41st annual convention booklet 2013
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2013 ANNUAL CONVENTION
October 24 & 25, 2013
Regina, Sk.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
2013 Annual Convention Agenda 3
Message from the President 4
Members Forum 5
Annual General Meeting Agenda 6
Meeting Procedures 7
Constitution and Bylaws Reference Articles 8
2012 Annual General Meeting Minutes 12
President’s Annual Report 20
Membership Statistics 22
Executive Director’s Report 24
Market Supplement Report 27
Annual Convention Committee Report 29
Communications Committee Report 30
Constitutional Committee Report 31
Finance Committee Report 32
Grievance Committee Report 37
Negotiating Committee Report 38
Regional Council Development Committee Report 40
Resolutions 41
2012 – 2013 Executive Council Members 42
Dr. Timothy Christie – “Ethcis in Health Care” 44
Labour Relations Officers “A Day in the Life – What do they do and how can they help me?” 45
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2013 ANNUAL CONVENTION AGENDA
October 24, 2013
10:30 am Open Registration for Delegates, Non-‐Delegates and Staff *Lunch on your own
1:00 pm Convention Program Begins
1:00 pm –3:15 pm
3:30 pm—5:30pm
Members’ Forum
Proposed Constitution and By-‐Laws Q&A
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Members’ Social
October 25, 2013
8:00 am – 8:45 am Breakfast
8:45 am – 11:45 am Annual General Meeting
11:45 am – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Dr. Timothy Christie “Ethics in Health Care”
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Labour Relations Officers “A Day in the Life/What Do They Do and How Can They Help Me?”
3:00 pm Adjournment
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings Fellow HSAS Members!
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Convention 2013 -‐ the 41st Annual Convention of HSAS.
We should be proud of the accomplishments of the past year. With diligence, a great deal of work was undertaken by our staff, Executive Council and Committee members. Take time to review the reports contained within this Convention booklet and the activities of your Union this past year.
I encourage you all to participate at this Convention fully and with pride!
Kind Regards,
Karen Wasylenko President
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MEMBERS’ FORUM
The Members’ Forum is an opportunity for delegates to discuss issues which are important to them and the members they work with.
At member meetings throughout the province in the past year, many common topics were identified as issues in the members' workplaces. Through a survey sent in early October, delegates chose the following topics to be discussed at the forum.
• Market Supplement • Staffing Levels • Vacancy Management
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGENDA
October 25, 2013
8:45 am – 11:45 am
Delta Regina – Regina, Saskatchewan
1. Call to Order and Introductory Remarks 2. Credentials Report 3. Appointment of Scrutineers 4. Meeting Procedures 5. Adoption of Agenda 6. Adoption of the November 2, 2012 Annual General Meeting Minutes 7. President’s Annual Report 8. Executive Director’s Annual Report 9. Finance -‐ Presentation of Audited Financial Statements
-‐ Appointment of Auditor for 2013-‐2014 fiscal year 10. Committee Reports (Written Reports)
a. Annual Convention b. Communications c. Constitutional d. Finance – Awards, Charitable Donations, Professional Contributions, Education Fund,
Emergency Fund, Scholarships e. Grievance f. Negotiating g. Regional Council Development
11. Resolutions a. Resolution 1: That the existing Constitution and By-‐laws of the Health Sciences Association of
Saskatchewan, last amended on October 28, 2011, be repealed and replaced with the Constitution and Bylaws attached to this resolution as Schedule A.
12. Executive Council Seat Elections Results 13. Roberta Ekberg Award 14. Adjournment
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MEETING PROCEDURES
General Rules
1. Once recognized by the Chair, members wishing to speak shall state their name and Health Region. 2. Debate or comments shall be limited to two minutes for each speaker. A speaker shall not speak
more than once on the same question unless everyone who wishes to has spoken. No member may speak more than two times on any one motion.
3. Only one speaker speaks a time. 4. Debate is limited to the motion. 5. No person shall interrupt a speaker, except to make a point of order. At the request of the Chair, a
speaker shall be seated until a point of order is decided. 6. All comments shall be directed to the Chair. No comments should be directed to or at another
member. 7. Side conversations are discouraged as it can be distracting to other members. 8. All votes require a simple majority, except in special circumstances or outlined in the
By-‐laws. Here are some special circumstances where 2/3 majority is required: a. To amend the By-‐laws b. To close debate when it appears some people still want to debate.
Motions
1. A motion is not debatable until a motion has been made, seconded and restated by the Chair. 2. The maker of the motion has the right to be the first speaker on the motion if he chooses. 3. The maker of the motion is prohibited from speaking against the motion. 4. For the AGM, a resolution cannot be postponed beyond this AGM.
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CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS REFERENCE ARTICLES
ARTICLE 3 -‐ MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Article 3.1-‐ Annual Convention The Annual Convention of the Association shall be held within ten (10) weeks of the fiscal year-‐end of the Association in each year. Article 3.3-‐ Notice of Meeting
Notice of the time and place of a meeting of Members shall be sent not less than 15 calendar days before the meeting in the manner provided in Article 13 hereof. The notice shall specify the nature of the matters and the resolutions to be presented to the meeting.
Article 3.4-‐ Delegate Status, Attendance and Voting (a) For the purposes of these By-‐laws, the term “delegate” shall refer to a delegate duly elected or deemed to be elected as such in accordance with these By-‐laws and, if any duly elected delegate is not available to act as a delegate in accordance with these By-‐laws, the term “delegate” shall include the first available alternate duly elected as such in accordance with these By-‐laws, unless the context requires otherwise. (b) All Members may attend all meetings of Members, however, only delegates shall be entitled to vote on matters at such meetings. Each delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote. (c) Each member of the Executive Council is an automatic delegate. (d) Each Health Region with up to and including 100 active Members shall be entitled to elect one (1) delegate to attend and vote at meetings of Members. Each Health Region with more than 100 active Members shall be entitled to one (1) additional delegate for each additional 100 active Members or portion thereof. (e) All active Members who form a part of a Health Region are entitled to be elected as a delegate for such Health Region. (f) All elected delegates shall attend the meeting for which they have been elected as a delegate, shall act in the best interests of the Association and shall report back to such Health Region, on the significant results of such meeting. (g) The Executive Council shall cause the Executive Director or her designate to provide sufficient notice to the members within each Health Region of the candidates for delegates for such region prior to the meeting for which such delegates are to attend to allow the members of such region to vote for such delegates. Voting for delegates shall be by mail-‐in ballot, as contemplated in these By-‐laws. Any nominee(s) not elected as a delegate shall stand as an alternate in order of the greatest number of votes received.
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Article 3.5-‐ Quorum Requirements A quorum for any meeting of Members shall be constituted only if fifty one (51%) percent of the delegates for such meeting are present. If a quorum is not present at the time and place fixed for the meeting in the notice thereof, the meeting shall, without further action, stand adjourned. A meeting shall be deemed to be adjourned whenever a quorum is not present, whether a quorum was present at the start of the meeting or not. No formal business may be attended to in the absence of a quorum. Article 3.6-‐ Chair of Meeting
The President, or in her absence, the Vice-‐President, in both of their absences, the President’s designate, shall preside as Chair of every meeting of the Members. If there is no Chair, or if at any meeting she is not present within thirty (30) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is unwilling to act as Chair, the members of the Executive Committee present will endorse someone of their number to be Chair of the meeting. Article 3.7 – Resolutions (a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c) hereof, all resolutions to be presented to a meeting of the Members must be received by the Secretary of the Association at least sixty-‐five (65) days before the meeting or they will not be considered at the meeting. Resolutions for consideration at a meeting may be submitted by the Executive Council, the Board of Governors or a group of not less than ten (10) active Members of the Association. The Secretary shall present all resolutions to be considered at a meeting of the Members to Executive Council before inserting such resolutions into the notice of meeting.
The notice of the meeting shall specify Executive Council’s support or lack of support for such resolution and the reasons for such support or lack of support. (b) A resolution may be submitted from the floor of the meeting if it arises from circumstances that prevented the resolution from being submitted in the normal manner and it is submitted immediately prior to the commencement of the meeting to the Chair of the meeting. The Chair shall forward such resolution to the Executive Committee members present at such meeting. Such members shall determine if there were sufficient circumstances that prevented such resolution from being submitted in the normal manner. The decision of such members shall be final and conclusive as to whether the resolution may be submitted from the floor of the meeting. (c) A resolution dealing with constitutional and/or By-‐law changes, as contemplated by Article 18 hereof, or budgetary matters, as contemplated by Section 15.2 hereof, may not be submitted from the floor of the meeting. Such matters must be submitted in the manner contemplated in these By-‐laws.
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ARTICLE 15 -‐ FINANCIAL AFFAIRS Article 15.1-‐ Accounts and Records The Executive Council shall cause to be kept the proper records and accounts of all transactions of the Association. Article 15.2-‐ Budget At the first Executive Council meeting of the new fiscal year, the Finance Committee shall submit to Executive Council, a proposed budget of the Association for approval. The approved budget shall be ratified by the Board of Governors by a simple majority. All special appropriations exceeding the provisions of the annual budget shall be submitted to the Executive Council for approval and ratified by the Board of Governors by a simple majority. Whenever the annual budget and special appropriations are not ratified by the Board of Governors, then a joint meeting of the Executive Council and the Board of Governors shall be held to resolve the matters before them and, failing any agreement being reached, then the matters shall be placed before the Members of the Association at a special meeting or the Annual Convention, whichever shall come first. Article 15.3-‐ Financial Statements
(a) The Executive Council shall, by a simple majority, approve the quarterly unaudited and annual audited financial statements of the Association.
ARTICLE 18 -‐ CONSTITUTIONAL AND BY-‐LAW AMENDMENTS
(a) All proposed Constitutional and/or By-‐law resolutions shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Association in accordance with Section 3.7(a). Such proposed resolution shall be presented to the next meeting of the Executive Council.
(b) All Constitutional and/or By-‐law resolutions passed by two-‐thirds (2/3) of the Executive Council shall be ratified by the Board of Governors by a simple majority and, subject to compliance with Section 3.7 hereof, shall be submitted to the Members of the Association at the next Annual Convention of Members. The delegates at such Annual Convention may, by two-‐thirds (2/3) majority, confirm or reject the resolution, with or without minor variations. Where the delegates propose to confirm or reject the proposed resolution with a substantive variation, such resolution shall, firstly, be referred back to the Executive Council, for their approval, and the Board of Governors, for ratification, in accordance with the foregoing prior to being re-‐submitted to the Members at the next Annual Convention in compliance with Section 3.7 hereof. The delegates at such Annual Convention may, by two-‐thirds (2/3) majority, confirm or reject the revised resolution, with or without minor variations or confirm or reject the proposed revised resolution with a substantive variation in accordance with the above.
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(c) Whenever a Constitutional and/or By-‐law resolution is not ratified by the Board of Governors, such resolution shall be considered by the Executive Council and Board of Governors at a joint meeting; and failing any agreement being reached, the resolution shall be referred to the Members of the Association at the next Annual Convention. The delegates at such Annual Convention may, by two-‐thirds (2/3) majority, accept or reject the resolution in accordance with paragraph 18(b) hereof. The submission of any resolutions to the Members of the Association shall indicate whether such resolution has been ratified by the Board of Governors.
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2012 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 2, 2012 SASKATOON, SK
Delegates Present:
Marion Blain Prairie North Health Region Scott Boucher Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Glenda Brown Saskatoon Health Region Laura Carney Saskatoon Health Region Debra Clark Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Mary Deren Sun Country Health Region Cathy Dickson Prince Albert Parkland Health Region Bonnie Dobranski Executive Council Heather Drozd Saskatoon Health Region Glenda Erickson Sunrise Health Region Tracy Erickson Sunrise Health Region Bill Feldbruegge Saskatoon Health Region Bill Fischer Executive Council Peggy Forsberg Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Sherren Gillott Saskatoon Health Region Dea Graessli Five Hills Health Region Deborah Gullickson Prairie North Health Region Sandra Harlick Cypress Health Region Natalie Horejda Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Sheila Kerr Executive Council Karen Kinar Executive Council Karen Knippshild Cypress Health Region Megan Koskie Keewatin Yatthé Health Region Kade Martin Kelsey Trail Health Region Christie Matechuk Executive Council Angie McConnell Saskatoon Health Region Brad Mee Prairie North Health Region Deb Morton Saskatoon Health Region Dianne Nielsen Prince Albert Parkland Health Region Terry Nordgulen Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Cynthia Ostafie Saskatoon Health Region Judith Painter Prince Albert Parkland Health Region Patricia Pedersen Executive Council Trevor Persaud Executive Council Dawn Phillips Saskatoon Health Region John Prince Heartland Health Region Crystal Springer Saskatoon Health Region Marie Stimson Executive Council
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Anne Robins Executive Council Anil Sarkar Saskatoon Health Region Marcel Shevalier Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Colleen Vallee Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Karen Wasylenko Executive Council Rod Watson Sun Country Health Region Lana Wilkinson Executive Council Ruth Wong Five Hills Health Region Bonnie Yake Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Karen Zemlak Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Delegates Regrets: Ralph Aman Executive Council Ann Farn Executive Council Elizabeth Ivanochko Executive Council Jenny Keller Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Valerie Stopanski Executive Council Staff Present: Bill Craik, Executive Director Garnet Dishaw, Labour Relations Officer Russ Dixon, Labour Relations Officer Kevin Glass, Labour Relations Officer Mario Kijkowski, Labour Relations Officer Kate Robinson, Labour Relations Officer Chelsea Leonew, Administrative Assistant Diane Wright, Administrative Assistant Guests Present: Gail Beggs-‐Lariviere Maureen Kraemer Sheryn Peterson Donna Torrens Erin Yeates Jacquie Griffiths
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Forty eight (48) voting delegates were present. Quorum of 25 established as per Article 3.5 of By-‐Laws.
President Karen Wasylenko called the meeting to order at 10:24 a.m.
1. Call to Order and Introductory Remarks; a. Welcome – by Karen Wasylenko
i. All Health Regions except Mamawetan were represented at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
ii. Most of the delegates for the AGM were identified by the end of August
2. Credentials Report – Karen Kinar
Present: Forty eight (48) delegates, six (6) guests and eight (8) staff members.
Motion #AC2012 -‐11-‐02-‐01: To adopt the Credentials Report as presented;
Motion made by: Deb Morton
Motion seconded by: Cathy Dickson
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐01: Carried.
3. Appointment of Scrutineers
Motion #AC2012 -‐11-‐02-‐02: To appoint Russell Dixon and Kevin Glass to act as Scrutineers;
Motion made by: Mary Deren
Motion seconded by: Debra Clark
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐02: Carried.
