which her manager
replied, “You just go do what you have to do, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The other special moment was when the CUPE president quit work an hour and a half before his shift ended so that he could picket with OPSEU.
Our speakers including First Vice-President/Treasurer Smokey Thomas, who stepped in – in mid conversation – when a supporter choked on a piece of pizza, gave him the Heimlich manoeuvre, saved his life, then continued his conversation.
The members found they had a family they didn’t know about, and forged a bond of solidarity that they will not soon forget. They know now, more than ever, that when you are part of a union you don’t fight alone. They felt empowered, and proud.
Around the lines: News from all over
As promised yesterday, HPD Action is publishing as complete a roundup of yesterday’s activities as possible.
Thanks to everyone who submitted reports and pictures.
We have posted lot of the pictures on the web page. See the day at www.opseu.org.
Local 206
Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital
The members gathered at a nearby park in Burlington and marched to the Hospital at 7 a.m. They braved the cold and were supported by other members from their hospital, members from St. Joseph’s Hospital, members of the Correctional Local, the Community Care Access Centre in Hamilton and
other locals in Region 2. EBM Jay Jackson also supported the workers at this picket line. The members embraced each other at the end of the day in an act of solidarity, reports staff rep Esther MacLean.
Local 206
St. Joseph’s Hospital
About 150 members came out of the hospital on their lunch hour to picket and show support for the other members who are in central bargaining. St Joseph’s is in bargaining for a first contract.
NDP MPP David Christopherson addressed the chilled members as did Wayne Marston, president of the Hamilton and District Labour Council and Fran Borsellino of the Hamilton Health Coalition. It was a great demonstration of support.
Local 215
Niagara Health System
Staff rep Virgery Vanier reports getting a phone call asking for one picket sign at the Welland site.
The member is a CAT Scan Tech, and while they don’t work weekends or holidays, they are on call and have to return to the hospital within 20 minutes if called.
Her supervisor told her that if she was participating in the protest, she had better be able to get back to the hospital within 20 minutes or there would be serious repercussions.
“Since we were picketting in St. Catharines, there was a real possibility that she would not be able to make it back. So....
“She wanted the sign so that she could picket alone at the Welland General site. She intended to picket alone from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.rather than miss demonstrating her anger at the OHA.
At least 250 members participated at the St. Catharines site, joined by the CAW, the labour council, correctional officers and even some retirees.
Hotel Dieu Hospital members, who are not in central bargaining staged a solidarity picket. They all came out on an extended lunch break and were joined on the line by CUPE members. Members on days off also joined in.
Local 239
Cambridge Memorial Hospital
Cathe Vermeersch, local vice president, offers a quick correction on yesterday’s report from Cambridge.
“The Imaging Department did not go in. There were three techs chosen to work at Christmas Day staffing levels, and the rest were on the line. The Nuclear Medicine Department went in to accomodate MIBI scan patients. These are the techs who joined us on the line at lunch and afternoon break.
The other 30-odd members were on the line all day.”
Local 273
Hamilton Health Sciences
Information Picket Lines were set up at three work sites (McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton General and Henderson) in support of the members in Central Bargaining. Local 273 is in negotiations for a first agreement.
Local 275
South Bruce Grey Health Centre
People were out at 7:30 a.m. at the Kincardine Site at minus 13 and blowing snow, reports Karen Passmore.
“We had all paramed departments represented and members from the Power Workers and the CAW walked with us. The hospital administration let us have our demonstration on hospital property and even had the snow blower clear a spot for us!
“Our service unit came out in full force to support us. The public was very understanding and brought us coffee, hot chocolate and timbits.
Local 309
Ross Memorial Hospital
More than 40 hospital professionals in the City of Kawartha Lakes were on the lines all day.
They were supported by members of the Ontario Public Service and the labour council.
Locals 321, 342 and 343
Peterborough Regional health Centre
The vast majority of members were on the line in minus 25 degree weather, reports staff rep Terry Baxter.
