The OHA and the individual hospitals have been deliberating on what kind of discipline to levy on members who participated in the Hospital Emergency Day of Action.
Some hospitals have been calling members in for interviews to gather information about their involvement, but more obviously, to attempt to intimidate them. Some employers would rather do this than deal with the real issues at hand, like bargaining a contract that addresses the shortages and workload problems.
Whatever happens, whatever they do, whether it’s letters, suspensions or complaints to your college, don’t let them rattle you. Although this was expected, it doesn’t make it easy. Stay strong.
It is frustrating that hospitals think they have to discipline you for the action you took. It is frustrating that they aren’t putting their energies instead into resolving our collective agreement, to start addressing the problems of shortages and workload.
The hospitals should be thanking you. It is your mobilizing efforts that have brought the problems of shortages in our professions into the public spotlight. You have taken a strong stand to protect patient care in Ontario hospitals.
Remember, whatever they try to do to you, OPSEU is supporting you. If they call you in for any meeting, ask what it is about. It may be to interview you or it may be to discipline you. Make sure you bring your steward to the meeting. You may even want to wear red.
If the meeting is an interview for them to gather information about your involvement, your staff rep can advise you.
Here are some points to keep in mind:
The employer may be trying to get you to say you took part in an illegal action. Just say you participated in a Hospital Emergency Day of Action. Tell them you were standing up for health professionals everywhere.
The employer may also want to know where you were on February 13. If you were on the line, you can say that’s where you were. You could also point out that at all times you were committed to patient safety and ready to provide emergency care.
If you are disciplined, let your local president and staff rep know immediately. Make sure your staff representative gets a copy of any paper they hand you as well as any grievances you have filed. Any discipline should be grieved and OPSEU will fully represent you. The employer may also file an employer
grievance. (Thunder Bay Regional has already done this – they must be trying for a special OHA award.)
OPSEU has set up a coordinated process to handle both member grievances and our response to employer grievances. Some employers may be trying to see if they can rattle the membership or intimidate us. Do not panic. Keep OPSEU informed.
Stay strong!
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
Michèle Dawson Haber, Staff Researcher
