From shannon at bcpolicyalternatives.org Mon Jun 9 12:16:58 2003 From: shannon at bcpolicyalternatives.org (Shannon Daub) Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 12:16:58 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] CCPA: BC's new welfare policies recipe for hardship Message-ID: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives For immediate release: Monday June 9, 2003, 10:00 AM BC government warned that new welfare policies combined with slow economy spell upheaval, hardship in communities across the province (Vancouver) BC?s provincial government received a warning today from researchers who say its package of new welfare rules is radical and unprecedented, and will cause unacceptable hardship and upheaval in communities across BC. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) and the Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) joined with anti-poverty advocates at a news conference this morning to release A Bad Time to be Poor: An analysis of British Columbia?s new welfare policies. It is the first comprehensive review of the full package of policy changes. ?This study sounds the alarm about the government?s changes to social assistance in BC,? says Seth Klein, Director of the CCPA?s BC Office and co-author of the study. ?We are deeply concerned that the cuts to welfare rates and eligibility, combined with cuts to employment supports and an economic slowdown, could be a social catastrophe in the making. We are particularly concerned about the toxic mix of time limits, the two-year independence test, and the three-week wait.? ?The government has imported many policies from the US welfare restructuring of the 1990s,? says Andrea Long, a researcher with SPARC BC and co-author of the study. ?However, it has selectively imported the punitive policies that push and keep people of welfare?such as time limits?but not the supports that help people make the transition to paid employment.? ?This is clearly an exercise in budget-cutting, not good social policy. When the US implemented tough welfare rules in the 1990s, there was also an increase in spending on programs for low-income people,? says Long. ?In BC, many new policies actually discourage work re-entry. The government has cut child care, eliminated earnings exemptions, introduced a $6/hour ?training? wage, reduced training and educational opportunities, and cut transition-to-work assistance.? ?The Ministry of Human Resources has taken the biggest budget hit of any ministry,? says Seth Klein. ?In a very concrete way, we are seeing a transfer of income from the poorest among us?who need social assistance?to the wealthiest among us?who received the lion?s share of BC?s recent tax cuts.? ?The cuts are forcing people off welfare despite the fact that the provincial government is not anticipating a drop in the unemployment rate,? says Klein. ?It is normal for welfare rolls to decline during economic good times?that happened in Canada and the US during the 1990s. But it is quite another thing to plan for a reduction in welfare rolls when unemployment is stagnant.? ?Already, the new rules are causing increased despair and hardship for many,? says Klein. ?There are early reports of an increase in homelessness in Vancouver, and the cuts are hitting at a time when workers in resource-dependent communities are struggling with the impacts of the softwood lumber dispute and exhausting their EI coverage.? ?The government should compassionately rethink its welfare policies,? says Klein. ?BC should not abandon welfare when in need as a basic human right.? -30- Seth Klein and Andrea Long, as well as welfare advocates from Vancouver, Victoria, Campbell River and Kamloops, are available for commentary. To arrange an interview, call Shannon Daub at 604-801-5509. ?A Bad Time to be Poor: An analysis of British Columbia?s new welfare policies? is available online at www.policyalternatives.ca or www.sparc.bc.ca ---- Shannon Daub, Communications Coordinator Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - BC Office http://www.policyalternatives.ca 1400-207 West Hastings St, Vancouver, V6B 1H7 Direct tel: (604) 801-5509 Fax: (604) 801-5122 CAW3000 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From RMoran at ciea.bc.ca Wed Jun 11 16:47:37 2003 From: RMoran at ciea.bc.ca (Roseanne Moran) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 16:47:37 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Message-ID: <4119EC095B2CFE4E80731B5776F102820B05D8@dc01.ciea.corp> Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the program last night and all of the CIEA Presidents who were meeting at an annual retreat watched it and the feedback was good. Good work to all those who put it together and let us know what kind of feedback you get from members and the public on it. Roseanne. CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Teresa.Marshall at bcgeu.ca Wed Jun 11 16:54:44 2003 From: Teresa.Marshall at bcgeu.ca (Marshall, Teresa) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 16:54:44 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Message-ID: <517DADDBB3EDAF44A2620DCB53689BD601487942@exchange.bcgeu.bc.ca> Thank you for your generous comments. We have received excellent response from members and public alike following last night's broadcast of Cut to the Heart. We are in the process of sending out copies to mayors/councils, CLC labour councils, BC Fed officers - and pretty much anyone who is willing to show the video to their co-workers, members, or community. A slightly pared-down version of the show (no commercials, for example) will be re-broadcast on Working TV - Shaw Cable 4 throughout the Lower Mainland this Monday, June 16 at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 6:30 a.m. So, another viewing chance coming up! In solidarity, Teresa Marshall Communications officer British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union Tel: (604) 291-9611 ext. 454 Toll free: 1-800-663-1674 www.bcgeu.ca -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 4:48 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the program last night and all of the CIEA Presidents who were meeting at an annual retreat watched it and the feedback was good. Good work to all those who put it together and let us know what kind of feedback you get from members and the public on it. Roseanne. CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From organize at bcfed.com Wed Jun 11 16:54:17 2003 From: organize at bcfed.com (John Weir) Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 16:54:17 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Message-ID: <3D6D51D9DD03D611BBA700508B97628C1D8158@BCFEDNT> Do you have any metrics for viewers? It would be interesting to see what kind of audience it drew. John Weir Director of Organizing and Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer British Columbia Federation of Labour -----Original Message----- From: Marshall, Teresa [mailto:Teresa.Marshall at bcgeu.ca] Sent: June 11, 2003 4:55 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Thank you for your generous comments. We have received excellent response from members and public alike following last night's broadcast of Cut to the Heart. We are in the process of sending out copies to mayors/councils, CLC labour councils, BC Fed officers - and pretty much anyone who is willing to show the video to their co-workers, members, or community. A slightly pared-down version of the show (no commercials, for example) will be re-broadcast on Working TV - Shaw Cable 4 throughout the Lower Mainland this Monday, June 16 at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 6:30 a.m. So, another viewing chance coming up! In solidarity, Teresa Marshall Communications officer British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union Tel: (604) 291-9611 ext. 454 Toll free: 1-800-663-1674 www.bcgeu.ca -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 4:48 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the program last night and all of the CIEA Presidents who were meeting at an annual retreat watched it and the feedback was good. Good work to all those who put it together and let us know what kind of feedback you get from members and the public on it. Roseanne. CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From update at heu.org Thu Jun 12 11:51:08 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 11:51:08 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU Newsletter: Burnaby council supports Willingdon Park care aides Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160186658A@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net Newsletters June 12, 2003 Burnaby council supports Willingdon Park care aides Agrees to look at monitoring privatized health care work Willingdon Park care aides may be only two weeks away from their last day on the job, but a fightback that began the day they received their layoff notices is gaining steady momentum and growing community support. In preparation for their second rally in less than a month, the laid-off workers took a delegation of more than 20 supporters to Burnaby municipal council on June 11, where they presented a 10,000-name petition protesting the facility's decision to privatize health care work. "What's happening at Willingdon Park hospital is wrong. It's putting profit ahead of people," said Sarjit Dhillon, who has worked at the hospital for 23 years. "We ask that you support us as we fight for our seniors and for decently paid, community-supporting jobs." Barb Bardua, who's been a care aide at Willingdon Park for 17 years, said she worries that a private company won't be able to deliver consistent care, and that the direct working relationship care aides now have with the nursing team will be ruptured "because care aides from the private company will be directed by their agency." Raj Atwal, the local chair, who has worked for 16 years at the facility, appealed to council to consider what it will mean for residents to lose the familiar, trusted relationships they have with the 35 regular and 20 casual care aides who will work their last shifts on June 27. "Most have worked at Willingdon Park for more than 10 years," she said. "We're there because we want to be, because we love working with seniors and because we are doing useful, important work." Council's response was extremely supportive. They approved the delegation's request to close the block in front of Willingdon Park hospital for a June 14 rally and agreed to consider setting up a health services committee that would monitor the effects of privatizated health care in Burnaby. The request will be reviewed at the next meeting of the executive committee. Willingdon Park is the first long-term care facility in B.C. to contract out seniors' personal care. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Thu Jun 12 16:39:36 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 16:39:36 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU Newsletter: Critics call on Campbell to shelve surgery privatization plans Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F4916018667A6@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net Newsletters June 12, 2003 Critics call on Campbell to shelve surgery privatization plans Less than 24 hours after news emerged of the Campbell government's plans to break an election promise by contracting out thousands of surgical procedures at Richmond Hospital, critics are calling on Victoria to shelve the unprecedented scheme. Researcher Dr. P.J. Devereaux says conclusive medical evidence shows that patients are at greater risk in for-profit health care settings than in not-for-profit hospitals. "The evidence is consistent, profound and large that there are increased death rates" in private hospitals, the McMaster University cardiologist told the Victoria Times Colonist June 12. The reason, says Devereaux, is that because of the profit motive, private operators "cut corners on the quality of care and that results in deaths." The Times Colonist also revealed today that Premier Campbell first pressed for the privatization of day surgeries at a meeting with B.C.'s top health authority bosses six months ago. But in a pre-election interview with HEU's newspaper, the Guardian, Campbell said he wanted to get the public system firing on all cylinders to make private clinics redundant. Meanwhile, HEU's national union president, Judy Darcy of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, called the privatization move "an outrage" that puts Canada's entire health care system "in jeopardy." In a letter to federal health minister Anne McLellan, Darcy called for an immediate moratorium on health care privatization. To send an urgent action appeal to demand that the Chretien government to put a halt to B.C.'s privatization plans go to http://www.cupe.ca/action.php?submit=show&actionID=10 The federal NDP also zeroed in on the B.C. government's privatization bid. In question period June 12, NDP MP Bill Blaikie said the B.C. Liberals were "Canada's leader in contracting out care" and grilled McLellan on how the federal government would protect Medicare. And women's activists charge that the well-being of women patients will be put at risk if surgeries like breast mastectomies and vaginal hysterectomies-some of the obstetrical and gynecological procedures targeted for privatization-are transferred away from acute care facilities to stand alone private clinics. Vancouver Women's Health Collective spokesperson Caryn Duncan says that if women undergoing these significant procedures develop complications, they need immediate access to a full range of emergency and surgical services that aren't available at for-profit clinics. The CBC has obtained copies of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's privatization tender documents, which can be downloaded in pdf format by clicking on the links below. http://www.heu.org/EOI2003-006notice.pdf http://www.heu.org/EOI2003-006.pdf -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From nknickerbocker at bctf.ca Thu Jun 12 17:20:10 2003 From: nknickerbocker at bctf.ca (Nancy Knickerbocker) Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 17:20:10 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Child labour changes Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.1.20030612171905.02bb7250@pop.bctf.ca> For immediate release June 12, 2003 On World Day Against Child Labour, teachers and child advocates call on the government to rescind Bill 37 Teachers in B.C. are marking the second annual World Day Against Child Labour by calling upon the government to rescind Bill 37, which would significantly expand employers' ability to hire children aged 12-15 without any special considerations for their youth or their education. "Teachers and child advocates are deeply concerned about the proposed changes in Bill 37," said BCTF President Neil Worboys. "It is the most regressive legislation in Canada. It is clearly designed to benefit employers, not children, and it eliminates what few protections previously existed for children aged 12-15 on the job." As it stands now, employers who want to hire children under the age of 15 must get permission from the director of the Employment Standards Branch, who can set conditions of work for the child and can compel the employer to respect those conditions. In the past, they also needed the approval of the child's school counsellor. Under Bill 37, employers would need nothing more than a note from a parent or guardian to hire children between the ages of 12 and 15. The Employment Standards Branch would no longer regulate child employment, nor would it have the capacity to monitor workplaces. Employers would be self-regulating and the branch would operate on a "complaint-driven" basis only. There would be no pro-active policy to protect children. "We are very worried about the potential impact on students' education," Worboys said. "In most provinces, the law emphasizes the primacy of education and the employment of children during school hours is severely restricted." In Alberta and in Ontario, for example, children under 16 are required to attend school and cannot be employed during normal school hours. Not in B.C. In most provinces and territories, work outside school hours is generally allowed but night shifts are prohibited. Not in B.C. "B.C. law says that children under 16 must attend school but, but Bill 37 contains no requirements for employers to respect school hours, or even for them not to assign young workers to night shifts," Worboys said. Teachers and school counsellors already see the impact on education for students who are juggling jobs and school. These can include: increased tardiness and absenteeism; fewer hours of sleep and reduced mental alertness; decline in academic achievement; limited participation in extra-curricular activities; increased stress; and even, in some instances, increased rates of drug and alcohol consumption. Students who work more than 30 hours per week are also at higher risk of dropping out. Worboys said it's no coincidence that changes to child labour laws are being introduced just as the Liberal funding freeze has caused some school boards to cut the school week down to four days. "They're taking away 20% of students' class time and opening the market wide up for adolescents in McJobs," he said. Teachers are also worried that reducing the age of employability will put many youth at risk, especially children from low-income families that are already under increased strain due to massive cuts to welfare and family services, reduced the minimum wage, and weakened union and WCB protection. "We believe this law could have a disproportionately negative effect on immigrant children, children from minority groups, and poor children," said Worboys. "Children who feel pressure to work to help their parents feed the family are particularly vulnerable to exploitation on the job. And immigrant parents from countries that lack employment standards may not be aware of how to help their children assert their rights in the workplace. Families are really going to be on their own." The safety of young workers is another serious concern, Worboys said. "Because of their lack of experience and training, young workers are at higher risk than others. More than 50 percent of work-related accidents in B.C. take place during young workers' first six months on the job." Bill 37 was introduced in early May, but did not pass third reading in the rush of legislation before the end of the session. Worboys appealed to parents and other concerned citizens to contact Labour Minister Graham Bruce to express their concerns for the sake of children's education, health and wellbeing. "We don't believe it's a step forward for our society to have more children working for a wage," he said. "There is still time to try to convince our government not to go ahead with this very regressive legislation. Childhood is a time for learning and play, not for jobs." -30- To send a letter to Minister Bruce, please e-mail him at SDL.Minister at gems8.gov.bc.ca or fax him at 250-356-6595. For more information, contact Nancy Knickerbocker, BCTF media relations officer, at 604-871-1881 (office) or 604-250-6775 (cell). **************** "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality." Dante, 1265-1321 Nancy Knickerbocker BCTF media relations officer Office: 604-871-1881 Cell: 604-250-6775 Toll free: 1-800-663-9163 From Teresa.Marshall at bcgeu.ca Fri Jun 13 13:59:40 2003 From: Teresa.Marshall at bcgeu.ca (Marshall, Teresa) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 13:59:40 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Message-ID: <517DADDBB3EDAF44A2620DCB53689BD601487961@exchange.bcgeu.bc.ca> It's our understanding the audience was approx 130,000-150,000 in the Lower Mainland. Global does not do overnite metering for Vancouver Island or other areas outside the Lower Mainland market. The station did report numerous calls after the program from viewers asking for video copies (referred to BCGEU). -Teresa -----Original Message----- From: John Weir [mailto:organize at bcfed.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 4:54 PM To: 'A private discussion list for labour communications.' Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Do you have any metrics for viewers? It would be interesting to see what kind of audience it drew. John Weir Director of Organizing and Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer British Columbia Federation of Labour -----Original Message----- From: Marshall, Teresa [mailto:Teresa.Marshall at bcgeu.ca] Sent: June 11, 2003 4:55 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Thank you for your generous comments. We have received excellent response from members and public alike following last night's broadcast of Cut to the Heart. We are in the process of sending out copies to mayors/councils, CLC labour councils, BC Fed officers - and pretty much anyone who is willing to show the video to their co-workers, members, or community. A slightly pared-down version of the show (no commercials, for example) will be re-broadcast on Working TV - Shaw Cable 4 throughout the Lower Mainland this Monday, June 16 at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 6:30 a.m. So, another viewing chance coming up! In solidarity, Teresa Marshall Communications officer British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union Tel: (604) 291-9611 ext. 454 Toll free: 1-800-663-1674 www.bcgeu.ca -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 4:48 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the program last night and all of the CIEA Presidents who were meeting at an annual retreat watched it and the feedback was good. Good work to all those who put it together and let us know what kind of feedback you get from members and the public on it. Roseanne. CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From update at heu.org Fri Jun 13 15:57:00 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 15:57:00 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Laid-off care aides, supporters to rally at 11 a.m. Saturday against privatizing seniors' personal health care Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160189F36C@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 13, 2003 Laid-off care aides, supporters to rally at 11 a.m. Saturday against privatizing seniors' personal health care Willingdon Park care aides - the first health care workers delivering direct patient care to be contracted out in B.C. - are rallying against the privatization of seniors' care at Burnaby's Willingdon Park Hospital, June 14 at 11 a.m. The care aides, who are members of the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE), and their supporters, will voice their opposition to this latest threat to public health care and the risks it presents