Members of ONA, CUPE, the OPSEU clerical local at PRHC, OPS members from MNR and Millbrook as well as members of the CAW and the local labour council walked with our professionals throughout the day.
Local 346
Royal Victoria Hospital
More than 80 per cent of members turned out, with support from local management, reports staff rep Terry Krulicki.
“When we arrived at 7 a.m., we were greeted by the HR person who told us where we could picket. We were also told we were welcome to go into the hospital and use the facilities and get warm, provided we didn’t take the signs in.”
Managers brought out coffee, and even put on soup and sandwiches for lunch.
They had terrific support from the media and the public. Doctors joined the line and were very supportive. ONA members were on the line as well.
It was a very good day and very enthusiastic. Local president Jackie Gibbons did a wonderful job.
Local 348
Lakeridge Health Corporation
HPD Division chair Patty Rout reports on a great day in Oshawa.
“At lunch the police counted more than 180 members out. Everyone was great and we will have some great stories to tell. Management came out to get members five times, and we responded immediately.
“Thanks to Leah who came to the line and made us proud of what we were doing! Thanks to EBM Pauline Tapping who braved that cold all day long. We had lots of press.
Pauline added that members from Port Perry and Bowmanville joined the Oshawa line.
On four occasions management came out to get members on an emergency basis, and of course members went in.
“Other OPS locals came to show their support. Labour council came, we had a rally at lunch with Pauline, Labour Council’s Bill Hartford and Sid Ryan as well,” Patty said.
“Our members are ready to do whatever it takes.”
Local 461
Hawkesbury General Hospital
Luc Lafrance, secretary-treasurer of Local 461 reports that Hawkesbury General Hospital was out yesterday during the lunch period. “Fifteen members were on the line. We gave three interviews to media. Keep up the good work.”
Locals 464 and 484
Ottawa Hospitals and Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre
Local 464 president Mary Sue Smith reports that more than 200 members of Local 464 and Local 484 gave up their lunch break to march in bitterly cold weather in support of the members participating in the Hospital Emergency Day of Action. These locals are not part of central bargaining,
“Honks of support and words of encouragement from passing patients bolstered the spirits of all and confirmed their belief that their work is as important as the more well known members of the health care team.
“Press coverage included a lengthy French CBC TV interview, a live feed for CJOH’s News at Noon and an interview with The Ottawa Citizen. Despite several veiled threats from the employer, there was no sign of security or management.”
Sara Manoll reports strong turnouts at the Civic and General Ottawa Hospital sites (Local 464). Members held the line for 2 hours steady in 15-minute shift rotations because of the minus 30 temperature. “We were joined by members from the Riverside Campus and the Rehabilitation Centre (also
L464); Royal Ottawa Hospital (Local 479); the Ottawa District Labour Council; the Childrens’ Treatment Centre (Local 484); and others.”
Local President Michael Donaldson was a strong and articulate media representative for the local.
Local 583
Baycrest Hospital
Local President Robby Hersh calls her members amazing.
“You should all be proud of yourselves! You took back some personal and professional power. You weathered the cold with grace. And you had FUN!”
“Except for the emerg coverage, we had everyone in the following depts out: Communication Disorders, Dietitians, Occupational Therapy and Psychology.
“We had nearly every single Physiotherapist out; Bev from Chiropody came down on her vacation to walk with us; and more.
“Every time I turned around and saw another smiling familiar face, it made my heart swell. For those of you who could not come down but stayed out in support, that took courage too. Those of us downtown had each other (and a couple of hundred others) for support.
“Thanks to those who were selected to stay back as emerg. coverage. You had to brave the faces of your own directors and also of senior management. We could not have done our day of protest without your bravery.
“‘Mazel Tov’ to you all. I truly am proud to work (and walk) with you!
“Thank you for your support. YOU REALLY ROCK!”
Local 659
Sudbury Regional Hospital
A day like today helps illustrate why unions exist, says local president Yves Shank. “The empowerment that members get from a collective action is overwhelming. Today my 309 members were able to put differences aside, and fight for what they believe in. And they were amazing.
We had a Rally at 11:30 with a speech by Shelley Martel, NDP MPP and we counted 150 members. People were scheduled over the entire day and we asked people who were deemed essential to wear red and “13” buttons and give us their lunches and breaks, and to give the line an hour before and
after shifts and they did.
“We were well organized because of the hard work of Jan O’Leary and my stewards. We rented a moving van, lined the back with carpet, and filled it with chairs. We got a generator and heated the back of the truck and the portapotty, and powered a commercial wiener cooker for lunch. We had
water, hot chocolate and coffee, timbits and doughnuts, feet and hand warmers.
“We found out later, that our Hospital would have allowed us to use the bathrooms, but my members were happier this way, as they felt that they didn’t owe the Hospital anything.
“CUPE joined our line at lunch break, and the CUPE president was quite impressed. We had groups of nurses buy us coffee. Many non-OPSEU people were wearing red, and a few asked for t-shirts. We are the smallest Union local in my hospital, but after today, we are the strongest. Only one of
my members did not participate.”
Local 715
Thunder Bay Regional Health Centre
There were 32 in the morning at the Port Arthur site. Over the day there were probably 50 at all times, reports staff rep Vic Williams.
At the McKellar site, the corporate one with the HR people, there were close to 100 people most of the day, with 300 there at noon including members of other unions.
“We had trememdous support from the public and other unions. We passed out leaflets and I don’t know of one incident where people were negative.
“It went really well, despite being so cold for so long. Press was good.
One person was called in for an emergency and we responded right away.
“The employer was on TV last night almost congratulating us on how orderly and cooperative we were.”
OPSEU stands behind its members.
If there are any repercussions for taking part in the Day of Action, make sure you collect all the paperwork and get copies to your staff representative and to the central union.
Send copies to Moya Beall
by fax: 416-448-7451
or by mail to 100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 3P8.
Don’t delay. If there is any kind of pattern to discipline, the union needs to know it quickly.
Kudos!
What solidarity is all about
Wow, what a day! Sudbury’s numbers were high. Ninety nine per cent of their members participated – quite a feat considering it was minus 35 degrees at 8 a.m. – without the wind chill. Numbers were high on the lines and especially during the rally. Everyone saw this as a resounding success.
Congratulations to all involved. This demonstration today showed what solidarity is all about! The examples set by these folks cut the trail for those who follow. This has been one of the best campaigns I have had the privilege to participate in. From the very beginning, this group of
members have demonstrated their professionalism, organization and communications skills in all of their contacts with everyone involved.
Congratulations again to everyone involved.
– Region 6 EBM Linda Aho
Accolades to our staff
Dear Leah:
I am as proud as Punch about our members across the province and what they have done but I am writing you to give accolades to our Staff.
I can be the first in line to whine about not getting something for me and my members, but I’ll be damned if I am not going to say thanks for the class job they did yesterday.
I know that without them that day would not have happened. I now have a greater respect for them all and am equally proud they are there with us.
Pass along my thanks.
– Bryan Mitchell, President, Local 570
Proud to know you all
Congratulations to the CLC Winter School participants, who for a few hours, bolstered our hospitals lines in the Northern part of Region 3
Again, All Regions, all members, and staff, mobilizers, and communications at OPSEU – Congratulations!
I am proud to know you.
– Region 3 EBM Pauline Tapping
Your bargaining team
Aimee Axler, Chair, Local 444, Kingston General Hospital email: aimee.axler@sympatico.ca
David Hancock, Local 571, University Health Network, Toronto
Robby Hersh, Local 583, Baycrest Geriatric Care Centre, Toronto
James O’Leary, Local 106, London Health Sciences Centre
Patty Rout, Local 348, Lakeridge Health Corporation, Oshawa
Leslie Sanders, Local 348, Lakeridge Health Corporation, Oshawa
Yves Shank, Local 659, Sudbury Regional Hospital
Moya Beall, Staff Negotiator
Michčle Dawson Haber, Staff Researcher