4. Meeting Procedures Provided in the AGM handout and presented by Karen Wasylenko.
Motion #AC2012 -‐11-‐02-‐03: To adopt the Meeting Procedures as presented;
Motion made by: Scott Boucher
Motion seconded by: Marion Blain
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐03: Carried.
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5. Adoption of Agenda
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐04: To adopt the agenda as presented;
Motion made by: Peggy Forsberg
Motion seconded by: Laura Carney
Discussion.
To amend the agenda to include an Open Forum;
Motion made by: Rod Watson
-‐ Point of Order ruled by the Chairperson, Karen Wasylenko, that an amendment to the AGM Agenda to include an Open Forum, as part of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is not an appropriate venue. Although an open forum was allowed in the previous AGM, Kay Robertson, Parliamentarian resource, had advised that an Open Forum is more appropriately held outside the AGM. Therefore the motion was ruled out of order.
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐05: To challenge the Chair’s decision to disallow the amendment to the agenda; Motion made by: Rod Watson Motion seconded by: Marcel Chevalier Discussion. Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐06: Motion to end debate; Motion made by: Deb Morton Motion seconded by: Patricia Pedersen Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐06: Carried. Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐05: To challenge the Chair’s decision to disallow the amendment to the agenda; In Favour: 2 Opposed: 46
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐05: Defeated.
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Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐04: To adopt the agenda as presented;
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐04: Carried.
6. Adoption of October 28, 2011, Annual General Meeting Minutes
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐07: To adopt the minutes of the October 28, 2011, Annual Convention as circulated;
Motion made by: Natalie Horejda
Motion seconded by: Deb Morton
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐07: Carried.
7. President’s Annual Report
The President’s report was made available to members prior to the commencement of the meeting. Karen Wasylenko presented her report.
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐08: To accept the President’s Annual Report as presented;
Motion made by: Angie McConnell
Motion seconded by: Rod Watson
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐08: Carried.
8. Executive Director’s Annual Report
The Executive Director’s report was made available to members prior to the commencement of the meeting. Bill Craik presented his report.
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐09: To accept the Executive Director’s Report as presented;
Motion made by: Cathy Dickson
Motion seconded by: Bonnie Yake
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐09: Carried.
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9. Finance – Presentation of Audited Financial Statements
a. Finance Committee
The Audited Financial Statements were circulated to members. Treasurer Karen Kinar presented the Financial report. The 2012/2013 Budget Projection was also circulated and presented.
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐10: To accept the General Audited Financial Statements as circulated and presented;
Motion made by: Karen Kinar Motion seconded by: Deborah Clark Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐10: Carried.
Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐11: To appoint Mr. Allan Ashdown as HSAS Auditor for the 2012-‐2013 Fiscal Year;
Motion made by: Karen Kinar Motion Seconded by: Anne Robins Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐11: Carried. 10. Committee Reports (Written Reports) (a) Annual Convention (b) Bargaining Conference (c) Communications (d) Constitutional (e) Emergency Fund
(f) Finance – Awards, Charitable Donations, Professional Contributions, Education Fund, Scholarships
(g) Grievance (h) Negotiating (i) Regional Council Development (j) Town Hall Meetings
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Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐12: To accept the Annual Convention, Bargaining Conference, Communications, Constitutional, Emergency fund, Finance, Grievance, Negotiating, Regional Council Development and Town Hall Committees’ reports as presented;
Moved by: Laura Carney Seconded by: Christie Matechuk Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐12: Carried. 11. Resolutions
No resolutions were submitted by the deadline as per Article 3.7 of the Constitution and Bylaws. 12. Executive Council Seat Elections Results
Glenda Brown Assessor Coordinator Saskatoon Health Region Executive Council Seat: Assessor Coordinators
1 year term Bill Fischer Paramedic Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Executive Council Seat: Emergency Medical Technicians, Dispatchers, and Paramedics 1 year term Maureen Kraemer Social Worker Sun Country Health Region Executive Council Seat: Social Workers 2 year term Cynthia Ostafie Health Educator Saskatoon Health Region Executive Council Seat: PHIs, ICPs, Dental Therapists and Health Educators 2 year term Sheryn Peterson Assessor Coordinator Kelsey Trail Health Region Executive Council Seat: Assessor Coordinators 2 year term
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Anne Robins Recreation Therapist Saskatoon Health Region Executive Council Seat: Recreation Therapists and Mental Health Therapists 2 year term Dan Szmutko Occupational Therapist Saskatoon Health Region Executive Council Seat: Occupational Therapists 2 year term Donna Torrens Psychologist Saskatoon Health Region Executive Council Seat: Psychologists and Psychometricians 2 year term Erin Yeates Speech Language Pathologist Saskatoon Health Region Executive Council Seat: Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists, Orthoptists and Music Therapists 2 year term 13. Roberta Ekberg Award – To Be Presented at the 40th Anniversary Banquet
-‐ Recipient announced: Warren Chykowski, posthumously 14. Scholarship Award – To Be Formally Announced at the 40th Anniversary Banquet 15. Adjournment Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐13: That the 2012 Annual Convention be adjourned Moved by: Cathy Dickson Seconded by: Cynthia Ostafie Motion #AC2012-‐11-‐02-‐13: Carried. Adjournment time: 11:25 a.m.
, President
, Secretary
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PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT
Opportunities
It has been a pleasure to serve as your President over this past year. On behalf of HSAS members, I have had the opportunity to discuss issues of concern in health care in Saskatchewan. Through available media options such as press conferences and news releases, radio and television interviews, and through use of our website, our members’ perspective has been shared. I also had the privilege of sharing the HSAS message with community service clubs such as the Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary clubs in Swift Current and in Regina. The audiences were engaged and expressed concern over identified issues, even those which were personally experienced. During a meeting with the Minister of Health, we reiterated the critical role HSAS health care professionals currently play in Saskatchewan’s health care and how a further investment in the staffing of our members could improve the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the health care delivered in Saskatchewan. HSAS also met with the Deputy Minister of Labour and his staff to share our experiences of conducting Job Action under Essential Services legislation. In addition, upon invitation, we took the opportunity to meet with the Deputy Minister of Health and to discuss the Ministry’s LEAN initiatives and strategies.
In January 2013, your Executive Council met to identify and prioritize objectives to further improve member services. As an example, members want to receive a timely response to phone calls made or emails sent to their Labour Relations Officer, requesting assistance or information. Our Executive Director and staff have focused their efforts on developing a system which will facilitate timely responses. Also identified, was a need to update our new member orientation packages. As part of the overall orientation process, Executive Council also prioritized the need to ensure that an HSAS presence is at the regional orientation of all new members. We continue to improve our technology use in the communication with members through the website, Facebook, email and other electronic options. We encourage all members to provide our office with a current, non-‐work email address. A review of our current database software is underway. The goal of this review is to improve accuracy of information held and utilized for member services.
Executive Council worked on strengthening Governance through clarification of roles, reviewing terms of references for Committees, supporting learning opportunities for staff through staff development, and regular staff meetings. Regular evaluation of services that HSAS provides its members contributes to a stronger organization and higher quality of member services. Annual member surveys also assist in guiding Executive Council toward their goal of improving member services.