for seniors' in long-term care facilities. As evidenced by the 10,000-name petition presented to Burnaby council earlier this week, the campaign to support quality seniors' care and stop the privatization of direct patient care is gaining momentum and community wide support. What: Rally in support of Willingdon Park care aides and quality seniors' care Who: Seniors' advocates Ben Swankey and Jack Nichols, front-line caregivers, and others When: 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 Where: 4435 Grange Street (at Willingdon, one block north of Kingsway) in Burnaby -30- Contact: Mike Old, communications officer, 604-828-6771 (cell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From rverzuh at cupe.ca Sat Jun 14 13:24:53 2003 From: rverzuh at cupe.ca (Ron Verzuh) Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 13:24:53 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show In-Reply-To: <517DADDBB3EDAF44A2620DCB53689BD601487961@exchange.bcgeu.bc.ca> Message-ID: Heard good things about it. Good on you. Was at think tank so didn't get a chance to tune in. Can you send me a dub? Cheers! R. P.S. I'm back in town again the last week of June. Let me know when your're up for a coffee or lunch again. Ron Verzuh CUPE Communications 604-291-1940 (258) 604-828-7668 (cell) 604-291-1194 fax Get the latest news from CUPE BC Region at www.cupe.bc.ca Subscribe to cupe.news online at http://cupe.bc.ca/index.php4?id=296 -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net]On Behalf Of Marshall, Teresa Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 2:00 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show It's our understanding the audience was approx 130,000-150,000 in the Lower Mainland. Global does not do overnite metering for Vancouver Island or other areas outside the Lower Mainland market. The station did report numerous calls after the program from viewers asking for video copies (referred to BCGEU). -Teresa -----Original Message----- From: John Weir [mailto:organize at bcfed.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 4:54 PM To: 'A private discussion list for labour communications.' Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Do you have any metrics for viewers? It would be interesting to see what kind of audience it drew. John Weir Director of Organizing and Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer British Columbia Federation of Labour -----Original Message----- From: Marshall, Teresa [mailto:Teresa.Marshall at bcgeu.ca] Sent: June 11, 2003 4:55 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Thank you for your generous comments. We have received excellent response from members and public alike following last night's broadcast of Cut to the Heart. We are in the process of sending out copies to mayors/councils, CLC labour councils, BC Fed officers - and pretty much anyone who is willing to show the video to their co-workers, members, or community. A slightly pared-down version of the show (no commercials, for example) will be re-broadcast on Working TV - Shaw Cable 4 throughout the Lower Mainland this Monday, June 16 at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 6:30 a.m. So, another viewing chance coming up! In solidarity, Teresa Marshall Communications officer British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union Tel: (604) 291-9611 ext. 454 Toll free: 1-800-663-1674 www.bcgeu.ca -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 4:48 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the program last night and all of the CIEA Presidents who were meeting at an annual retreat watched it and the feedback was good. Good work to all those who put it together and let us know what kind of feedback you get from members and the public on it. Roseanne. CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From lleclair at cupe.ca Mon Jun 16 08:16:30 2003 From: lleclair at cupe.ca (Louise LeClair) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 08:16:30 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I too want to congratulate. Theresa and BCGEU for the program and work. i didn't see it live but had the opportunity to see a video over the weekend. Now, if we can just live up to the promises of putting the hundreds and thousands on the streets..Thanks again. insol LL -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net]On Behalf Of Ron Verzuh Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 1:25 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Heard good things about it. Good on you. Was at think tank so didn't get a chance to tune in. Can you send me a dub? Cheers! R. P.S. I'm back in town again the last week of June. Let me know when your're up for a coffee or lunch again. Ron Verzuh CUPE Communications 604-291-1940 (258) 604-828-7668 (cell) 604-291-1194 fax Get the latest news from CUPE BC Region at www.cupe.bc.ca Subscribe to cupe.news online at http://cupe.bc.ca/index.php4?id=296 -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net]On Behalf Of Marshall, Teresa Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 2:00 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show It's our understanding the audience was approx 130,000-150,000 in the Lower Mainland. Global does not do overnite metering for Vancouver Island or other areas outside the Lower Mainland market. The station did report numerous calls after the program from viewers asking for video copies (referred to BCGEU). -Teresa -----Original Message----- From: John Weir [mailto:organize at bcfed.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 4:54 PM To: 'A private discussion list for labour communications.' Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Do you have any metrics for viewers? It would be interesting to see what kind of audience it drew. John Weir Director of Organizing and Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer British Columbia Federation of Labour -----Original Message----- From: Marshall, Teresa [mailto:Teresa.Marshall at bcgeu.ca] Sent: June 11, 2003 4:55 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Thank you for your generous comments. We have received excellent response from members and public alike following last night's broadcast of Cut to the Heart. We are in the process of sending out copies to mayors/councils, CLC labour councils, BC Fed officers - and pretty much anyone who is willing to show the video to their co-workers, members, or community. A slightly pared-down version of the show (no commercials, for example) will be re-broadcast on Working TV - Shaw Cable 4 throughout the Lower Mainland this Monday, June 16 at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 6:30 a.m. So, another viewing chance coming up! In solidarity, Teresa Marshall Communications officer British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union Tel: (604) 291-9611 ext. 454 Toll free: 1-800-663-1674 www.bcgeu.ca -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 4:48 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] Congrats to BCGEU on TV show Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the program last night and all of the CIEA Presidents who were meeting at an annual retreat watched it and the feedback was good. Good work to all those who put it together and let us know what kind of feedback you get from members and the public on it. Roseanne. CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From update at heu.org Mon Jun 16 13:59:16 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 13:59:16 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: SARS spread aided by contracting out hospital cleaning and laundry, says head of Taiwan's disease control agency Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160189F763@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 16, 2003 SARS spread aided by contracting out hospital cleaning and laundry, says head of Taiwan's disease control agency The official responsible for Taiwan's efforts to control the spread of SARS has issued a stark warning about the dangers of contracting out hospital staff that B.C.'s health authorities should heed, says the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE). According to the Taipei Times, the head of Taiwan's Centre for Disease Control says contracting out of hospital laundry, cleaning and nursing aide services contributed to the devastating outbreak of SARS in that country which last week stood at 680 probable cases with more than 80 deaths attributed to the disease. CDC director Su Ih-jen told the Times: "These nursing aides, cleaners and laundry workers were not the hospitals' formal employees. The hospitals, therefore, could not efficiently manage these workers." Su also told the Times that he's recommending hospitals take direct control of all contracted out work to bolster the country's infection control efforts. HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic says that British Columbians expect those charged with running our health care system to take every precaution to prevent another SARS outbreak in this province. "I urge our health authorities to consider the warning of their Taiwanese counterparts before rolling the dice on public safety," added Bosancic. Bosancic says B.C.'s success in controlling SARS is due in part to the efficient operation of the health care team - including the critical services provided by hospital cleaners, laundry workers and security officers. "Contracting out means breaking up the health care team and compromising our infection control efforts," says Bosancic. "I urge B.C.'s health authorities to shelve their contracting out plans and investigate the risks of privatization before costly mistakes are made." The full article from the June 10 issue of the Tapei Times can be viewed at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/06/10/2003054672. -30- Contact: Mike Old, communications officer, 604-828-6771 (cell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Mon Jun 16 16:50:51 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 16:50:51 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU e-bulletin: Laid-off care aides rallied Saturday against privatization of seniors' personal health care Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160189FB58@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net HEU E-bulletin June 16, 2003 Laid-off care aides and their supporters rallied Saturday against privatization of seniors' personal health care Dozens of supporters joined Willingdon Park care aides - the first health care workers delivering direct patient care to have their jobs contracted out in B.C. - at a Saturday morning rally to voice their opposition to this latest threat to public health care and the risk it presents for seniors in long-term care facilities. The care aides, members of the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE), have been campaigning against the privatizing of their work - bathing, grooming, dressing and feeding the 95 seniors who live in this privately operated, but publicly funded, facility. As evidenced by the 10,000-name petition presented to Burnaby council last week, the campaign to support quality seniors' care and stop the privatization of direct patient care is gaining momentum and community wide support. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From RMoran at ciea.bc.ca Tue Jun 17 11:03:56 2003 From: RMoran at ciea.bc.ca (Roseanne Moran) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 11:03:56 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO Message-ID: <4119EC095B2CFE4E80731B5776F102820B05DB@dc01.ciea.corp> Hi everyone. I just wanted to follow up from our labourstart campaign around the BC government violating international law. CIEA will be donating $300 to Labourstart in recognition of their important contribution to our campaign. I am not sure if others have made a donation, but I am encouraging other unions to do so if possible. I would also like to see if we can arrange a meeting of interested communicators to talk about next steps around the ILO campaign. I know that Eric lee of Labourstart has suggested we need to kick it up a notch and we probably need to get together on this. CIEA would be happy to host a meeting of interested communicators on this issue. The week of June 30th might work if people are interested. Let me know. Roseanne. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From update at heu.org Tue Jun 17 13:53:41 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 13:53:41 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Nursing home operator pressured care aides to leave union to keep their jobs - LRB Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160189FF53@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 17, 2003 Nursing home operator pressured care aides to leave union to keep their jobs - LRB HEU calls on health authority to implement 'code of conduct' to prevent further abuses of workers' rights by long-term care operators The Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE) is urging the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority to implement a code of conduct for long-term care facilities it funds after the B.C. Labour Relations Board ruled that Point Grey Private Hospital had engaged in unfair labour practices in its dealing with unionized care aides. In a ruling handed down Monday, the B.C. Labour Relations Board found the facility's operator and part owner Maureen McIntosh violated the labour code by suggesting to employees that they decertify or change to a 'Christian' union in order to maintain their wages and benefits. Specifically, the Board ruled that McIntosh interfered in the administration of a trade union and that her actions were an attempt to compel or induce workers from remaining members of a trade union. HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic says government legislation tearing up union contracts is an open invitation to employers to engage in similar pressure tactics and called on the VCHA to implement a code of conduct for all long-term care facilities it funds to prevent such abuses. "The health authority needs to send a clear signal to the facilities it funds that abusing workers' rights won't be tolerated in the programs that it funds," says Bosancic. McIntosh contracted out the work of housekeeping, laundry and food services workers at Point Grey Private Hospital last year. Lay off notices to care aides at the facility were rescinded last fall. Last year, workers at two other facilities administered or partially owned by McIntosh decertified. And care aides at the Lakeshore Care Centre in Coquitlam - also partly owned by McIntosh - have been given notice of lay off effective July 28. Housekeeping, laundry and dietary staff at Lakeshore lost their jobs last year. -30- Contact: Mike Old, communications officer, 604-828-6771 (cell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Wed Jun 18 15:33:04 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2003 15:33:04 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] BCHC News Release: Health authority board urged to launch public hearings on private surgeries, announce audit of North Shore cataract clinic when it meets today in Richmond Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F4916018D737E@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net BC Health Coalition News Release June 18, 2003 BCHC News Release: Health authority board urged to launch public hearings on private surgeries, announce audit of North Shore cataract clinic when it meets today in Richmond The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority board should launch both public hearings on its plans to privatize surgeries and an audit of a controversial North Shore cataract clinic when it meets in Richmond later this morning, says the BC Health Coalition. "It's unacceptable that this health authority hatches its' plans to privatize mastectomies, foot amputations and tubal ligations behind closed doors," says health coalition coordinator Terrie Hendrickson. "It's a public health care system. Give the public a voice on the future of health care delivery in this region." The VCHA's three-year redesign plan contains no mention of a move to privatize surgeries, and the subject has never been put on the agenda of a public board meeting, says Hendrickson. In addition, to seeking public input on private surgeries, the BCHC is calling for an independent audit of the Northmount Eye Surgical Centre which has carried out cataract surgeries for Lion's Gate Hospital over the past four years. This arrangement is touted by the VCHA and the provincial government as an example of how contracts with private clinics can reduce surgery waitlists in a cost effective manner without violating the Canada Health Act. But today's Province newspaper is reporting that bailiffs have seized the clinic and that some patients are alleging queue-jumping practices. Hendrickson says the audit should investigate those claims and include an analysis of the contract's real costs including those related to supplies, administrative support and legal advice provided by the health authority. As well, the audit should assess the contract's impact on Lion's Gate Hospital's cataract surgery wait lists and on the wait lists of the individual surgeons involved, and review the reasons it was not renewed in March. "Let's stop relying on unsupported claims by the health authority that this contract was cost effective and good for patients," says Hendrickson. "The public needs to know that the health authority is considering all the evidence before gambling away our public health care system." Last week, the VCHA admitted that it plans to seek bids from private contractors to perform as many as 3,200 day surgeries currently done at Richmond Hospital. -30- Contact: Terrie Hendrickson, BCHC Coordinator, 604-816-7581 (cell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Thu Jun 19 11:44:06 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 11:44:06 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU Newsletter: Front-line social services workers oppose cuts to vulnerable citizens Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F4916018D7781@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net Newsletters June 19, 2003 Front-line social services workers oppose cuts to vulnerable citizens Government says budget reductions still in the offing With the Campbell Liberal government under increasing attack for the severity of its planned budget cut to the Ministry of Children and Families, community social services workers are joining the public outcry, demanding programs and services remain intact. "While government appears to be backing down on its original 23 per cent target, there's no doubt that a range of services supporting vulnerable children and adults are still on the chopping block," says HEU assistant secretary-business manager Zorica Bosancic. "I'm encouraging all front-line workers to continue to speak out in every forum possible about the risks these cutbacks pose to the children and families, youth, and adults with disabilities who depend on Ministry programs," she says. "It just isn't acceptable for government to suggest it will reduce its original target by a few percentage points in response to a flurry of bad publicity, and then turn around and cut services that are vital to many of our most vulnerable citizens." Last week's leaked Treasury Board document, detailing cutbacks of more than $220 million, unleashed a storm of public protest about the impact projected cuts would have on children and youth who are at risk and adults with special needs requiring care. Although government has indicated it will reconsider the extent to which it will slash the Ministry's budget, it left no doubt cuts would still occur. "Community social services workers know first hand the damage these cuts will do to people's lives," says Bosancic. "It's time for front-line caregivers to publicize their views, whether by calling talk shows and radio feedback lines, writing letters to local papers, or calling local MLAs." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Fri Jun 20 10:55:34 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 10:55:34 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Care aides laid off days after LRB nails employer Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F4916018D7B83@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 20, 2003 Care aides laid off days after LRB nails employer for unfair labour practices Vancouver nursing home operator had pressured workers to decertify or join 'Christian' union to keep their jobs Just days after the Labour Relations Board ruled that the operator of a Vancouver long-term care home had engaged in unfair labour practices, the care aides who work there have been laid off. Point Grey Private Hospital, a publicly funded seniors' care facility, gave notice to the Hospital Employees' Union late Thursday of its intention to lay off more than two dozen care aides and contract out their work. In a ruling handed down Monday, the B.C. Labour Relations Board found that the facility's operator and part owner, Maureen McIntosh, violated the labour code by suggesting to employees that they decertify or join a 'Christian' union in order to maintain their wages and benefits. The LRB ruled that McIntosh interfered in the administration of a trade union and that her actions were an attempt to compel or induce workers from continuing to be members of a trade union. The facility was ordered by the LRB to post the decision in the workplace. HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic says government legislation tearing up union contracts has been an open invitation to health employers to engage in similar pressure tactics and has turned back the clock on workers' rights. "Labour relations in B.C.'s health care system today is straight out of the thirties," says Bosancic. "Employers can intimidate and coerce workers with few consequences and then throw them out of work under cover of government legislation tearing up their contracts." Along with the workers who've lost their jobs, Bosancic says it's the four dozen seniors at Point Grey who will suffer as they lose caregivers who've provided the bulk of their personal care and in some cases have worked at the facility for more than twenty years. McIntosh contracted out housekeeping, laundry and dietary work at Point Grey last year. -30- Contact: Mike Old, communications officer, 604-828-6771 (cell) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Mon Jun 23 09:01:56 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 09:01:56 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU Newsletter: Health care workers warn NHA that privatization moves will hurt patients and communities Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F4916018D7F86@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net Newsletters June 20, 2003 Health care workers warn NHA that privatization moves will hurt patients and communities Questions raised about authority's interest in Alberta laundry facilities Health care workers attending today's northern health authority board meeting voiced their opposition to two recently announced privatization moves that could put more than 150 workers on the unemployment rolls. Early in the week Simon Fraser Lodge, a long-term care facility in Prince George, announced its intention to contract out all housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, dietary, and recreation support staff. A Request for Proposals will be posted within the next two weeks and it's expected results will be known before the end of August. On the heels of that announcement, the health authority took its first step toward privatizing the region's laundry and linen services by issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest that will close July 16, 2003. Workers took the opportunity to question whether a recent trip by authority managers to a Grande Prairie, Alberta laundry facility signals their intention to truck dirty linen across the border, along with health care workers' jobs. The Board responded that all proposals would be welcome. Workers say contracting out will reduce the quality of care patients now receive and adversely affect the economy of northern communities in the process. With unemployment rising in the north, they say eliminating decent paying jobs that support families and communities doesn't make sense. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Mon Jun 23 11:11:02 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 11:11:02 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Sally Ann urged to reconsider sacking of 64 workers from Victoria care home Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F491601907D75@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 21, 2003 Sally Ann urged to reconsider sacking of 64 workers from Victoria care home Supporters to leaflet Salvation Army's Pacific Northwest Congress in Vancouver Saturday Front-line health care workers are appealing to Salvation Army Congress delegates meeting in Vancouver this weekend to recognize the plight of more than 60 health care workers who were laid off earlier this month from a care home operated by the organization in Victoria. Unless Sally Ann's local administrators agree to take a second look at their decision to contract out workers' jobs to a private, for-profit company, Sunset Lodge's entire permanent unionized care staff - nurses, care and activity aides, social workers, cooks, food service and maintenance workers - will be out on the street by August 9, 2003. "We're shocked that a non-profit facility operated by a charitable institution like the Salvation Army would put profits into the hands of a private company while forcing more women into unemployment and poverty," says Hospital Employees' Union spokesperson Zorica Bosancic. "Not only will these workers and their families lose their livelihoods, despite their many years of dedicated service, but the strong personal relationships that have been built between the residents, their families and the staff will be broken," she said. Workers at the 108-bed facility - most of them women - average more than 10 years of service, while several have been on-the-job for as many as 24 years. "By jumping on the Campbell government's privatization bandwagon, and throwing a decently paid workforce out on the street, the Salvation Army is running counter to its own mandate to help the poor and disadvantaged," said Bosancic. "It's time for Sally Ann officials to recognize the impact privatization will have on the lives and well being of Sunset Lodge residents and workers." She said private corporations typically pay low wages, which results in high staff turnover and lower quality of care. She also points out that contract workers will be directed and supervised by a private company, instead of the facility. -30- Contact: Mike Old, communications officer, 604-828-6771 (cell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Mon Jun 23 13:54:22 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 13:54:22 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Reveal details of hospital security contract in interest of public safety - HEU Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F491601908175@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 23, 2003 Reveal details of hospital security contract in interest of public safety - HEU More than 130 unionized staff to be fired but 70 per cent of their managers stay on payroll The Fraser Health Authority must make public the details of a five-year, $16.6 million contract awarded to Toronto-based multinational Intercon Security Ltd., says the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE). "Given the potential risks to patients and health care workers that come with contracting out hospital security, the public deserves to know the specifics of the deal and how this company will be held to account," says HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic. "It's not good enough for the health authority to issue assurances that all will be well without providing some tangible evidence of the standards and enforcement mechanisms contained in the contract," she adds. "What staffing levels and wages will be provided? What service levels have been agreed to, and at what cost? How will the FHA ensure that new privatized guards will be trained to deal with the unique protection needs of a hospital environment?" The health authority's entire unionized security service of more than 130 skilled and experienced staff will be laid off at nine hospitals. But 70 per cent of hospital security managers will keep their jobs in the interests of "managing the contract" resulting in more red tape and bureaucracy, warns Bosancic. HEU is also warning the FHA that an arm's length relationship with a private security contractor cannot shield it from liability for any failure to protect patients and health care workers. "Our recent brush with SARS and growing concerns about hospital security should have given the FHA reason to take a second look at the advisability of breaking up the health care team," says Bosancic. "Instead the FHA has chosen to feed this government's insatiable appetite for health care privatization." While Intercon Security has no background in health care in this province, the company is no stranger to the B.C. Employment Standards Branch. In 2001, an Employment Standards Tribunal fined the company $500 for its failure to keep proper employee records. The tribunal also referenced a four-page appendix with "dozens of complaint investigations and variance requests" in its reasons for levying the penalty. It's expected that all unionized security officers will be replaced by Intercon Security staff in the fall. -30- Contact Mike Old, communication officer, 604-828-6771 (cell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From Carol.Adams at bcgeu.ca Tue Jun 24 15:10:24 2003 From: Carol.Adams at bcgeu.ca (Adams, Carol) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 15:10:24 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Emergency program for troubled youth another victim of Campbell Liberal cuts Message-ID: <517DADDBB3EDAF44A2620DCB53689BD6CE58E1@exchange.bcgeu.bc.ca> Tuesday, June 24, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Emergency program for troubled youth another victim of Campbell Liberal cuts A Vancouver emergency residential program that assists troubled youth in reuniting with their families will be shutting its doors for good at the end of August due to the Campbell Liberal cuts, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) said today. "I'm shocked that the Campbell Liberals would even consider cutting the funding for Janus Centre, let alone shut it down," said George Heyman, BCGEU president. "For over 20 years, Janus Centre has provided emergency housing, care and counseling for 40 to 50 teenagers every year who would otherwise have ended up on the streets, in jail, or worse, dead. "This is a vital community program that unites kids with their families. And yet Janus Centre is shutting its doors for good, despite Premier Campbell's hollow promises prior to the election and just last month in the legislature that his government's first and foremost responsibility and obligation is to protect B.C.'s children," Heyman said. "This is yet another example of the haphazard and unplanned nature of the cuts to the Ministry of Children and Family Development." Heyman said, "If the government truly cared about children and families, it would allocate the resources necessary to ensure programs like Janus Centre are continued. Instead, the Campbell Liberals are sacrificing kids in order to meet their self-imposed budget targets, directly contradicting their promises prior to the last election." The 12 employees at Janus Centre include child and youth counselors, cook and custodial attendants. - 30 - Contact: Carol Adams, Communications, (604) 291-9611 From update at heu.org Tue Jun 24 15:27:36 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 15:27:36 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Health minister urged to make privatization contracts public Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F491601908575@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 24, 2003 Health minister urged to make privatization contracts public By forestalling inevitable release of contract details, Fraser Health Authority not acting in public interest - HEU B.C.'s health services minister Colin Hansen must force the Fraser Health Authority (FHA) to release details of contracts its signed with private security and laundry companies, says the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE). The call comes on the heels of FHA's refusal yesterday to make public the details of a contract it signed with Toronto-based multinational Intercon Security Ltd. Last month, in response to a union information request, the health authority also refused to release the contents of a controversial deal it struck with K-Bro Linen Systems, the multinational that's currently shipping dirty hospital laundry to Alberta. HEU says that given previous rulings under B.C.'s freedom of information laws, the health authority will be forced to release the information, eventually. But HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic says given the concerns that have been raised about the health and safety of patients and hospital workers, the public needs that information now - not a year from now. "Unfortunately, we expect the health authority to employ every stalling tactic it can to keep these details away from public scrutiny," says Bosancic. "It's now up to the minister to get the health authority to stop dragging its feet and provide British Columbians with the information that can help ensure an open, transparent and accountable process, " she says. In the meantime, HEU says it will continue to press for the information to be made public through freedom of information and privacy legislation. -30- Contact Patty Gibson, Communications Officer, (604) 328-7393 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From Carol.Adams at bcgeu.ca Tue Jun 24 15:52:30 2003 From: Carol.Adams at bcgeu.ca (Adams, Carol) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 15:52:30 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] BCGEU charges employers' association with unfair labour practice over refusal to bargain Message-ID: <517DADDBB3EDAF44A2620DCB53689BD6CE58E3@exchange.bcgeu.bc.ca> Tuesday, June 24, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Community social services sector BCGEU charges employers' association with unfair labour practice over refusal to bargain The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) today charged the Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA) with an unfair labour practice for refusing to bargain first collective agreements covering over 70 employees at five community social services agencies in Victoria, Kamloops and Kelowna. "I am angered that CSSEA would abandon these workers by refusing to commence, continue or conclude bargaining over a first collective agreement," said George Heyman, BCGEU president. "This is a violation of the labour code and an insult to the women and men who provide services to society's most vulnerable citizens, including children." Heyman said the union and employer are in the midst of bargaining on behalf of workers at the Capital Families Association and Esquimalt Neighbourhood House in Victoria, and Kelowna Child Care Society. The union has already served notice to bargain with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria and the John Howard Society in Kamloops. "Bargaining at the Kelowna Child Care Society is in its final stages. Agreement has been reached on non-monetary issues and the employer was supposed to be taking the union's monetary package to the board of directors for consideration. Now, CSSEA has yanked its people from the table. Without a collective agreement, workers are left vulnerable and with little protection. It's appalling and clearly intended to discourage workers from joining or remaining in a union." Heyman dismissed CSSEA's position that the union no longer has legal authority to bargain on behalf of these members in light of Bill 61, which establishes a bargaining association of all unions in the sector. The BCGEU has asked the Labour Relations Board (LRB) to declare the union can continue to bargain for its members until it approves the articles of association mandated by Bill 61. "We are asking the LRB to order CSSEA to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith so that these workers can achieve the rights and protections they are entitled to by a collective agreement," Heyman said. - 30 - Contact: Carol Adams, Communications, (604) 291-9611 opeiu 378 From update at heu.org Tue Jun 24 16:41:01 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 16:41:01 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Sally Ann rejects union plan to keep skilled experienced workers at Esquimalt care home Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F491601908975@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 24, 2003 Sally Ann rejects union plan to keep skilled, experienced workers at Esquimalt care home Fired workers to leaflet family meeting at Sunset Lodge, Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. The Salvation Army has rejected an overture from fired workers at a Victoria long-term care facility it operates that would help balance the books, says the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE). At a meeting held Monday, the aid organization's representatives at Esquimalt's Sunset Lodge shot down a request that it rescind the layoff notices while the union prepares an offer that would assist the facility in meeting its budget targets, and is also refusing to provide the union with the financial data it's using to estimate its wage costs. The Sally Ann has also rejected a proposal by HEU that managers share the burden of budget cuts at the facility where more than 60 nurses, care aides, dietary staff, housekeepers and clerical staff have been laid off effective August 9. "There are solutions to the financial situation facing Sunset Lodge," says HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic. "But instead of discussing these with the union, the Sally Ann is going to plank walk more than 60 workers - most of them women - into unemployment and poverty. "But the big losers will be the more than 100 seniors who call Sunset Lodge home," adds Bosancic. "They'll be losing a part of their family - the skilled staff who for the most part have worked at the facility for more than a decade." Workers at the facility have been raising awareness in the community about the Salvation Army's actions at Sunset Lodge and will be leafleting family members who will be attending a Tuesday evening meeting at 6:15 p.m. The Lodge is located at 952 Arm Street in Esquimalt. -30- Contact: Mike Old, communications officer, 604-828-6771 (cell) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Wed Jun 25 11:23:11 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 11:23:11 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Campbell deputy sideswipped as Victoria's P3 agency slams hospital construction Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160192F227@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 25, 2003 Campbell deputy sideswiped as Victoria's P3 agency slams hospital construction In a bid to promote the cost efficiency of public-private partnerships, the Campbell government agency responsible for such arrangements has implicated the Premier's deputy minister Brenda Eaton by making a questionable claim of a huge public hospital construction cost overrun in Victoria. Examples of such overspending cited in a lengthy Vancouver Sun article are based on Partnerships BC claims that the last two major health care capital projects in B.C. were grossly over budget - by as much as 47 per cent in the case of Royal Jubilee Hospital's new Diagnostic and Treatment building. But evidence gathered by the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE) shows that Partnerships BC's claims of public overspending are inaccurate. And by targeting the Royal Jubilee project, the government agency has directly implicated Eaton. As vice-president, operations and support for the old Capital Health Region for four years prior to her current post as a senior advisor to the Premier, Eaton's responsibilities for strategic planning, resource allocation and finance included a key role in the Diagnostic and Treatment building project. Under her watch, project costs rose from $92 million to $123 million. But the Vancouver Island Health Authority says the higher costs resulted from legitimate factors such as soil contamination and utility problems in the site preparation stage, and the expansion of the project scope to include added services not contained in the original plans. Each increase in costs was properly approved, VIHA says. The second example - the Kitimat Hospital and Health Centre - was 43 per cent over budget according to Partnerships BC. But the Northern Health Authority says the construction certificate signed off by the province pegged project costs at about $38 million. In fact, says the NHA, the project was under budget. "In their zeal to justify the sizable financial risks associated with controversial P3 projects like the Abbotsford private hospital, Partnerships BC has grossly misrepresented the costs associated with publicly financed and managed hospital projects," says HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic. "They've also taken an unfair shot at local health authorities who by all indications did a good job in managing these projects and proved that the public sector can come in on budget," she says. -30- Contact: Mike Old, HEU communications officer 604-828-6771 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From SHoward at heu.org Wed Jun 25 13:56:49 2003 From: SHoward at heu.org (Stephen Howard) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 13:56:49 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F4916FEEEAA@mx1.heu.org> Yes. Good idea. My schedule is pretty open for the week. sh -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 11:04 AM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO Hi everyone. I just wanted to follow up from our labourstart campaign around the BC government violating international law. CIEA will be donating $300 to Labourstart in recognition of their important contribution to our campaign. I am not sure if others have made a donation, but I am encouraging other unions to do so if possible. I would also like to see if we can arrange a meeting of interested communicators to talk about next steps around the ILO campaign. I know that Eric lee of Labourstart has suggested we need to kick it up a notch and we probably need to get together on this. CIEA would be happy to host a meeting of interested communicators on this issue. The week of June 30th might work if people are interested. Let me know. Roseanne. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From amoses at bcnu.org Wed Jun 25 14:52:29 2003 From: amoses at bcnu.org (Art Moses) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 14:52:29 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO In-Reply-To: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F4916FEEEAA@mx1.heu.org> Message-ID: <007c01c33b64$12cf26c0$b6ae22cf@amoses01> I'm available July 4 or 5, not the 30th or 3rd Art -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net] On Behalf Of Stephen Howard Sent: June 25, 2003 1:57 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO Yes. Good idea. My schedule is pretty open for the week. sh -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 11:04 AM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO Hi everyone. I just wanted to follow up from our labourstart campaign around the BC government violating international law. CIEA will be donating $300 to Labourstart in recognition of their important contribution to our campaign. I am not sure if others have made a donation, but I am encouraging other unions to do so if possible. I would also like to see if we can arrange a meeting of interested communicators to talk about next steps around the ILO campaign. I know that Eric lee of Labourstart has suggested we need to kick it up a notch and we probably need to get together on this. CIEA would be happy to host a meeting of interested communicators on this issue. The week of June 30th might work if people are interested. Let me know. Roseanne. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From RMoran at ciea.bc.ca Wed Jun 25 15:45:53 2003 From: RMoran at ciea.bc.ca (Roseanne Moran) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 15:45:53 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA Message-ID: <4119EC095B2CFE4E80731B5776F102820B05E3@dc01.ciea.corp> Hi everyone. I have heard back from some of you and it seems that there is an appetite for a meeting to talk about some next steps in the ILO campaign that we did through Labourstart. Why not the day after the Olympic decision? I am suggesting that we meet at the CIEA office on Thursday July 3 at 2:30 pm. I am going to assume that Art Moses, Ron Verzuh and Stephen Howard can definitely make it, having heard from them. I know that Nancy Knickerbocker cannot, but her and I can talk before then. Please let me know who else can make it. I look forward to hearing from you. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From Mary.Rowles at bcgeu.ca Wed Jun 25 15:49:23 2003 From: Mary.Rowles at bcgeu.ca (Rowles, Mary) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 15:49:23 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA Message-ID: <517DADDBB3EDAF44A2620DCB53689BD6BDBE28@exchange.bcgeu.bc.ca> Not sure what my schedule is , but will attend if I'm in town. You know that Clancy has done a followup letter on this at the national level, asking Bradshaw to ask for a study group to visit -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: June 25, 2003 3:46 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA Hi everyone. I have heard back from some of you and it seems that there is an appetite for a meeting to talk about some next steps in the ILO campaign that we did through Labourstart. Why not the day after the Olympic decision? I am suggesting that we meet at the CIEA office on Thursday July 3 at 2:30 pm. I am going to assume that Art Moses, Ron Verzuh and Stephen Howard can definitely make it, having heard from them. I know that Nancy Knickerbocker cannot, but her and I can talk before then. Please let me know who else can make it. I look forward to hearing from you. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From amoses at bcnu.org Wed Jun 25 16:05:30 2003 From: amoses at bcnu.org (Art Moses) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 16:05:30 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA In-Reply-To: <4119EC095B2CFE4E80731B5776F102820B05E3@dc01.ciea.corp> Message-ID: <000e01c33b6e$461ddf30$b6ae22cf@amoses01> Hi Anne FYI re this meeting July 3 to plan further action around the ILO decision. I hope to attend, along with the other labour communicators. -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net] On Behalf Of Roseanne Moran Sent: June 25, 2003 3:46 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA Hi everyone. I have heard back from some of you and it seems that there is an appetite for a meeting to talk about some next steps in the ILO campaign that we did through Labourstart. Why not the day after the Olympic decision? I am suggesting that we meet at the CIEA office on Thursday July 3 at 2:30 pm. I am going to assume that Art Moses, Ron Verzuh and Stephen Howard can definitely make it, having heard from them. I know that Nancy Knickerbocker cannot, but her and I can talk before then. Please let me know who else can make it. I look forward to hearing from you. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From update at heu.org Wed Jun 25 16:25:24 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 16:25:24 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU News Release: Public concerned about impact of contracting out on B.C. seniors - poll Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160192F623@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net News Releases June 25, 2003 Public concerned about impact of contracting out on B.C. seniors - poll 71 per cent think contracting out care staff will have negative impact on seniors, 58 per cent oppose privatizing support services, and 65 per cent side with health workers in dispute with Victoria More than 70 per cent of British Columbians believe that contracting out nursing and personal care in long-term care facilities will have a negative impact on seniors' care, according to polling numbers commissioned by the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE). In recent weeks, at least four taxpayer funded long-term care facilities in the Lower Mainland and in the Capital Region have given layoff notices to care aides and nurses in preparation for contracting out the work to private nursing agencies. But according to the Mustel Group telephone poll - conducted earlier this month - only 11 per cent of the B.C. public think such actions will have a positive impact on seniors' care. And opposition to the privatization of hospital support services continues to be significant at 58 per cent, up from 56 per cent in April and 18 points higher than in June, 2002. Support for privatization of support services like housekeeping, laundry and food services is at 34 per cent, unchanged from April and down 11 points since June, 2002. "The public remains skeptical of government's privatization policies in health care," says HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic. "And it's little wonder, given the tendency of Victoria and its health authorities to hatch their plans behind closed doors, without seeking public input." The poll also indicates that in the ongoing dispute between health care workers and the provincial government over health privatization, 65 per cent of the public sides with the workers (up from 64 per cent in April) including 38 per cent of B.C. Liberal supporters. The telephone survey of 503 British Columbians was carried out June 5-12 and is considered accurate to within 4.4 per cent, 19 times out of 20. To view the contents of the poll attached to this release, go to http://www.heu.org/ and select the top item on the yellow sidebar on the right. The table is formatted at the end of the release. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From ps at smartt.com Wed Jun 25 16:03:48 2003 From: ps at smartt.com (Stromberg) Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 16:03:48 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA In-Reply-To: <000e01c33b6e$461ddf30$b6ae22cf@amoses01> Message-ID: <001401c33b6e$0a85fb60$0801a8c0@paula> Paula Stromberg OPEIU can't make it July 2, 3 -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net]On Behalf Of Art Moses Sent: June 25, 2003 4:06 PM To: 'A private discussion list for labour communications.' Subject: RE: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA Hi Anne FYI re this meeting July 3 to plan further action around the ILO decision. I hope to attend, along with the other labour communicators. -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net] On Behalf Of Roseanne Moran Sent: June 25, 2003 3:46 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA Hi everyone. I have heard back from some of you and it seems that there is an appetite for a meeting to talk about some next steps in the ILO campaign that we did through Labourstart. Why not the day after the Olympic decision? I am suggesting that we meet at the CIEA office on Thursday July 3 at 2:30 pm. I am going to assume that Art Moses, Ron Verzuh and Stephen Howard can definitely make it, having heard from them. I know that Nancy Knickerbocker cannot, but her and I can talk before then. Please let me know who else can make it. I look forward to hearing from you. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kcooling at cepwesternregion.ca Thu Jun 26 11:49:03 2003 From: kcooling at cepwesternregion.ca (Karen Cooling) Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 11:49:03 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA In-Reply-To: <4119EC095B2CFE4E80731B5776F102820B05E3@dc01.ciea.corp> Message-ID: <005b01c33c13$9dceb240$8e7335d1@cepwesternregion.ca> I'm sorry Roseanne, but I am not available in July at all. Karen -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net] On Behalf Of Roseanne Moran Sent: June 25, 2003 3:46 PM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] July 3 ILO follow up at CIEA Hi everyone. I have heard back from some of you and it seems that there is an appetite for a meeting to talk about some next steps in the ILO campaign that we did through Labourstart. Why not the day after the Olympic decision? I am suggesting that we meet at the CIEA office on Thursday July 3 at 2:30 pm. I am going to assume that Art Moses, Ron Verzuh and Stephen Howard can definitely make it, having heard from them. I know that Nancy Knickerbocker cannot, but her and I can talk before then. Please let me know who else can make it. I look forward to hearing from you. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From update at heu.org Thu Jun 26 14:04:16 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 14:04:16 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] BCHC News Release: B.C. penalized by federal government for Canada Health Act violations Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160192FA1D@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net BC HEALTH COALITION NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 26, 2003 B.C. penalized by federal government for Canada Health Act violations The B.C. Health Coalition is calling for an immediate investigation of private surgical clinic billing practices after learning the B.C. government was penalized by the federal government for two separate violations of the Canada Health Act in March. And while the fine will likely have a small impact on the provincial treasury, health coalition coordinator Terrie Hendrickson says the news has huge implications for B.C. patients and predicts that these violations represent just the tip of the iceberg. "Under this government's nose, patients are being charged by private companies for publicly insured health services," says Hendrickson. "And by tolerating this practice, our government is putting us on a fast track to two-tier health care. "Our health services minister insists that it can privatize thousands of surgical procedures without violating the Canada Health Act," adds Hendrickson. "But even now, it's clear that the province is unable or unwilling to police private clinics." Just last week, in response to allegations in the press that a now defunct private cataract clinic in North Vancouver had allowed queue jumping, health services minister Colin Hansen said he needed a patient to come forward. "It's not acceptable for the provincial government to sit back and wait for complaints to come in," says Hendrickson. "We need Victoria and its health authorities to proactively monitor private clinics and enforce the law. "Without such action, the health services minister is just paying lip service to the principles of medicare." Hendrickson says Hansen must take immediate steps to investigate the billing practices of private clinics. And the health coalition also wants Hansen to release details of these medicare violations and ban the private clinics involved from bidding on any surgical contracts from public bodies including health authorities, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and the Workers' Compensation Board. The group is also calling for an immediate moratorium on health privatization. -30- Contact: Terrie Hendrickson, coordinator, 604-681-7945 (o) or 604-816-7581 (c) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From sross at bcnu.org Thu Jun 26 14:44:09 2003 From: sross at bcnu.org (Shirley Ross) Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 14:44:09 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO In-Reply-To: <007c01c33b64$12cf26c0$b6ae22cf@amoses01> Message-ID: <000701c33c2c$133a20b0$b5ae22cf@sross01> Hi Art Just to let you know that I already get most of the emails you are sending Thanks Shirley -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net] On Behalf Of Art Moses Sent: June 25, 2003 2:52 PM To: 'A private discussion list for labour communications.' Subject: RE: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO I'm available July 4 or 5, not the 30th or 3rd Art -----Original Message----- From: labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net [mailto:labcomm-bounces at bcfed.net] On Behalf Of Stephen Howard Sent: June 25, 2003 1:57 PM To: A private discussion list for labour