OHA is heavy-handed
The OHA is putting more energy into intimidating OPSEU members than into solving the contract problem, said President Leah Casselman.
The OHA approach, outlined in communiques to hospitals, is to threaten OPSEU members with discipline and dismissal if they so much as refuse overtime or extra shifts, or take breaks and meals.
Let’s be real. The problem here is under-staffing. Suspensions and dismissals will compound that problem not solve it. The OHA is threatening to bite off its nose to spite its face.
Sensible or not, threats and intimidation are common management responses when working people stand up for their rights.
Every time union members take a stand, some managers get it wrong.
Unions have had a lot of experience in this, and they know the answer: We stand together.
One person alone taking a stand is vulnerable. When everyone is part of the action, everything changes. There really is strength in numbers.
The OHA makes it sound as if the start of arbitration hearings would solve everything. Read yesterday’s HPD Action to get the truth on that.
OPSEU president Leah Casselman called the threats “unacceptable interference in union activity,” and said OPSEU and its members would file grievances and lay charges at the Labour Board.
One hospital understands
I met with our HR Director and the Chief Operating Officer of our hospital (Ross Memorial Hospital, Lindsay) to tell them that the majority of my members would be participating in the one day protest on February 13.
They were very understanding about the anger and frustration that my members feel. They assured me that none of my members would face disciplinary action for participating in this action.
My members are understandably very grateful to have this kind of support.
Susan Wallace, Local 309
Radio ads hit Feb. 5
OPSEU radio ads in support of hospital professionals hit the airwaves on Wednesday. The ads, authorized by the OPSEU Executive Board in January, aim to raise the profile of hospital professionals and promote the Feb. 13 Hospital Emergency Day of Action.
The ads will air in English or French according to the station in these cities: Barrie, Belleville/Trenton, Cambridge, Chatham/Wallaceburg, Collingwood, Cobourg/Port Hope, Cornwall, Guelph, Hamilton, Huntsville, Kingston, New Liskeard, Lindsay, London/Woodstock, North Bay, Oshawa, Owen Sound/Port Elgin, Peterborough, Sault
Ste. Marie, St. Catharines/Niagara, Sturgeon Falls, Stratford, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins and Toronto.
The station list is available here.
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