Since 2003, HSAS has been a member of CHPS (Canadian Health Professionals Secretariat) at a cost of 1% of our dues revenue. CHPS was established by the national Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) to meet the challenges and seize opportunities open to Canadian Health Professionals. The Secretariat has three (3) main goals:
1. To raise the profile of health professionals across the country 2. To deal with issues of public policy that impact health professionals 3. To enhance gains in collective bargaining by sharing information, identifying collective strengths and
developing common strategies and tactics
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Current members of the Secretariat come from across the country and include both unions directly affiliated with NUPGE and those like HSAS who are members of the Secretariat but are not member of NUPGE. CHPS meetings are held twice yearly. HSAS is represented at these meetings by the President, another elected representative and the Executive Director. Bill Craik and I attended the meeting in Toronto in November, 2012. Bill Craik, Natalie Horejda, and I attended the meeting in May in Ottawa. Each union attending prepares a report outlining their organization’s activities, including bargaining, communication, labor relations and political climate. These reports are presented and offer an excellent opportunity for information sharing and problem solving.
Since April 2012, I have served on the SHEPP (Saskatchewan Healthcare Employees’ Pension Plan) Union Partner Committee, representing HSAS. Other Union Partner Committee members include representatives from SUN, SEIU, CUPE, SGEU and RWDSU.
I wish to welcome the newly elected members of your Executive Council. These individuals have been elected to the Executive Council to serve the HSAS Membership. They will assume the responsibility of representing members of their professional group or composite group and will participate fully in the decision making process of our organization – advocates for the Saskatchewan public and for the specialized health care our members deliver.
I wish to thank and acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the outgoing Executive Council members, Committee members, and staff. They have worked diligently, serving the membership of HSAS.
I look forward to this coming year and the opportunity to serve our members. We must continue to embrace opportunity when it arises and meet the challenges of the future head on.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Wasylenko President
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MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS (As of August 31, 2013)
* North East EMS 15 Canadian Blood Services 18 Crestvue Ambulance 24 La Ronge EMS 30 St. Joseph’s Hospital 12 99
% of membership Female 78% Male 22%
Status Number of Members Percent 3631 Full Time: 2218 61% Part Time: 736 20% Casual: 655 18% Other 22 1%
Health Region/Employer Number of Members % of Membership by Region Cypress 113 3.1% Five Hills 118 3.2% Heartland 147 4.1% Keewatin Yatthe 53 1.5% Kelsey Trail 94 2.6% Mamawetan Churchill River 55 1.5% Other Employer* 99 2.7% Prairie North 248 6.8% Prince Albert Parkland 220 6.1% Regina Qu’Appelle 981 27.0% Saskatoon 1147 31.6% Sun Country 179 4.9% Sunrise 177 4.9% Total Membership 3631 100%
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Professional Groups Number of Members Addictions Counsellor 344 Anaesthesia Assistant 5 Assessor/Coordinator 357 Audiologist 13 Biomedical Engineering Technologist (Canadian Blood Services) 2 Dental Therapist/Educator 19 Dietitian 147 Emergency Medical Services 532 Epidemiologist 6 Exercise/Conditioning Therapist 56 Genetics Counsellor 5 Health Educator 149 Infection Control Practitioner 31 Mental Health Therapist 88 Music Therapist 10 Nutritionist 22 Occupational Therapist 231 Orthoptist 8 Orthotist 4 Perfusionist 10 Pharmacist 218 Physical Therapist 353 Prosthetist 5 Psychologist 122 Psychometrician 22 Public Health Inspector 81 Recreation Therapist 60 Registered Laboratory Technologist (Canadian Blood Services) 16 Respiratory Therapist 151 Social Worker 433 Speech Language Pathologist 127
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The following is a brief summary of the areas of activity your staff have been involved with since last year’s report.
The past year has been very busy with our Labour Relations Officers spending the majority of the time on labour relations issues together with bargaining at Canadian Blood Services, North East EMS, and, of course, SAHO Inc.
Family leave, employee selection, dismissals, probationary dismissal, attendance management, workplace accommodations, and Return to Work are some of the areas in which we have been engaged. We have had a large drop in arbitrations contested over the past year and we have been extensively engaged in constructive settlements.
I. Provincial Negotiations
The current HSAS Collective Agreement with SAHO Inc. expired on March 31, 2013. Please refer to the Negotiating Committee Report.
II. Local Negotiations
Canadian Blood Services
The matter has been referred to the Labour Relations Board for conciliation.
North East EMS
Late July, 2013 a tentative contract was reached with North East EMS. The intent is to have this ratified by the membership in early September 2013.
III. Contract Administration
Four (4) of our Labour Relations Officers spent the majority of their time handling members’ questions, concerns, grievances, and arbitrations. In the past year, we have been working mainly on four different types of files: Dismissals, Attendance Management issues, Return to Work and Accommodation issues. We have negotiated satisfactory resolutions to several different kinds of grievances and return to work/accommodation issues. An additional Labour Relations Officer has been dedicated to the Market Supplement program, provincial and local negotiations, and communications.
IV. Labour Relations Board Matters
There are currently no matters before the Board other than the Conciliation request for Canadian Blood Services.
Market Supplement Report
A detailed summary of the Market Supplement program can be found on pages 27 and 28.
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V. Inter Union Activity A. HSAS & SUN vs SAHO and 4 Provider Unions
This claim arose as a result of a transfer of $3 million dollars from the SAHO benefit plan to shore up a deficiency in the contributions of the provider unions, SEIU, SGEU, CUPE, and RWDSU.
We have been in mediation talks throughout the past year and will be pressing our claim forward.
At stake for HSAS is a sum in excess of $1.5 million, plus clarification of the direction of the benefit plan for HSAS members.
We have made a proposal to SAHO to settle this claim and they have accepted. The same provider unions met and have agreed, subject to conditions which are not acceptable to HSAS. The parties continue to discuss.
B. Multi Union Benefits Working Group
The six (6) health care unions (HSAS, SUN, RWDSU, SEIU and CUPE, and SGEU) meet on a regular basis with SAHO to discuss issues arising from the Extended Health and Enhanced Dental Plan. Labor Relations Officer, Russ Dixon currently serves as the HSAS representative.
Currently 2,500 HSAS members have coverage under the Benefit Plans with employers submitting 2,300 FTE premiums.
C. SAHO Employee Benefits Plan Committee
This Committee meets on a regular basis to provide advice to SAHO on the Life Insurance Core Dental and Disability Income Plans. It is made up of representatives from SAHO, HSAS, CUPE, SEIU, and SUN, and SGEU. Labor Relations Officer, Russ Dixon currently serves as the HSAS representative.
Our Benefit plan currently has a surplus and our premiums are now exceeding claims. Our accumulated surplus and growth should allow HSAS several years at current benefits even without enhancements to the plan. This is a slight turnaround from results of previous years.
VI. Union Administration
HSAS maintains offices in Saskatoon and Regina. The staffing complement is as follows:
Saskatoon
Address #42 – 1736 Quebec Avenue Labour Relations Officers Kevin Glass, Kate Robinson, and Russell Dixon Office Manager Bridget Koop Administrative Assistants Chelsea Leonew and Brandi Kinzel
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Regina
Address #12 – 395 Park Street Executive Director Bill Craik Labour Relations Officers Mario Kijkowski and Garnet Dishaw Administrative Assistants Charlene Hebert With the exception of the Executive Director and the Office Manager, HSAS staff is represented by Unifor (formerly Communications, Energy, and Paperwork Union). The current HSAS/CEP Collective Agreement was negotiated in July 2010 and expired on December 31, 2012. Negotiations with Unifor are to commence on September 25 and 26, 2013.
Our Saskatoon staff has seen the departure of two administrative staff in the past couple of years. They have been replaced by Chelsea Leonew and Brandi Kinzel. Our new office manager is Bridget Koop. Diane Wright retired from our Regina office on August 30, 2013. We wish her all the best.
VII. Conclusion
The past year has been busy on many levels.
Our challenges may be somewhat new, dealing with LEAN, and other new management initiatives, we trust that we continue to represent you all with integrity, experience, and wisdom.
Although, to some extent, our work will always continue, I believe we have had some considerable successes over the past year and I am encouraged by the team that HSAS has in place.
In thanking all for their efforts last year, I would firstly recognize all members of Regional Councils who have worked for the Association and their fellow members over the past year.
Second, I would recognize the following groups:
1. Labour Relations Staff: Garnet Dishaw, Russell Dixon, Kevin Glass, Mario Kijkowski, and Kate Robinson. 2. Office Staff: Charlene Hebert, Brandi Kinzel, Bridget Koop, Chelsea Leonew, and Diane Wright. 3. Our Board of Governor: Natalie Horejda. 4. Executive Committee: Karen Wasylenko, Karen Kinar, Anne Robins, and Sheila Kerr. 5. Members of Council: Karen Wasylenko, Glenda Brown, Bonnie Dobranski, Bill Fischer, Judy Jones, Sheila
Kerr, Karen Kinar, Maureen Kraemer, Kade Martin, Christie Matechuk, Cynthia Ostafie, Sheryn Peterson, Anne Robins, Marie Stimson, Dan Szmutko, Donna Torrens, and Sharon Walker.
It is my pleasure to present to you my 6th report as Executive Director of HSAS.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Craik Executive Director
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Profession Currently Market
Supplemented?
Next Report Due
Last Report Received
Date HSAS requested new review
SAHO Recommendation Appealed? Offer
received Notes
Addictions Counsellor
Assessor Coordinator
Audiologist April 9, 2013 December 20, 2012
MS does not need to be implemented
No No vacancies reported.
Dental Therapist X October 2013
November 2, 2012
No increase No No vacancies reported.
Dietitian
EMT/EMTA
Epidemiologist
Exercise/Conditioning Therapist
Genetics Counsellor
Health Educator
Infection Control Practitioner
X December 2013
Mental Health Therapist
Music Therapist
Nutritionist
Occupational Therapist X March 1, 2014
March 1, 2013
No increase No Reported vacancies not significant enough to appeal.
Orthoptist
Orthotist X June 2013 June 2012 4% Offer accepted in December 2012.
Paramedic X February 2014
March 26, 2013
No increase No Low vacancies reported.
Perfusionist X December 2013
March 5, 2013
No increase No Low vacancies reported.
Pharmacist X March 2014
March 5, 2013
December 2012
No increase No Low vacancies reported.
Physical Therapist X September 2013
November 29, 2012
Increase n/a July 18, 2013 -‐ 2.5%
Offer appealed. Hearing set for October 31, 2013.
Prosthetist X June 2013 July 20, 2012
4% Offer accepted in December 2012.
Psychologist Masters September 2013
September 27, 2012
April 2012 Increase n/a July 18, 2013 -‐ 2%
Offer appealed. Hearing set for October 31, 2013.
MARKET SUPPLEMENT REPORT
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Profession Currently Market
Supplemented?
Next Report Due
Last Report Received
Date HSAS requested new review
SAHO Recommendation Appealed? Offer
received Notes
PhD Psychologist X March 2014
March 5, 2013
December 20, 2012
No Increase No Low vacancies reported. This group should receive an increase as a consequence of Masters Psychologist being awarded a Market Supplement in order to maintain the education differential. SAHO may contest this.
Psychometrician
Public Health Inspector X January 2014
April 9, 2013 No increase No Low vacancies reported.
Recreation Therapist
Respiratory Therapist X May 2014 May 2012 No increase Yes -‐ Successful
July 18, 2013 -‐ 2%
Offer appealed. Hearing set for October 31, 2013.
Social Worker December 2012
April 2012 No increase No Low vacancies reported.
Speech Language Pathologist
April 2011 October 2012 Low vacancies reported.
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ANNUAL CONVENTION COMMITTEE REPORT
HSAS Convention 2013 October 24 -‐ 25, 2013 Delta Hotel -‐ Regina Yearly convention for HSAS has always been a highly anticipated event, and this year will be no exception. Our usual one day format has been expanded over 2 days. Now included will be a new session, which we have named, "The Forum". Delegates attending the Convention in recent years have asked for the opportunity to interact in greater depth on topics of interest to them. Our new session, “The Forum”, hopes to address this request. This will allow for the time for delegates to meet and discuss topics, in a setting which will encourage sharing of thoughts and concerns. The other new addition to our AGM agenda is the proposed amendments to the HSAS Constitution and Bylaws. This enormous project was completed this fall. Constitutions and bylaws governing unions are critical documents, and as such, need to be reflective of the organization and should be easily read by their membership. The services of Kay Robertson, a barrister and solicitor with many years of parliamentary and governance experience were engaged to assist us in this process. She will be in attendance at Convention. Our exciting keynote speakers this year include Dr. Timothy Christie, Director of Ethics Services for Regional Health Authority B in New Brunswick. His presentation will outline current issues in medical ethics that healthcare professionals face today. Secondly, our amazing, dedicated LRO (labour relations officers) team will be sharing their stories and bringing delegates to a better understanding of "A day in the life of..." The result of the work a Convention Committee carries out comes to light at the Convention itself. It is hoped that all delegates, members, staff and guests attending, find Convention 2013 to be a valuable and worthwhile experience. Respectfully submitted by: Christie Matechuk -‐ Chair Pharmacist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Marie Stimson Emergency Medical Dispatcher Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Patricia Pederson Physical Therapist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT
The HSAS Communication Committee has two critical functions -‐ internal and external. Internally, the Committee works to ensure that the membership of HSAS is provided with accurate, timely and thorough information and externally, the Committee works to ensure that the public, the media and other stakeholders are made aware of the concerns of HSAS membership.
Over the past year a number of initiatives have been undertaken by the Communication Committee. In the fall of 2012, two surveys were conducted. The first was the annual HSAS membership survey, which assists the organization with identifying areas of member satisfaction and concern and for future planning. The second was the tracking survey which polls the Saskatchewan public on their awareness and prioritization of the services HSAS members deliver across the province. A new initiative was undertaken this year -‐ arranging meetings with the licensing bodies of the professions we represent to explore ways in which we can work together to accomplish our common goals. We also implemented a new annual initiative called the “Holiday Reception” where members of Executive Council meet with MLAs of the Government in an informal setting to discuss issues important to our members.
Media initiatives included production of a third TV commercial and airing of the three commercials during the winter months, online advertising, attendance and speeches by the President at service clubs across the province, news releases, letters to the Editor and press conferences. All media initiatives are undertaken with the goal of raising public awareness of service issues experienced by our members in all of the health regions. In addition, just before the New Year, a new logo was launched to assist in HSAS recognition.
Membership communication improvements have been a focus of internal communication initiatives. Location research and preparation for bulletin board materials in worksites will provide members with HSAS labour relations officer and union contact information. Also undertaken has been extensive revamping of new member orientation materials and work in progress on a structured and member-‐ delivered orientation process for all new members to be conducted during their health region orientations.
The HSAS website continues to be refined to meet member needs. The use of social media such as Facebook in addition to a home email system helps to reach as many members as possible with important information about the work of the Union. Timeliness is a critical factor in the delivery of information to our members. Not too many years ago, all communication was by mail and a notice to members which took up to two weeks to print, stuff, mail and deliver, now can be read by thousands in a matter of minutes.
Effective communication must always look for ways to improve upon the status quo. The Communication Committee is committed to doing so.
Respectfully Submitted:
Natalie Horejda, Chair Physical Therapist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region and HSAS Board of Governor Christie Matechuk Pharmacist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Dan Smutzko Occupational Therapist Saskatoon Health Region Karen Wasylenko Speech Language Pathologist Saskatoon Health Region and HSAS President Bill Craik Executive Director HSAS Staff Kate Robinson Labour Relations Officer HSAS Staff Diane Wright Administrative Assistant HSAS Staff
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CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE REPORT
The Constitutional Committee’s focus of this past year was to conduct a review of the wording used in the current Constitution and By-‐Laws. The goal was to achieve a document that would be cohesive and more easily understood by all members. This work began in January 2012 when Kay Robertson, a lawyer with extensive knowledge in parliamentary procedure and constitutional language, addressed an Executive Council retreat.
Upon further study and consultation with Kay Robertson, it became evident that if we only adopted the few language changes, we would continue to have a document which was not cohesive in its structure and which would remain a challenge to be understood. It was recommended by Kay Robertson that we consider a full review of the language and organization of the document.
On June 28th 2012, HSAS Executive Council passed the following motion:
“Constitution Committee make a commitment to work with Kay Robertson on a complete rewrite of the Constitution and Bylaws for the year of 2012-‐2013 for presentation at the 2013 Annual Convention”
The intensive work by the Committee and Kay Robertson began following the AGM in 2012. A motion to approve the proposed Constitution and Bylaw changes was passed on September 12, 2013 and was also ratified by the Board of Governors on September 12, 2013. HSAS members were mailed notification of the resolution and the proposed Constitution and Bylaw changes as is required by current Bylaws. Below is the resolution to be presented at the AGM of the HSAS Convention 2013:
That the existing Constitution and By-‐laws of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, last amended on October 28, 2011, be repealed and replaced with the Constitution and Bylaws attached to this resolution as Schedule A.
Many hours of typing drafts, proof reading and continued revisions and wording analysis were done over the past several months. I wish to thank Kay Robertson for her detailed and thorough work on this document which is being presented at this AGM. Also, I wish to thank the Committee Members and HSAS staff who assisted in the completion of this considerable task.
Respectfully submitted:
Karen Wasylenko -‐ Chair HSAS President Speech/Language Pathologist Saskatoon Health Region Maureen Kraemer Social Worker Sun Country Health Region Cynthia Ostafie Health Educator Saskatoon Health Region Donna Torrens Psychologist Saskatoon Health Region Natalie Horejda Board of Governor/Physical Therapist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Bill Craik Executive Director HSAS Diane Wright Administrative Assistant HSAS Chelsea Leonew Administrative Assistant HSAS
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FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Funds, Scholarships, and Awards A. Continuing Education Fund
The Education Fund was established at the October 1990 Annual Convention. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to members who take an educational event directly related to their present position.
A lottery system is used to select successful applicants. Names are drawn from those eligible in the following manner, twenty (20) on October 1st and twenty (20) on March 1st of each fiscal year. Successful applicants are eligible for a maximum of $500.00.
This year’s lottery results are as follows:
October 1st, 2012 Draw
Twenty (20) successful applicants were drawn from sixty-‐five (65) applications submitted:
Shaelene Barker Speech Language Pathologist Saskatoon Rochelle Bondarenko Speech Language Pathologist Saskatoon Carolyn Chu Nutritionist Saskatoon Michelle Cruz Physical Therapist Saskatoon Tricia Harvey Physical Therapist Prairie North Kerri-‐Lynne Hysuick Occupational Therapist Regina Jackie Kivol Occupational Therapist Saskatoon Carol Lagey-‐Wiggs Speech Language Pathologist Saskatoon Shannon Lemay Respiratory Therapist Saskatoon Michael McCann Public Health Inspector Regina JoAnn McKenzie Physical Therapist Saskatoon Lacey Nairn Physical Therapist Saskatoon Bonnie Quiring Speech Language Pathologist Saskatoon Miriam Scuka Physical Therapist Saskatoon Adele Sirois Respiratory Therapist Saskatoon Wanchun Song Occupational Therapist Regina Renee Walker Physical Therapist Saskatoon Jo Ann Walker-‐Johnston Physical Therapist Saskatoon Fanny Yu Occupational Therapist Saskatoon Jeffrey Zwack Social Worker Regina
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March 1st, 2013 Draw
Twenty (20) successful applicants were drawn from fifty-‐four (54) applications submitted:
Britny Andrews Occupational Therapist Cypress Glenda Beauchamp Dietitian Saskatoon Kimberley Cote-‐Reschny Speech Language Pathologist Saskatoon Cristina Dumitrescu Psychologist Regina Jesse Dziad Occupational Therapist Saskatoon Colleen Eddolls Occupational Therapist Prince Albert Ashley Freeden Physical Therapist Saskatoon Renee Joyce Infection Control Practitioner Saskatoon Maureen Junk Occupational Therapist Saskatoon Cathy Knox Nutritionist Cypress Angela Lafontaine Physical Therapist Cypress Bronwyn Lasair Physical Therapist Saskatoon Christina Lepage Occupational Therapist Prince Albert Charlotte McLean Speech Language Pathologist Regina Heather Millar Dietitian Saskatoon Adria Quigley Physical Therapist Saskatoon Mark Rosin Perfusionist Saskatoon Shay Saxby Occupational Therapist Regina Allison Stene Physical Therapist Saskatoon Patricia Urbaniak Social Worker Regina
B. Scholarships In 1984, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan established a Scholarship Foundation. One of its objectives is to promote educational achievement, particularly in post-‐secondary areas of study or training in a post-‐secondary educational institution. The following scholarships have been established: i) Ron Currie Award
Established in 1985, this $500.00 scholarship is awarded to a Pharmacy student in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan. The award recognizes Ron’s leadership in guiding the formation of our union. The recipient is chosen by a committee representing the Faculty of Pharmacy, HSAS and the Pharmacy Students Society. The 2012-‐2013 recipient was Jeff Herbert who is a 3rd year student from the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.
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ii) Silver Anniversary Scholarship
The 1997 Annual Convention established scholarships to mark the 25th anniversary of Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan. Twenty (20) five hundred dollar ($500) scholarships are awarded to a spouse or dependent of a Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan member enrolled in full-‐time studies at a post-‐secondary educational institution leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
Completed application forms were to be received in the Saskatoon office no later than October 1, 2012.
This fiscal year’s successful applicants were:
1. Ralph Aman, Social Worker, Cypress Health Region, whose daughter, Erika Aman, is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Saskatchewan.
2. Kathy Buettner, Social Worker, Sunrise Health Region, whose daughter, Amanda Cottenie, is pursuing a degree in Pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan.
3. Carolyn Chu, Nutritionist, Saskatoon Health Region, whose son, William Brooke, is pursuing a Machine Shop Certificate at SIAST.
4. Judith Der, Assessor/Coordinator, Saskatoon Health Region, whose daughter, Jasmine Der, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science at The University of Saskatchewan.
5. Deanne Dowling, Pharmacist, Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, whose son, Spencer Dowling, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at The University of Saskatchewan.
6. Wanda Freistadt, Occupational Therapist, Saskatoon Health Region, whose daughter, Kristen Freistadt, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Recreation at Dalhousie University.
7. Kathryn Gorectke, Physical Therapist, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, whose husband, Walter Gotectke, is pursuing his Bachelor of Elementary Education at The University of Regina.
8. Valerie Guillemin, Pharmacist, Saskatoon Health Region, whose son, Brent Guillemin, is pursuing Education at The University of Saskatchewan.
9. Marla Hartman, Social Worker, Saskatoon Health Region, whose son, Jordan Hartman, is pursuing Engineering at The University of Saskatchewan.
10. Marianne Kirkland, Health Educator, Prairie North Regional Health Authority, whose daughter, Bridget Kirkland, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Food Nutrition Health at The University of British Columbia.
11. Brian Kirkness, Addictions Counsellor, Heartland Health Region, whose daughter, Kelsey Kirkness, is pursuing a Social Work Degree at Lakeland College in Lloydminster.
12. Mark Mazur, Perfusionist, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, whose wife, Tracey Mazur, is pursuing an Executive MBA at The University of Regina.
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13. Margaret Petty, Recreation Therapist, Saskatoon Health Region, whose son Trevor Petty, is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at The University of Saskatchewan.
14. Carol Prete, Assessor/Coordinator, Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, whose daughter, Brittani Prete, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at The University of Saskatchewan.
15. Doug Ramsay, Health Educator, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, whose daughter, Jessica Ramsay, is pursuing a Classical Music Diploma at Mount Royal University.
16. Margaret Sanderson, Assessor/Coordinator, Saskatoon Health Region, whose daughter, Olivia Turgeon, is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce at Edwards School of Business at The University of Saskatchewan.
17. Brenda Temple, Infection Control Practitioner, Saskatoon Health Region, whose daughter, Hannah Temple, is pursuing a Social Work Degree at Royal West/University of Saskatchewan.
18. Chris Tkatchuk, Addictions Counseller, Saskatoon Health Region, whose son, Drew Tkatchuk, is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Saskatchewan.
19. Candice Van Staveren, Occupational Therapist, Sun Country Health Region, whose son, Willem J. Van Staveren, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at The University of Saskatchewan.
20. Emily Woytiuk, Speech Language Pathologist, Saskatoon Health Region, whose husband, Kurt Woytiuk, is pursuing a Ph.D. in Engineering at The University of Saskatchewan.
C. Labour Relations Fund
This fund was established by Executive Council at its February 19, 1992 meeting. The purpose is to encourage Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan members to increase their knowledge of industrial relations. The sum of $1,200 per fiscal year is available to members. Monies are distributed on a first come, first served basis to a maximum of $400 per member. There was one (1) application for $400 which was approved. The successful applicant was Brad Mee.
D. Roberta Ekberg Award This award was established at the 2003 Annual Convention to recognize a former member, Robert Ekberg and her contributions and long standing commitment to HSAS. An award of five hundred dollars ($500.00) is provided to an HSAS activist, HSAS employee or HSAS legal counsel who has contributed to furthering the visions and interests of HSAS. Nominations for this award will be accepted no later than August 31 of each year. There was one approved nominee for the 2012-‐2013 fiscal year -‐ Karen Kinar.
E. Emergency Fund Two (2) members received funding from the Emergency Fund this year. Each member received $500.00.
F. Warren Chykowski Memorial Award This award honors the memory of Warren Chykowski-‐ a valued HSAS Member who had many accomplishments during his years of involvement with the Union. In his memory, HSAS encourages Respiratory Therapy students to stay in or relocate to Saskatchewan, and become a Member of HSAS, following in Warren’s activist footsteps. One (1) $500 award winner is chosen per year. The Warren Chykowski Memorial Award winner for the 2012-‐2013 fiscal year was Colleen Herle.
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Charitable and Professional Donations
Charitable Donations
A total of $3785.90 was given in charitable donations over the 2012-‐2013 fiscal year to the following organizations:
• Community Safety Net $315.00 • SFPO (SK. Federation of Police Officers) Guide $595.00 (2012) • Unemployed Workers Centre $300 • Global Youth Education Network Society $500.00 • The Avenue Community Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity $250.00 • SFPO (SK. Federation of Police Officers) Guide $595.00 (2013) • The Hospital Activity Book for Children $230.90 • Saskatoon Shinerama $1000.00
Union/Professional Donations
A total of $3000.00 was given in union/professional donations over the 2012-‐2013 fiscal year to the following organizations:
• CAMT (Canadian Association of Music Therapists) Conference 2013 -‐ $1000.00 • Health Sciences Students’ Association -‐ $2000.00 Respectfully submitted: Karen Kinar -‐ Chair Respiratory Therapist Saskatoon Health Region Glenda Brown Assessor/Coordinator Saskatoon Health Region Bill Craik Executive Director HSAS Bonnie Dobranski Addictions Counsellor Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Bill Feldbruegge Speech/Language Pathologist Saskatoon Health Region Anne Robins Recreation Therapist Saskatoon Health Region
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GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
No Grievance Committee Report was submitted.
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NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE REPORT
The Negotiations Committee started actively preparing for this round of negotiations in August 2012. During our preliminary discussions, we determined that we wanted to find a better way to negotiate our Collective Agreement which would serve the members needs, and not take as long as in the past. Concurrently with these discussions, the Committee continued to work as normal to develop the proposals to be presented to SAHO for this round of negotiating. As 2013 approached, we learned that provider unions such as CUPE and SEIU had been approached during their negotiations to participate in a “Partnership Agreement”. The information we were able to obtain was that the “Partnership” being sought by the government was as an aside to their collective agreement and revolved around the implementation of LEAN principles. Further to this, statements made by the VP of Human Resources in the Saskatoon Health Region suggested that the Provincial Government was seeking these agreements with all health unions. With this in mind, we approached the Government in November 2012 to determine if they were truly interested in a partnership agreement.
In December 2012, we heard from the Government that they were interested in a partnership with HSAS. We subsequently arranged to meet with the Deputy Minister (DM) of Health, Dan Florizone, and the Assistant Deputy Minister, Max Hendricks to explore this possibility further. At this meeting, the DM stated that they were seeking a partnership as they wished to transform the delivery of health services in the province and wanted our input and participation in that process. They also said that they wanted the negotiation of the Collective Agreement tied to the acceptance of a Partnership Agreement. The Minister informed us the language of the Collective Agreement would be unchanged, but that wages would increase by 4.5% over three years. While this wasn’t a very lucrative offer, we felt that if it truly gave our members input into the delivery of the services they provide, it would be a worthwhile endeavour to pursue a Partnership Agreement. At this meeting the Government provided us with a draft of what they believed a partnership would look like.
On initial reading, the draft appeared to be similar to the second Partnership Agreement that SUN had negotiated, however, with some notable exceptions. The draft document presented to us ignored any mention of the disclosure and maintenance of staffing levels, and demanded numerous takeaways from the Collective Agreement to facilitate changes brought about by LEAN initiatives. For example, the Government proposed that the union should waive certain seniority rights, and also grant them the ability to move members to undetermined worksites that could be a great distance from their present worksites. The Government asked us to review the document and prepare a counter if we so wished. The Committee undertook a substantial review of the document and did provide a substantial counter offer, removing the terms that impacted the Collective Agreement. Further discussion with the Government and the health regions were focused on acceptance and implementation of LEAN priorities. In return for our endorsement of LEAN, we asked that the health regions provide HSAS with the number of budgeted positions of our members and how many of those positions were actually filled. This may sound like information the union would, and should, already know. However with the number of casual employees and the employers’ long standing history of vacancy management, it is extremely difficult to know how many HSAS members are employed and how many positions are budgeted for.