communications. Subject: RE: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO Yes. Good idea. My schedule is pretty open for the week. sh -----Original Message----- From: Roseanne Moran [mailto:RMoran at ciea.bc.ca] Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 11:04 AM To: LabComm at bcfed.net Subject: [LabComm] labourstart donation & campaign on ILO Hi everyone. I just wanted to follow up from our labourstart campaign around the BC government violating international law. CIEA will be donating $300 to Labourstart in recognition of their important contribution to our campaign. I am not sure if others have made a donation, but I am encouraging other unions to do so if possible. I would also like to see if we can arrange a meeting of interested communicators to talk about next steps around the ILO campaign. I know that Eric lee of Labourstart has suggested we need to kick it up a notch and we probably need to get together on this. CIEA would be happy to host a meeting of interested communicators on this issue. The week of June 30th might work if people are interested. Let me know. Roseanne. Roseanne Moran, CIEA Communications & Policy CIEA's new address is 400-550 W.6th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 1A1 Phone 604 873-8988 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From update at heu.org Thu Jun 26 16:42:24 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 16:42:24 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU Newsletter: Across-the-board layoffs at Saint Mary's signal the end of cherished hospital Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F49160192FE17@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net Newsletters June 26, 2003 Across-the-board layoffs at Saint Mary's signal the end of cherished hospital New Westminster's 116-year old acute medical care facility downgraded to outpatient and day surgery centre More than 40 HEU members received layoff notices this week as health support services and direct patient care workers in almost every area of Saint Mary's Hospital were handed pink slips. The across-the-board layoffs hit operating rooms, the Geriatric Assessment and Treatment Clinic (GATC), rehab services, admissions, central processing, security, food services, housekeeping, pharmacy, and nursing, activation and respiratory units. At the same time, Saint Mary's Chief Executive Officer, Larry Odegard, announced significant service and program cuts to be fully implemented by mid-October including an end to surgeries requiring overnight stays, a reduction in palliative care and the elimination of surgical procedures for fractured hips and jaws, urological conditions and ear/nose/throat. HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic said that HEU members at Saint Mary's are deeply concerned about the job losses, their futures and the effective closure of yet another acute care facility in B.C. "The layoffs and service and programs cuts signal the end of Saint Mary's as a viable acute care hospital serving New Westminster, something that we were concerned about when the "purchaser-provider agreement" was announced in April," said Bosancic. "Now it appears that the new business plan has not only compromised SMH's role as an acute medical care facility but is also paving the way for the introduction of privatized health services. "Quite simply, this is another example of how Premier Campbell's new era of deep health care cuts has harmed one more community in B.C.," Bosancic said. A total of 84 layoff notices have been issued to members of HEU, the BC Nurses' Union and the Health Sciences Association with more expected before the end of the summer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From update at heu.org Fri Jun 27 11:29:31 2003 From: update at heu.org (update) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2003 11:29:31 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] HEU Newsletter: Sexual harassment by Aramark manager spotlights perils of contracting out Message-ID: <939F74432D62C94F8F4795A0A09F491601930211@mx1.heu.org> labcomm at bcfed.net Newsletters June 27, 2003 Sexual harassment by Aramark manager spotlights perils of contracting out Recently, at Saint Mary's Hospital in New Westminster, several food service workers directly employed by the facility were sexually harassed by the department manager. In order to remedy the situation, the workers did all the right things. They confronted the manager, reported the incident to hospital management and participated in an investigation. Hospital administrators responded, as one would expect - quickly, professionally and with compassion for the victims. The manager was asked to leave the worksite and evidence was seized. The affected workers were taken seriously, counselled, interviewed and generally supported. Unfortunately, the hospital was not able to deal with the manager directly. That's because the manager in question is not a hospital worker but rather an employee of Aramark Canada, the multi-national corporation that holds the contract for the management of food services at Saint Mary's. SMH administrators have no jurisdiction over Aramark employees. And therein lies one of the biggest problems with private contractors - they, not health facility managers, direct their employees, and that includes discipline. Sexual harassment is a serious occupational health and safety issue. It needs to be addressed appropriately and in a timely manner. Senior managers must ensure that all workers throughout an organization, and in particular victimized staff, know that the situation has been satisfactorily resolved. These matters are not entirely up to Saint Mary's because, although Aramark has told hospital administrators that the manager will not be returning to the facility, the company is under no obligation to tell SMH how it's handled the situation. And consider this - Aramark has other contracts, some with other health facilities. There's nothing to prevent the company from putting another group of workers at risk by re-deploying that manager to a different worksite. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line. Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message. All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union. From Carol.Adams at bcgeu.ca Fri Jun 27 12:13:23 2003 From: Carol.Adams at bcgeu.ca (Adams, Carol) Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2003 12:13:23 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] How did 500 Nelson families spend their summer vacation? Trying to find decent child care for their kids. Message-ID: <517DADDBB3EDAF44A2620DCB53689BD6CE58F9@exchange.bcgeu.bc.ca> Friday, June 27, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE How did 500 Nelson families spend their summer vacation? Trying to find decent child care for their kids. While the Campbell Liberals are preparing for their summer holidays, 500 Nelson families are scrambling to find alternate child care because government funding cuts have forced the closure of several local child care centres. Care 2 Learn, Childcare Connections Daycare, The Gordon Sargent School Age Program, South Nelson School Age Program, and Brent Kennedy Children's Centre in Slocan close their doors for good today. Chestnut Hollow child care in Nelson closed in March. "Nelson parents now have very few options. If they're lucky, they can leave their kids with family members or neighbours. They can take a gamble on an unlicensed caregiver - one who doesn't necessarily have the qualifications of an early childhood educator or has undergone a criminal record check. Or, if they can afford it - and most working families can't - they can quit work," said George Heyman, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU). "It's the children who will miss out the most. They won't get the learning skills taught by early childhood educators. They won't have the social interaction with other children, which studies have shown are so important to their development into adulthood," Heyman said. "Clearly, the Campbell Liberals don't care one bit about working families. They are determined to meet their self-imposed budget targets and the hell with the disruption and turmoil they're leaving behind." Heyman reacted angrily to recent comments by Nelson-Creston MLA Blair Suffredine in the local paper blaming child care workers for the closures. "Blair Suffredine is arrogant and out of touch with his constituents," Heyman said. "He's making child care workers the scapegoats for his government's deliberate attempt to turn back the clock on child care in our communities. The Campbell Liberals have cut funding by 40 percent, eliminated before and after school care, cut subsidies to lower income families, and forced centres to raise fees, lay off staff, or close their doors altogether. And to add insult to injury, Suffredine and his Liberals are refusing to pay workers their negotiated wage rates. "Suffredine should do the right thing and speak out for the 500 families in Nelson who are losing their child care and for the dedicated workers who take care of the kids. They're his constituents, and they deserve to have an MLA who will fight to protect their interests. Not someone who simply stands by while his own community suffers." - 30 - Contact: Carol Adams, Burnaby, (604) 291-9611 opeiu 378 From Anita.Miotto at bcgeu.ca Tue Jun 24 14:56:55 2003 From: Anita.Miotto at bcgeu.ca (Miotto, Anita) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 14:56:55 -0700 Subject: [LabComm] Emergency program for troubled youth another victim of Campbell Liberal cuts Message-ID: <517DADDBB3EDAF44A2620DCB53689BD68DE717@exchange.bcgeu.bc.ca> Tuesday, June 24, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Emergency program for troubled youth another victim of Campbell Liberal cuts A Vancouver emergency residential program that assists troubled youth in reuniting with their families will be shutting its doors for good at the end of August due to the Campbell Liberal cuts, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) said today. "I'm shocked that the Campbell Liberals would even consider cutting the funding for Janus Centre, let alone shut it down," said George Heyman, BCGEU president. "For over 20 years, Janus Centre has provided emergency housing, care and counseling for 40 to 50 teenagers every year who would otherwise have ended up on the streets, in jail, or worse, dead. "This is a vital community program that unites kids with their families. And yet Janus Centre is shutting its doors for good, despite Premier Campbell's hollow promises prior to the election and just last month in the legislature that his government's first and foremost responsibility and obligation is to protect B.C.'s children," Heyman said. "This is yet another example of the haphazard and unplanned nature of the cuts to the Ministry of Children and Family Development." Heyman said, "If the government truly cared about children and families, it would allocate the resources necessary to ensure programs like Janus Centre are continued. Instead, the Campbell Liberals are sacrificing kids in order to meet their self-imposed budget targets, directly contradicting their promises prior to the last election." The 12 employees at Janus Centre include child and youth counselors, cook and custodial attendants. - 30 - Contact: Carol Adams, Communications, (604) 291-9611 opeiu 378 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: