Who are we? New HCS Executive!

Many thanks to the outgoing members and their families for their support, hard work, dedication, patience and understanding. Some have committed themselves to this committee for many years and we wish them well in their activism. The Labour movement would be endangered without the help of strong union activists.

Solidarity Forever!

The Health Care Support Division introduces and welcomes its new executives.

Rose Dawkins – Chair
Rose is newly elected Chair of Sector 11. She is President of Local 581 at the Scarborough Hospital as a Senior Health Information Clerk. Rose is the contact person for Locals 149 and 227. You can e-mail her at dawkinsrose@hotmail.com.

Jill McIllwraith – Vice-Chair
Jill is an RPN with Grey Bruce Health Services and President of Local 260. She has served one term on the Sector 11 Executive. Jill is the contact person for Locals 226,260, 266 and 275. You can reach her by phone at (519) 986-4253 or by e-mail at mcillwraith@aol.com.

Darleen Lalonde – Treasurer
Darleen works at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Cornwall as a Receptionist and Switchboard Operator. She is a Steward and former Treasurer of Local 469. Darleen is the contact person for Local 469 and can be reached by phone at (613) 933-4389 or by Fax. (613) 933-4579.

Janet Heyman – Secretary
Janet works at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston as a Ward Clerk in the Emergency Department. She was elected to the Negotiations/ Grievance Committee and assists in planning the social events for her Local. She is the contact person for Locals 472 and 476. She can be reached at (613) 542-2561.

Marlene Bradley – Chair, Job Security
Marlene works at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston and has been active in Local 443 for the past 15 years. For the last eight years she has been active on the Health Care Support Executive where she was the previous Chair of the Board. She believes in the ongoing work of the Health Sector. She is the contact person for Locals 443 and 465. She can be reached at (613) 531-9671 or by e-mail at marleneopseu@kari-net.com.

Lisa Hovinga – Chair, Collective Bargaining
Lisa is an RPN at St. Francis Memorial Hospital, Local 473 in Barry’s Bay. She is the contact person for Locals 473, 666 and 715. She can be reached at (613) 637-5588 or by e-mail at ehovinga@nexicom.net.

Sheila Johnson – Chair, Health and Safety
Sheila works at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston. She is a Health and Safety Representative for Local 443. She is the contact person for Locals 320, 345 and 360. She can be reached at (613) 384-8251 or by e-mail at sheila50@hotmail.com.

Sue Shank –  Chair, Education and Communications
Sue works for Canadian Blood Services in Ottawa. She has been active in her Local since 1999. She is the President of Local 477. She is also the Vice-Chair of the Ottawa Area Council and is active within Region 4. She is the contact person for all Canadian Blood Services Locals. She can be reached by cell phone at (613) 864-6722 or by e-mail at tgerlady477@aol.com or sue.shank@bloodservices.ca.

Rhonda MacLaughlin – 1st Alternate
Rhonda works at the Scarborough General Hospital, Local 581. She is active as a Chief Steward She has been newly elected to the Committee. Rhonda is the contact person for Local 581 and can be reached by Cell. (613) 576-4033, at home (905) 478-4794, or by e-mail c/o dawkinsrose@hotmail.com.

Who are we?

We are part of the Health Care Divisional Council, which brings together the chairs of OPSEU’s six health care divisions and we work on issues that affect all Broader Public Service (BPS) health care members.

We are divided into sectors, which allow members to have a forum to discuss common issues.

The Health Care Support Sector is made up of OPSEU members who work in the hospitals, community care access centres, and public and private health facilities.

Our union represents over 26,000 health care workers across the province.

Network for Better Contracts

At the BPS Conference this year, we continued to expand the Network for Better Contracts (NBC).

NBC is a way to co-ordinate leadership training, collective bargaining across the Sectors.

What can you do?

As members of the BPS and the Health Care Support Sector, you can assist us.

The voices of Health Care Support members behind the Executive will give us strength, good communication, education and empowerment for all Health Care System workers. We work for you, let your voices be heard!

Are you currently bargaining? Let us know your issues!

Do you have a new Collective Agreement? Send it to us!

Are you facing a merger/divestment? Are you having trouble with your employer? We can help!

For more information or assistance please contact your Executive representative!

RPN Forum

On Oct. 6, 2003 in Toronto, OPSEU held a forum to discuss the issues that many Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), in a variety of different jobs in Ontario, have been expressing.

The day was a fact finding and brainstorming session to explore methods to achieve the goals that came out of the survey last spring.

Clearly our RPNs are asking for professional recognition from our Union, our employers and our co-workers.

A committee has been formed and a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2004

To launch the campaign a button has been designed and distributed by OPSEU to all represented locals. Watch for more information.

We wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday this season!
The Health Care Support Sector Executive

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