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This knowledge is needed for determining market supplement reports, workforce planning, and appropriate service delivery. The Government felt this was information we should have but that is was up to the regions to provide. Further discussions with the health region representatives were fruitless as they determined that HSAS didn’t need this information. In consideration of the stance that the regions took on this matter, and as this was the only substantive piece HSAS was requesting in the multi-‐page document, the Government was informed that HSAS couldn’t agree to the document without the inclusion of the disclosure of staffing levels. The Government then informed us weeks later that they wouldn’t agree to the inclusion of the information, and that they were no longer actively seeking a Partnership Agreement. It should be noted that none of the other unions, other than SUN, have achieved partnership agreements.
With the need to still negotiate a Collective Agreement, HSAS, at the time of writing, will be having an initial exchange of proposals with SAHO on August 26. The Committee, as has been our past practice, will continue to give the membership updates as to the negotiations as they transpire.
Respectfully Submitted
Bill Fischer, Chair Paramedic Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Natalie Horejda Physical Therapist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Chair of HSAS Communications HSAS Board of Governor Sheila Kerr Physical Therapist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Karen Kinar Respiratory Therapist Saskatoon Health Region Crystal Springer Psychologist Saskatoon Health Region Karen Wasylenko Speech/Language Pathologist Saskatoon Health Region & HSAS President Bill Craik Executive Director HSAS Staff Chelsea Leonew Administrative Assistant HSAS Staff Kate Robinson Labour Relations Officer HSAS Staff
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REGIONAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
The mandate of Regional Councils is to promote an active local membership in the health regions they serve. In many ways, Regional Councils are the “eyes and “ears of the union in the workplace. This past year there were five Regional Councils throughout the province. According to the Regional Council Terms of Reference, in those health regions that have an existing Regional Council, every HSAS member belongs to that Regional Council.
There are currently four Regional Councils in the health regions, with two of those functionally active. The active Regional Councils are in Five Hills and Cypress health regions. These Regional Councils have held meetings and have a duly elected Executive.
As the Terms of Reference require Regional Councils to hold a minimum of three meetings per year and requires them to have a duly elected executive for terms of one year, Prince Albert Parkland’s Regional Council chose to dissolve due to the inability to fill seats on their Regional Council executive.
Executive Council is currently exploring options which would contribute to member engagement at a local level, whether a Regional Council exists in a health region or not.
Karen Wasylenko -‐ HSAS Contact for Regional Councils & HSAS President
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RESOLUTIONS
Resolution #1: That the existing Constitution and By-‐laws of the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan, last amended on October 28, 2011, be repealed and replaced with the Constitution and Bylaws attached to this resolution as Schedule A. Approved for Consideration by Executive Council, September 12, 2013
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2012 – 2013 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS
Seat Representing: Executive Council Member:
Addictions Counsellors Bonnie Dobranski Addictions Counsellor Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
Assessor Coordinators Glenda Brown Assessor Coordinator Saskatoon Health Region
Sheryn Peterson Assessor Coordinator Kelsey Trail Health Region
Dietitians, Nutritionists Sharon Walker Dietitian Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
Emergency Medical Technicians, Dispatchers, Paramedics
Marie Stimson EMD Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
Bill Fischer Paramedic Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
Occupational Therapists Dan Szmutko Occupational Therapist Saskatoon Health Region
Pharmacists Christie Matechuk Pharmacist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
Physical Therapists, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Exercise/Conditioning Therapists
Sheila Kerr Physical Therapist Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
Kade Martin Exercise Therapist Kelsey Trail Health Region
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Seat Representing: Executive Council Member:
Public Health Inspectors, Infection Control Practitioners, Health Educators, Dental Therapists
Cynthia Ostafie Health Educator Saskatoon Health Region
Psychologists, Psychometricians Donna Torrens Psychologist Saskatoon Health Region
Recreation Therapists, Mental Health Therapists Anne Robins Recreation Therapist Saskatoon Health Region
Respiratory Therapists, Perfusionists, Anaesthesia Assistants
Karen Kinar Respiratory Therapist Saskatoon Health Region
Social Workers Maureen Kraemer Social Worker Sun Country Health Region
Judy Jones Social Worker Kelsey Trail Health Region
Speech/Language Pathologists, Audiologists, Orthoptists, Music Therapists
Vacant
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DR. TIMOTHY CHRISTIE “ETHICS IN HEALTH CARE”
Dr. Timothy Christie is the Director of Ethics Services for Regional Health Authority B in New Brunswick. He was formally the Director of Ethic Services for the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation and prior to returning to New Brunswick in 2006 he was the Health Care Ethicist for the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver. Dr. Christie is a philosopher and and epidemiologist specializing in medical ethics.
He earned a BA (first class honors) and MA from the University of New Brunswick, a PhD from the University of Ottawa, and a Master of Health Science degree (MHSc) in Epidemiology from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.
In addition to his position as the Director of Ethics Services, he is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Bioethics at Dalhousie University, a Lecturer in the Department of Humanities and Languages at UNBSJ and he teaches for the Philosophy Department at UNB (Fredericton).
He supervises graduate students and has taught medical ethics at the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, University of Ottawa and the University of New Brunswick.
Research Interests
His research interests are Medical Ethics and Public Health Ethics. In addition to writing many technical documents he recently published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, Developing World Bioethics, the Canadian Mental Association Journal, Healthcare Policy, the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology, Health Law in Canada, and the British Columbia Medical Journal.
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LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICERS “A DAY IN THE LIFE – WHAT DO THEY DO AND HOW CAN THEY HELP ME ”
Located in either Regina or Saskatoon and reporting to the Executive Director, Labour Relations Officers (LROs) are responsible for the provision of labour relations services and general advocacy for the union’s membership. Duties include:
• Answering member questions about the Collective Agreement. • Providing advice pertaining to various workplace situations that arise (return to work programs,
accommodation, conflict, etc. • Providing support during harassment complaints, investigations, and conflict resolution processes • General advocacy, including rights granted to an employee by the Human Rights Code, Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Workers Compensation, Occupational, Health and Safety Act, and the Trade Union Act.
• Negotiating Letters of Understanding for local terms of employment • Managing the grievance process up to and including arbitration • Helping to solve workplace issues without the use of the grievance procedure • Negotiating Collective Agreements
Kevin Glass started with HSAS on October 1, 1998. He represents members working in the Keewatin Yatthe Health Region, Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region, Prairie North Health Region, Heartland Health Region, Saskatoon Health Region, and La Ronge EMS.
Mario Kijkowski has been with HSAS since February 15, 1999. He represents members working in the Five Hills Health Region, Sunrise Health Region, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, and Crestvue Ambulance.
Garnet Dishaw commenced in August 2007. He represents members working in the Cypress Health Region, Sun Country Health Region, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, and Canadian Blood Services in Regina.
Russ Dixon is our newest LRO, having started with us in January 2012. He represents members working in the Kesley Trail Health Region, Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, Saskatoon Health Region, and North East EMS.
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NOTES
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NOTES
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NOTES