ONA Front Lines December 2012

In ThIs Issue . . .E4From ONA President/Interim CEO

Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN

E5From ONA First Vice-President

Vicki McKenna, RN

december 2012Vol. 12 • No. 6

continues on page 3

ONA Successfully Maintains HOOPP Provisions

has launched a positive ad campaign that urges the government, employers and members of the public to recognize the true heroes of our province: you!

During our November Biennial Convention in Toronto, ONA unveiled details of our new campaign, which continues with our very successful Value the Invaluable campaign, using a humourous, sports-related analogy to remind people of the value and skills that Ontario nurses bring to our health care system.

The campaign launched with a radio ad playing throughout Ontario

ONA has successfully negotiated an agree-ment with the provincial government that maintains Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) provisions in light of gov-ernment changes.

The agreement maintains current con-tribution rates, exempts HOOPP from being merged with smaller pension plans with fund-ing deficits, and ensures that employers will

FeATuResReflecting on 40 Years ............................... 6Member’s Cardiac Pain Research .......... 8

InDeXUp Front ......................................................... 3Member News ............................................. 6ONA News ...................................................11Queen’s Park Update ...............................14CFNU News .................................................14Education ....................................................15Pensions .......................................................16Occupational Health and Safety .........16Professional Practice ...............................17Student Affiliation ....................................18Pay Equity ....................................................18Human Rights and Equity .....................19Awards and Decisions .............................20Financial Statements ...............................22

The members’ Publication of the Ontario Nurses’ Association

continues on page 3

ONA

Included with this Issue: Work of the union, Winter Issue; Access to Confidential Patient Records Q&AIncluded with this Issue: Work of the union Winter Issue

Access to Confidential Patient Records Q&A

special Pull-out Feature: OnA’s Biennial Convention!

ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud humourously displays that ONA is #1 during the unveiling of our new Value the Invaluable campaign at our Biennial Convention in Toronto on November 20, 2012.

see no contribution increases until at least De-cember 30, 2017. HOOPP is the defined benefit pension plan of the majority of our members.

“We have negotiated an agreement that en-sures HOOPP will continue to be there for our hard-working, dedicated registered nurses and allied health professionals who pay into the plan to prepare for retirement,” said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud.

ONA Campaign Values the Invaluable!

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:26)

79590-1 ona_frontlines dec2012 v8_p01.pdf .1

DECEMBER 20122

Linda Haslam-Stroud, rN

President/Interim CEO, VM #2254 Communications & Government

Relations / Student Liaison

Vicki mcKenna, rN

First VP, VM #2314Political Action & Professional Issues

Pam mancuso, rN

VP Region 1, VM #7710Occupational Health & Safety

Anne clark, rN

VP Region 2, VM #7758Labour Relations

Andy Summers, rN

VP Region 3, VM #7754Human Rights & Equity

dianne Leclair, rN

VP Region 4, VM #7752Local Finance

Karen bertrand, rN

VP Region 5, VM #7702Education

How to contact your 2013 ONA board of directors

Call ONA toll-free at 1-800-387-5580 (press 0)

or (416) 964-8833 in Toronto and follow the

operator’s prompts to access board members’

voice-mail. Voice-mail numbers (VM) for Board

members in the Toronto office are listed below.

Tel: (416) 964-8833

Toll free: 1-800-387-5580

ONA Provincial Office

85 Grenville St., Ste. 400

Toronto ON M5S 3A2

ONA is the union representing 59,000 registered nurses and allied

health professionals and more than 13,000 nursing student affiliates

providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the

community, clinics and industry.

Fax: (416) 964-8864

E-mail: [email protected]

www.ona.org

design: Artifact graphic design

Printed by union labour: Thistle Printing Limited

copyright © 2012 Ontario Nurses’ Association

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced

or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic,

mechanical, photocopy, recording, or by any information storage or

retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher

(ONA members are excepted).

editor: Ruth Featherstone

Features editor: Melanie Levenson

Send submissions to:

Communications and Government Relations Intake at [email protected].

contributors: Dan Anderson, Doug Anderson, Sheree Bond, Nancy Johnson,

Colin Johnston, Mary Lou King, Bev Mathers, Enid Mitchell, André Proulx,

Katherine Russo, Karen Sandercock, Lawrence Walter

EHamilton 2 King St., W., 2nd Floor Rear Dundas, ON L9H 6Z1 Tel: (905) 628-0850 Fax: (905) 628-2557EKingston 4 Cataraqui St., Ste. 201 Kingston ON K7K 1Z7 Tel: (613) 545-1110 Fax: (613) 531-9043ELondon 750 Baseline Rd. E. Ste. 204 London ON N6C 2R5 Tel: (519) 438-2153 Fax: (519) 433-2050

EOrillia 210 Memorial Ave., Unit 126A Orillia ON L3V 7V1 Tel: (705) 327-0404 Fax: (705) 327-0511EOttawa 1400 Clyde Ave., Ste. 211 Nepean ON K2G 3J2 Tel: (613) 226-3733 Fax: (613) 723-0947ESudbury 764 Notre Dame Ave., Unit 3 Sudbury ON P3A 2T4 Tel: (705) 560-2610 Fax: (705) 560-1411

EThunder bay #300, Woodgate Centre,

1139 Alloy Dr. Thunder Bay ON P7B 6M8 Tel: (807) 344-9115 Fax: (807) 344-8850ETimmins Canadian Mental Health

Association Building 330 Second Ave, Ste. 203 Timmins ON P4N 8A4 Tel: (705) 264-2294 Fax: (705) 268-4355EWindsor 3155 Howard Ave., Ste. 220 Windsor ON N8X 3Y9

Tel: (519) 966-6350 Fax: (519) 972-0814

ONA Regional Offices

The members’ Publication of the Ontario Nurses’ Association

december 2012Vol. 12 • No. 6

ISSN: 0834-9088

www.Facebook.com/OntarioNurses • www.Twitter.com/OntarioNurses • www.youtube.com/OntarioNurses

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:28)


Up Front

DECEMBER 2012 3

continues from cover



“I know you have heard many attacks on HOOPP in the media, with some calling it a gold-plated pension plan for the public sector. The truth is HOOPP is a defined benefit plan that is fully funded through contri-butions of its members and employers. In fact, approximately 80 cents of every HOOPP pension dollar paid comes from investment returns on contributions of members and their employers, not the taxpayer.”

entitled, “The Super Shift,” which likens the efforts and achievements of a nurse to those of a pro athlete during an important game and questions why nurses aren’t valued in the same way.

“For ONA members, every shift is a super shift as you strive to provide the quality patient care that Ontarians need and deserve,” said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud. “Our health care system desperately needs your invaluable skills and care, and the government must recognize the fact that dollar for dollar, you are the best value in health care. This campaign will help make sure they do.”

The radio ad was closely followed by transit shelter ads across the province, which depict a packaged “action figure” nurse run off her feet complete with appropriate

“accessories” (see back cover). Both the radio and transit shelter ads urge listeners to express their support of nurses via ONA’s website.

To learn more about our campaign and how you can get involved, log onto www.ona.org.

ONA Successfully Maintains HOOPP Provisions


Through extraordinarily good management, HOOPP has avoided funding deficits and has allowed contribution rates to remain stable for many years.

“HOOPP is an example of an extremely well run pension plan that should have been an example for the government, not one that they should have chosen to attack,” Haslam-Stroud added.

For more information on HOOPP and the other pension plans of ONA members, please see pg. 16.

ONA members become Front Lines cover stars at a very popular booth at our recent Biennial Convention, allowing them to show their family and friends that they really are the MVPs of our health care system!

Want to Tell Your Story about a Nurse who Made a Difference?As part of our Value the Invaluable campaign, ONA

is asking people to share their positive stories

about nurses online.

By logging onto our website (www.ona.org/value)

and providing some brief details, we will share your

positive stories with the front-line nurses in your

community, and we will post some on the cam-

paign website page. ONA will ensure your personal

privacy by removing any identifying details.

We have already received several submissions

so far, including:

• “The nurses at the Ottawa General Hospital are all

great, but I’d like to especially thank those on the

rad/onc floor. They took care of my grandma for

a few weeks after she was diagnosed with cancer.

The nurses were professional, honest and pro-

vided my family with the answers we needed in

unfamiliar territory. You are all superstars.”

Granddaughter, Ottawa

• “The nurses who cared for my father while he was

in palliative care made the difference between his

‘dying’ and ‘living while dying.’ When my father

died, the nurses literally circled us in a group hug,

made us a cup of tea and allowed us time to ab-

sorb the shock. To him and to his family, they were

the best thing during very sad times.”

daughter, Scarborough

We know that you have positive nurses’ stories.

Please share them with us so we can share them

with the communities across Ontario!


www.ona.org/value

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:30)


DECEMBER 20124

From ONA President/Interim CEO

Chronique de la présidente/directrice générale par intérim, AIIO

Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN

You are what makes ONA such a strong, united and respected organization.

ONA at 40 Years: A Vibrant Profession. A Powerful Union!

The Ontario Nurses’ Association is turning 40!It’s hard to believe that our union is hitting this milestone

birthday, and doing so with such energy, passion and com-mitment.

For those who attended the 2012 Biennial Convention in Toronto last month, that energy, passion and commitment was on full display.

As I like to remind members, ONA is you, the members, and the dedication you all display daily to Ontarians. You are what makes ONA such a strong, united and respected organization.

At the Biennial, I spoke of just how far the union has come in our 40 years of existence, of how we’ve advanced the respect and recognition of nurses and our allied health members and improved your socio-economic welfare and working conditions.

I also spoke of the threats to unionism, our profession and pa-tient care. Despite evidence to the contrary, conservative politicians are pushing hard to create a society in which unions don’t exist or are powerless, where workers have no voice to improve workplace conditions, earn a fair wage or even have a stable job at all.

Each one of us needs to decide what kind of Ontario we want to see, now and in the future. Evidence shows that nations with high rates of unionized employees have lower unemployment and infla-tion rates, higher productivity and make speedier adjustments to economic shocks.

Despite this, we see the Ontario PC Party leader releasing a white paper that calls for a “flexible workforce” – much like what has de-stroyed the standard of living for so many in states like Wisconsin.

Your union has overcome many hurdles in our 40 years. Clearly, we’ll have to continue our work to overcome many more in the future.

I have no doubt that our members are up to the challenge as we work together to advocate for our profession and for our patients/clients/residents, because we are a vibrant profession and a power-ful union!

Happy anniversary, ONA!

L’AIIO à 40 ans : une profession dynamique. Un syndicat puissant!

L’Association des infirmières et infirmiers de l’Ontario célèbre ses 40 ans!

J’ai du mal à croire que notre syndicat célèbre ce 40e anni-versaire, une étape charnière, avec tant d’énergie, de passion et de détermination.

Pour ceux qui ont participé au Congrès biennal de 2012 à Toron-to le mois dernier, cette énergie, cette passion et cette détermina-tion étaient bien visibles.

Comme j’aime à le rappeler à nos membres, l’AIIO c’est vous, nos membres, et l’engagement que vous manifestez tous les jours à l’égard des Ontariens. C’est grâce à vous que l’AIIO est un organisme puissant, uni et respecté.

À l’occasion du Congrès biennal, j’ai discuté de la progression impressionnante de notre syndicat au cours de ses 40 années d’exis-tence, de la façon dont nous avons promu le respect et la reconnais-sance des infirmières et infirmiers ainsi que de nos membres des professions paramédicales, et amélioré votre bien-être socioécono-mique et vos conditions de travail.

J’ai aussi parlé des menaces qui visent le syndicalisme, notre profession et les soins aux patients. Chacun de nous doit décider de ce que nous voulons pour l’Ontario, maintenant et à l’avenir. Il a été démontré que les nations ayant des taux élevés d’employés syn-diqués ont des taux de chômage et d’inflation moins élevés et une productivité supérieure, et s’adaptent plus rapidement aux chocs économiques.

Malgré cela, le chef du Parti progressiste-conservateur de l’Onta-rio a publié un livre blanc appelant au recours à une « main-d’œuvre flexible » – à l’image de ce qui a détruit le niveau de vie des résidents de si nombreux États américains, dont ceux du Wisconsin.

Votre syndicat a surmonté de nombreux obstacles au cours de ses 40 ans d’existence. Visiblement, nous devrons poursuivre notre travail pour triompher de beaucoup d’autres à l’avenir.

Je n’ai aucun doute que nos membres sont prêts à relever ce défi alors que nous travaillerons ensemble pour défendre notre profes-sion et nos patients, clients, et résidents, parce que notre profession est dynamique et notre syndicat, puissant!

Joyeux anniversaire, AIIO!

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:32)


DECEMBER 2012 5

From ONA First Vice-President

Chronique de la première vice-présidente, AIIO

Vicki McKenna, RN

The Legislature is Prorogued, So Now What?

Many of you have asked me now that Premier Dalton McGuinty has announced his resignation and prorogued parliament, what does that really mean for ONA and our members?

Just before Premier McGuinty made this announcement in Octo-ber, essentially shutting down parliament to any current and future business, there was a bill on the table that virtually stripped away all democratic rights of public sector workers, including our members, to bargain collectively (see the cover of the October issue of Front Lines). With the proroguing of parliament, that bill will not be on the table in the immediate future, may change or may not be introduced at all.

With two agreements negotiated between high school teachers and their local school boards receiving a thumbs-up from the gov-ernment just as we went to press, we are optimistic this pause in proceedings was used to reflect on legislation that is blatantly in-appropriate and unfair, and may spell better days ahead.

While we expect key decisions to be made in those days that will have a significant impact on the working conditions for nurses and our ability to provide safe quality care, we sincerely hope that all parties – and the new Liberal leader (who will be decided in Janu-ary) – will take advantage of our front-line knowledge and consider our advice when developing their plans for the delivery of health care services. After all, who understands the barriers and challenges that must be addressed to move forward to meet the needs of our patients/clients/residents better than nurses?

And it is our patients/clients/residents who expect that consul-tation to happen without delay. We will be advocating that their needs, along with respect for nurses, the value of our work and our democratic right to collectively bargain our terms and conditions of work, must be the focus of the discussion on solutions.

If our rich 40-year history is anything to go by, I am confident that by remaining united and strong, we will prevail. I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season.

La législature est prorogée. Qu’est-ce que cela signifie pour nous?

Bon nombre d’entre vous m’avez demandé ce que la démission du premier ministre Dalton McGuinty et la prorogation du Parlement signifient concrètement pour l’AIIO et pour nos

membres. Tout juste avant l’annonce du premier ministre McGuinty, en

octobre, laquelle a essentiellement eu pour effet de bloquer le Parle-ment pour toutes les affaires courantes ou futures, un projet de loi avait été déposé et retirait pratiquement tous les droits démocra-tiques des travailleurs du secteur public, y compris nos membres, de participer à des négociations collectives (voir la page couverture du numéro d’octobre de Front Lines). En raison de la prorogation du Parlement, ce projet de loi ne fera pas l’objet de discussions dans l’avenir immédiat, pourrait être modifié ou pourrait même ne pas être déposé.

Puisque deux ententes négociées entre les enseignants des écoles secondaires et leur conseil scolaire local ont reçu l’approba-tion du gouvernement tout juste avant la publication de ce message, nous espérons que cette pause dans les délibérations a permis une réflexion sur la législation tout à fait injuste et inappropriée, et pourrait se traduire par un avenir meilleur.

Bien que nous nous attendions à ce que des décisions clés soient prises, qui auront une incidence importante sur les conditions de travail des infirmières et des infirmiers, ainsi que sur notre capacité de fournir des soins de santé sécuritaires et de qualité, nous espé-rons sincèrement que toutes les parties – de même que le nouveau chef du Parti libéral (qui sera désigné en janvier) – tireront parti de nos connaissances de première ligne et tiendront compte de nos conseils quand ils élaboreront leurs programmes de prestations de soins de santé.

Par ailleurs, nos patients, clients et résidents s’attendent à ce que cette consultation ait lieu dans les plus brefs délais. Nous continue-rons de faire valoir que leurs besoins, de même que le respect pour nos infirmières et infirmiers, la valeur de notre travail et notre droit démocratique à négocier collectivement nos modalités et conditions de travail, doivent être les principaux points abordés dans le cadre des discussions sur les solutions.

En me fiant sur nos quarante années d’histoire, je suis persuadée qu’en demeurant unis et forts, nous réussirons.

…our democratic right to collectively bargain our terms and conditions of work must be the focus of the discussion on solutions.

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:33)


ONA Members Across Ontario

DECEMBER 20126

Reflecting on 40 Years of Nursing and ONAThe following was written by Susan Crilly, an RN at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, in honour

of ONA’s 40th anniversary.

ing for better health care.

Our first contract gave us a good

salary increase. I was now making

more than my husband! We worked

fewer weekends and shifts, and

schedules began to improve.

Through Susan Nelles, we be-

came aware of one of ONA’s most important

services to nurses: legal representation.

We went through the spread of AIDS be-

fore it was understood, and SARS.

Throughout it all, ONA has been there

advocating for and protecting us in ways I’m

sure they could not have foreseen. And it

continues to take on new battles.

Yes, our uniforms have changed and how

we work has changed many times over, but

the main focus of our work continues to be

driven by compassion and advocating for the

sick to achieve the best outcome using all the

resources available.

Today we have so much support and bet-

ter working conditions because ONA has

worked so hard to “care for the caregiver.” I

As I was reading Front Lines, I was amazed to

realize this is ONA’s 40th anniversary!

It took me down memory lane. I remem-

ber voting for a union in 1972. I had just grad-

uated and started a full-time job as an RN.

We worked two out of three weekends, and

all three shifts. I can recall my fiancé asking

me what my salary would be. “I don’t know...

whatever nurses make,” I said! Orderlies with

only weeks of training and no accountability

or assignment made more than the nurses.

Our uniforms were white dresses and

white stockings, no runners. Yes, we wore our

hats and proudly displayed the black band

identifying us as RNs. Hair was up, no jewelry,

other than our school pin.

We worked in teams with a team leader

and a charge nurse. There was no such thing

as lifts, blue pads, incontinent pads or at-

tends. We had draw sheets and a few rubber

sheets. Needless to say, we changed many

beds. Gloves were only worn for sterile pro-

cedures. Protecting ourselves wasn’t really a

consideration. We pulled patients up and in

and out of bed using our own bodies as le-

verage.

Medications were written on tiny colour-

coded cards. Our notes were in black, green

and red ink denoting the different shifts. If

you were a female patient, 45 years of age or

over, chances are you were on Valium. There

was little understanding of women’s health

issues. Most patients over 70 were not resus-

citated automatically; that was the sole dis-

cretion of the doctor.

They tried to tell us we didn’t really want

a union, as they were only after our dues. But

the vote happened and ONA began its work

of representing Ontario nurses and advocat-

Happy MRT Week!ONA’s medical radiation Technologists (mrT) have joined with their colleagues across

canada to celebrate national mrT Week.

mrT Week was celebrated from November 4-11 this year to laud the contributions

these highly skilled professionals make to our health care system. mrTs, which comprise

several disciplines, use hands-on diagnostics, therapy and technology to ensure quality

cancer care, and treat many benign diseases. mrTs make an enormous difference to

patients in hospitals and clinics and play an important role in the promotion of medical

radiation safety for patients.

ONA is proud of our many mrT members, who are a component of our allied health

group, and celebrated along with them during their special recognition.

would like to say THANK YOU to ONA for all

the gains it has acquired for us.

When I was on a membership team in the

late 1990s, I learned firsthand the high cali-

ber of all the staff who make up ONA. I was

amazed, and ONA gained my utmost respect.

Thanks to all the tireless work and hours

put in at the Local level by many nurses who

strive to uphold our contracts and protect

our rights.

We make a good salary and have one of

our country’s best pensions to look forward

to and count on.

When I reflect on ONA’s 40 years, an old

saying comes to mind: “You’ve come a long

way baby!” So once again, thank you, ONA,

and happy 40th!

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:36)


DECEMBER 2012 7

One ONA Local has realized that if you really want to engage executive members and the up

and comers in the work of our union, you’ve got to get them to provincial meetings.

Local 81 Coordinator Judy Carlson, who brought 16 members to the November Biennial

Convention (pictured), said her Local introduced a levy a few years ago that specifically goes

towards education. In non-Biennial years, the money is earmarked for an array of membership

education; in Biennial years, it is dedicated to sending members to that convention.

“The Biennial is our biggest learning experience,” she said. “We solve the problems at our

Local meetings, but you cannot get the big picture unless you go to the provincial meetings.

You can’t possibly take all your learnings from those meetings home. You’ve got to get the

members to the provincial meetings.”

Not only does the Local fund members of the executive to go to the Biennial, they also

hold a draw for one or more members to attend (depending on finances), who have shown

a keen interest in getting more involved in the union. In fact, four of the members Carlson

brought this year had never previously been to a Biennial.

“They couldn’t believe all the work that ONA does and said it was so exciting to be part of

it!” she said. “They didn’t feel that connection before they came to the Biennial. The levy has

really opened up education to us.”

Even for seasoned convention goers, Carlson said you cannot downplay the power and

importance of attending such a gathering.

“Sometimes in the Local we get bogged

down with the heavy stuff we deal with dai-

ly,” she said. “But the Bargaining Unit Presi-

dents all come back from the Biennial com-

pletely energized and ready to take it all on.

It doesn’t just rev up the new people, it revs

them all up.”

ONA public health nurses and nurse practitioners

from the Algoma Public Health Unit join the ca-

nadian Union of Public employees for an infor-

mation picket outside the board of Health meet-

ing in Sault Ste. marie on October 17, 2012. The

nurses, who provide public health services to

residents in the district of Algoma, including

Sault Ste. marie, Wawa, blind river, elliot Lake

and surrounding areas, were set to strike on No-

vember 1 after conciliation failed, but reached an

agreement with their employer on October 25. “I

would like to thank ONA for the support given to

public health,” said Local 12 coordinator Susan

berger. “even as a Local leader and very involved

in our union, I don’t think I quite grasped the

power of ONA. When an employer isn’t showing

respect for the work we do, it is difficult, but hav-

ing the support of such a strong union makes it

so much better. I know the war is not over, but I

think we have won this battle!”

Algoma Public Health Nurses Narrowly Avert Strike

MeMbership engageMent

Get members to the meetings!

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:37)



DECEMBER 20128

nity hospital; the management and clinical staff were extremely sup-

portive,” she said. “Also, the study would not have happened without

patients suffering from ACS who were willing to share their experi-

ences.”

Data analysis is completed and O’Keefe-McCarthy hopes her re-

search will change the standard of practice for the assessment and

management of cardiac pain and related anxiety.

“While it is premature to discuss particular results, we have learned

valuable information about the warning signs people may have six

months to weeks before their cardiac event and possible factors that

may contribute to the severity of ACS pain,” she said. “Ultimately, the

best I can hope for is that clinical practice can change because of the

results of my research, and that ACS patients’ pain and anxiety can be

alleviated.

After witnessing patients suffer from cardiac chest pain at her rural

community hospital, an ONA member is conducting research that

may have a profound effect on how that pain is managed in such set-

tings in the future.

Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy (pictured), who has worked for more

than 25 years as a chemotherapy nurse and in cardiology, neurology,

emergency and intensive care, launched a cardiac pain study at Ross

Memorial Hospital in Lindsay in June 2011. By learning from those

in pain, she hopes to document their experiences to identify where

more pain management is needed.

“Over the years, the experience of pain and pain management has

been a major concern, and the problem of cardiac pain continually re-

surfaced,” she said. “I needed to do something concrete to change the

way we understand and treat patients with cardiac pain.”

That something began to take flight after O’Keefe-McCarthy, a

George Brown College graduate, went back to school, completing her

baccalaureate degree at Ryerson University in 2004 and her master’s

degree at the University of Toronto in 2007. She became very interest-

ed in research and evidence-based practice and wanted to pursue the

complex problem of cardiac pain and related anxiety.

“Once enrolled in the PhD program, I went to the literature to iden-

tify the gaps in practice that would help me build a case for a study to

address the relationship between pain management and cardiac pain

intensity and anxiety for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients,” she

said. “ACS refers to the clinical symptoms of coronary artery disease and

is a leading cause of death and disability in Canada. If not adequately

managed, the pain and anxiety caused by ACS can cause further heart

damage.”

O’Keefe-McCarthy, who has obtained various certificates in criti-

cal care, emergency room theory and advanced patient assessment,

explained that the current gold-standard treatment of ACS is rapid

access to cardiac angiography and revascularization with percutane-

ous coronary intervention (PCI), but in Canadian rural ERs, transfer to

PCI can take up to 32 hours.

“Given those long wait times, effective pain and anxiety manage-

ment for people suffering ACS in rural ERs must be made a priority to

preserve vulnerable heart muscle,” she said.

With the full support of management and fellow colleagues,

O’Keefe-McCarthy interviewed agreeable candidates who arrived at

Ross Memorial with chest pain regarding their pain intensity and level

of anxiety while they waited for diagnostic tests and transfer to PCI.

“I was delighted to conduct my research in my own rural commu-

Member’s Pain and Anxiety Research May have Far-Reaching Implications

Speaking out for Those Who Can’tONA member Jessica Lyons speaks during a Raise the Rates rally

at Toronto’s city Hall on October 17, 2012 to protest the govern-

ment’s cancellation of the community Start Up benefit on de-

cember 31, 2012. every two years, individuals and families on

social assistance are entitled to receive these funds to assist them

when they need to move or start up in a new home, which means

that those leaving hospitals and other institutions and women

and children fleeing abusive relationships can buy the bare ne-

cessities. “I think we all understand that the cancellation of the

community Start Up benefit is an ugly and vicious attack on poor

people,” said Lyons. “ONA members are coming together, creat-

ing a new opportunity to stand against poverty to make the con-

nection between dignity in health care and dignity in life.”

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:39)


DECEMBER 2012 9

raising money – and AwarenessLocal 8 Treasurer dagmar ray (left) and Secretary dana boyd take advantage of

the ONA biennial convention to promote the work of nurses while raising money

for a good cause. bargaining Unit President carol Ahpin, an industry nurse from

chrysler, had an idea last summer to produce and sell car magnets reading, “Nurs-

es Put Patients First” with all proceeds supporting the United Way of Windsor essex

counties. The Local produced 1,000 magnets, which they sell for $5 each. “We have

the highest unemployment rates and lowest determinants of health in the prov-

ince, and the good work of the United Way goes a long way to help,” said boyd. The

Local raised $750 at the June Provincial coordinators meeting alone, and sold

many more at the biennial. “really, these things sell themselves,” noted boyd, “and

we are so grateful for the support of ONA members.”

LTC Nurse Steps out of Comfort Zone Using ONA ToolsONA tools and the help of strategic coach

Mark Gaylard has given a long-term care

leader the confidence to do something she

never thought she could: speak to politicians

and nursing leaders. And she plans to take

her newfound skills right back to her Bargain-

ing Unit to help others.

Local 15 Bargaining Unit President Jean

Kuehl, who works at Forest Heights Long-

Term Care Facility in Kitchener, said that

thanks to the resources offered by ONA, in-

cluding education, written material and ex-

pert advice by staff, and her strategic coach,

who provided much-needed direction, she

was able to help spread ONA’s key messages

at the November Biennial Convention.

“I went to the MPP reception by myself

and immediately thought, what am I doing

here?” she said. “I took one look at my new

‘Yes, I can’ tattoo, mustered up the courage,

and managed to speak to the people I ad-

mire.”

Those people include NDP Leader Andrea

Horwath, who appeared transfixed by their

conversation about the work of her party,

CBC news anchor Peter Mansbridge, and Ca-

nadian Federation of Nurses Union President

Linda Silas, whom Kuehl wanted to tell “how

much I appreciate her passion for nurses and

nurses’ unions.” She also approached a Minis-

try of Labour inspector to discuss inspections

of long-term care facilities.

“What I learned through ONA and Mark is

that I need to come out of my comfort zone

– step up, step out! – and I did!” she laughed.

“But I was so pumped during the MPP recep-

tion. My coach told me I’m his hero!”

And now that Kuehl has taken that first

plunge and succeeded with flying colours,

she plans to share those skills and tools with

her members back home.

“I will take what I’ve learned back to my

Bargaining Unit because we can’t be compla-

cent with all that’s going on around us,” she

said. “We have some very important work to

do. I will encourage my members with the

materials and tools I received from ONA and

at the Biennial Convention, and from the sto-

ries I’ve heard because I’ve learned that what

we need are stories. ONA has the tools; let’s

show our members how to use them!”

After overcoming her fear and approaching NdP Leader Andrea Horwath (right) during

ONA’s biennial convention, Jean Kuehl is sharing her new lobbying skills with her fel-

low members!

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:42)



DECEMBER 201210

Two ONA members who were singled out in

a letter to the College of Nurses of Ontario

(CNO) for their exceptional care of a patient

in her final days say they acted as they do

with all their patients.

Pam Prudence and Frank Cinicolo, regis-

tered nurses on the intensive care unit (ICU)

at Leamington District Memorial Hospital,

were highly praised in a letter from Connie

Clerici on behalf of her family, who came into

the ICU unexpectedly following a health cri-

sis experienced by their mother.

“Pam and Frank are two RNs who demon-

strate their understanding of the need to bal-

ance professionalism with compassion,” the let-

ter, shared with Front Lines by the family, states.

“It is our opinion that Frank and Pam should be

held out as role models for their peers.”

Not only did the two nurses provide ex-

emplary care to the family’s mother in her fi-

nal days, but consulted with them about her

care every step of the way, and intervened

when the family felt their mother’s health

care wishes were not being followed.

“Pam and Frank consistently demonstrated

their understanding of the trauma on our fami-

ly and our immediate need for information and

clarity,” the letter states. “As a result of (their) ef-

forts, our mother was able to pass away with

her dignity in a very comfortable manner.”

The letter, forwarded to the nurses by

the hospital’s Vice-President of Nursing and

featured in their hospital’s newsletter, took

them both by surprise.

“The letter absolutely made me cry,” said

Cinicolo, who worked the day shift caring for

the patient and attended her funeral. “Who

does this stuff? It was wonderful to be acknowl-

edged for going the extra mile because we al-

ways do for all our patients. We were empathic

with the family because we understood where

they were coming from. We consulted with

them along the way and that’s so important.”

“I was very flattered,” added Prudence, who

mostly worked the night shift. “I was having

one of those days when I read the letter and it

really made me feel good. I didn’t do anything

that I wouldn’t do on a daily basis with every

patient, but it is lovely to be recognized.”

Cinicolo believes that because Clerici is

a nurse herself, she understands the politics

and challenges nurses face and could see

they go above and beyond for their patients.

“A nurse can always recognize what an-

other nurse is doing,” he said. “The family

spent a lot of time at the bedside and appre-

ciated our work.”

So much so, in fact, that the Clerici fam-

ily donated $1,000 to the nurses’ unit in their

mother’s memory, and Cinicolo and Pru-

dence were given the honour of choosing

where the money would go. That decision

Letter of Praise to college Overwhelms rNswas still pending at press time, but they say

a new TV for families to watch while in the

sunroom is a distinct possibility. The family

also requested donations for the unit in lieu

of flowers, which Clerici said amounted to

approximately $3,000.

While the letter to the CNO was an unex-

pected boost to their morale, both Cinicolo

and Prudence agree nurses should be the

first ones to pat themselves on the back.

“Don’t be discouraged if recognition is

not verbalized,” said Cinicolo. “People do rec-

ognize when you do a good job, even if they

don’t say it. They really do – and you should

know it too.”

“You don’t have to have these accolades,

but they are a bonus,” concluded Prudence.

“Knowing that I am doing what I can to make

a better day for a patient is enough for me.”

This Employer’s Trick is no TreatOn Halloween night, The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) members, including Local 111

Treasurer Agnes Alix, deliver a truly frightening message to their community about

the impact of their employer’s plan to replace rNs with lesser-skilled workers with no

professional nursing training. Trick-or-treaters were handed candy attached to a flyer

for their parents reading, “Say boo to cutting health care” and asking them to tell their

mPPs and TSH ceO that the hospital’s plan to balance its budget “is a trick that isn’t

even fit for Halloween.” On the back is a “I (Heart) rNs at The Scarborough Hospital”

sign, which we hope community members will display. “member engagement for this

campaign has been phenomenal,” said Local 111 coordinator Susan brickell. “We are

reaching out to people who have never been involved in our union before.” For more

information, log onto www.ona.org/TSH.

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:44)


ONA News

DECEMBER 2012 11

Making a Big Statement for our 40th Anniversary!ONA has kicked off our 40th anniversary celebration in a very noticeable way!

On November 1, 2012, ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud joined the Board of Directors and

staff to mark the start of ONA’s year-long anniversary celebrations by unveiling an eye-catching

banner running down the south-west side of our downtown Toronto provincial office.

“ONA was formed in 1973 out of the need to empower nurses and to gain recognition and

respect for those who devote so much time and energy to ensuring that the patients, clients and

residents of Ontario receive the quality care they need and deserve,” she said during the unveil-

ing. “Over the decades, ONA has done a great deal to both improve the quality of work life for

members and to grow respect for the profession of nursing. I hope you like the very colourful

and very big way in which we’re announcing that ONA continues to be a powerful and credible

union for a very passionate nursing workforce, and that we’re proud of our 40 years of advocacy!”

ONA will be marking our anniversary throughout 2013 and we hope you will take some time

to celebrate our achievements along with us.

Added Haslam-Stroud, “As we move forward with our 40th anniversary celebrations, let’s work

together as a team and ensure we continue to be a vibrant profession and a powerful union!”

To read about ONA’s history, log onto www.ona.org/milestones.

The televote results are in!

Following a vote via telephone, which took place this fall, Pam Man-

cuso from Local 46 (Sault Area Hospital) was elected Region 1 Vice-Pres-

ident on the ONA Board of Directors. Candidates in regions 2, 3, 4 and 5

were acclaimed, meaning no election was necessary for their positions.

The Board for 2013 is as follows:

• President: Linda Haslam-Stroud (third from right).

• First Vice-President: Vicki McKenna (middle).

• Region 1 Vice-President: Pam Mancuso (second from left).

Introducing the 2013 Board…• Region 2 Vice-President: Anne Clark (third from left).

• Region 3 Vice-President Andy Summers (far right).

• Region 4 Vice-President Dianne Leclair (far left).

• Region 5 Vice-President Karen Bertrand (second from right).

Thank you to Region 1 incumbent Diane Parker for your years of

service and dedication to our union and your members, and to those

in Region 1 who exercised your democratic right to vote in this im-

portant election.

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:46)


ONA News

DECEMBER 201212

ONA Stands up for CCACs

ONA Fights Back Against Discriminatory Bill

ONA is flatly rejecting a report released by the Registered Nurses’ As-

sociation of Ontario (RNAO) that calls for the wholesale closure of On-

tario’s 14 community care access centres (CCACs).

CCACs currently connect people with a variety of non-hospital

care sectors, including home care and long-term care, but the RNAO

report recommends that all planning, service agreements, funding,

monitoring and accountability functions currently carried out by the

CCACs be transferred to the province’s 14 Local Health Integration

Networks (LHINs). Closing the CCACs would save $163-million a year,

which, if applied to home care, would provide more than four million

additional hours of home care services, the report states.

ONA was quick to speak out, noting that the CCAC system is not

broken. Rather than close CCACs, we believe the Ministry of Health

and Long-Term Care should conduct a critical review of the size and

cost of management staff of these agencies.

“With the government continuing to focus on moving care out of

hospitals and into the community, this is an opportune time to ex-

pand and enhance the role of dedicated RNs and allied health profes-

sionals in CCACs, who continue to be best positioned to coordinate

care for Ontarians,” said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud. “They

are absolutely integral to the care of patients, clients and residents

trying to navigate their way through the health care system.”

We also believe that CCAC case managers should assume total re-

sponsibility for coordination of care and internal service delivery for

patients, residents and clients requiring community or home care to

ensure Ontarians smoothly navigate through the system.

ONA has written a formal letter to the RNAO outlining our con-

cerns with its CCAC proposal.

formation about the bill on our website and

urged members to contact your MP to pro-

ONA is vehemently opposed to an intrusive

bill that would require unions to provide

highly detailed and complicated financial

statements far in excess of what could be

considered reasonable or fair.

Bill C-377 proposes amendments to the

Income Tax Act that will require unions, their

pensions and training trusts to file state-

ments on all transactions and disbursements

more than $5,000 as well as the salary of all

employees and executives.

“What this discriminatory bill really sets

out to do is monitor and restrict the political

activity of unions and labour organizations

while threatening the privacy of union staff,”

said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud.

“ONA is already transparent to our members

and has nothing to hide. Our financial state-

ments are included in the December issue of

Front Lines (see pages 22-23). There is no way

the federal government can justify this bill.”

While at press time the federal Finance

Committee had heard from all witnesses

and the bill was expected to pass, ONA did

not take the news lying down. We posted in-

ONA Local and provincial leaders and members join the canadian Federation of Nurses

Unions (cFNU) for a Lobby day on Parliament Hill in November, focusing on bill c-377.

The group, including (left to right) Local 83 site rep Sandy mcewen, cFNU President

Linda Silas, Local 42 bargaining Unit President Luc Lauzon, region 2 Vice-President Anne

clark, Local 42 coordinator Patty Shaughnessy, Local 83 coordinator Frances Smith and

Local 83 member rose O’Neill (not pictured) met with three mPs, including russ Hieberts,

who introduced bill c-377. “This bill is just the latest attack on unions,” said clark, “and

we made our opposition to it clearly known during Lobby day.”

test, which many of you did. Despite the out-

come, we thank you for your support.

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:49)


DECEMBER 2012 13

News iN BRieFE Health Canada has removed the licensing conditions man-

dated as part of the pilot of the Donor Care Associate

(DCA) model, meaning Canadian Blood Services (CBS)

can expand that model nationally. ONA has been lobby-

ing against this model change to minimize the impact

on our members and the public. DCAs are unregulated

workers who are hired and trained by CBS to screen po-

tential blood donors at clinics across Canada. RNs, who

can ask additional assessment and screening questions,

had been providing this service until the change. ONA is

concerned that donors may now not be screened appro-

priately, posing a risk to the province’s blood supply.

E ONA is claiming victory after a for-profit U.S. conglomerate has

decided not to proceed with the purchase of Shouldice

Hospital. In September, it was announced that Shouldice

would be sold to Centric Health Corp., a publicly traded

company controlled by American-based Global Health-

care Investments and Solutions. While Ontario outlawed

for-profit hospitals in 1973, it exempted existing facilities

such as Shouldice, which specializes in hernia operations,

making it one of the few private, for-profit medical centres

in Ontario that receives government funding. ONA wrote

a letter to Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Deb

Matthews, stating this unique circumstance should not be

carried on through the sale, noting that for-profit owner-

ship is linked to poorer health outcomes for patients and

less transparency and access to information because of

commercial interest. The $14-million sale required the

Minister’s approval under the Private Hospitals Act.

Public Sector Cuts Reduce Economic Growth, ONA Research ShowsONA has released important new research showing that cuts to public

health care and education will actually reduce economic growth.

As the province continues down the road of decreased public spending in

health care and other public services through initiatives such as imposed wage

freezes, forced pension erosion and sweeping labour law reform, ONA’s paper,

Easy to Take for Granted: The Role of the Public Sector and Carework in Wealth

Creation, by ONA economist Salimah Valiani, shows that the value of economic

output generated through every dollar spent on public health care, education

and social services is considerably higher than each private investment dollar.

Using quantitative as well as qualitative data, our research shows that

the current focus on public sector cuts actually means reduced econom-

ic growth in the years to come, noting that Ontario needs to shift from a

framework of “economic efficiency” to one of “social efficiency” for true

health care reform to happen. While market efficiency results in short-term

financial savings, it also results in long-term costs for careworkers and the

most vulnerable, and negatively impacts economic growth as a whole.

“Remembering cuts to health care in the 1990s, our research and experi-

ence tell us that cuts to public health care are a false economy,” said ONA Presi-

dent Linda Haslam-Stroud. “We have to organize public health care and other

public services so they are the most beneficial to recipients and providers. Con-

tracting outside ‘experts’ who know nothing about front-line service delivery

settings will inevitably leave Ontarians with poorer health and an increasing

reliance on patients’ families and friends to the detriment of everyone.”

In the current environment of increasing inequality and falling economic

growth around the world, Ontario needs a combination of economic and

human development to regenerate the economy and the population, the

paper concludes.

To view the entire paper, log onto www.ona.org/research.

ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud (right) holds a thank you to ONA plaque from cassandra

robinson, Operation christmas cheer founder, during a meeting at our provincial office in No-

vember to discuss the importance of supporting striking workers. ONA has donated an addi-

tional $5,000 to the cause this year, which ensures that everyone walking a picket line in this

province during the holidays receives support, cheer, a traditional christmas dinner for their

family and a toy for each of their children. ONA staff also donated gift cards, which will go di-

rectly to the picketers. Last year, ONA helped support 984 families and 392 children through

Operation christmas cheer, and this year’s donation will assist the members of five Locals walk-

ing picket lines in Ontario on extended strike/lockout, with possibly more to come. A message

from Haslam-Stroud on the importance of Operation christmas cheer and ONA’s ongoing sup-

port appeared in its annual publication, Picket-line Press. For more information or to view the newsletter, visit www.operationcheer.com.

Spreading Holiday Cheer on the Picket Line

Hi Ofelia,

I have now have all the pieces to finish Front Lines. If I knew they would come to me so

So, can you please add to what you already have:

Page 22-23: Financial statements have been altered to reflect request from Linda and the

Please let me know if you have any question.

Thanks - and sorry this has been so piecemeal.

Ruth

ONA Fights Back Against Discriminatory Bill

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:51)


QUeeN’s pARk Update CFNU News

DECEMBER 201214

E On October 9, 2012, Premier McGuinty announced additional services that pharmacists can now deliver in an expanded scope of practice. In addition to

giving the flu vaccine, pharmacists can now also:

I Renew or adapt existing prescriptions.

I Prescribe medication to help people quit smoking.

I Demonstrate how to use an asthma inhaler or inject insulin.

I Support patients who have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, and

monitor their condition.

Ontario’s public health units, through public health nurses, will be supporting

pharmacists in the administration of the publicly funded influenza vaccine,

including education, inspection and distribution of vaccines. The intent of this

increased scope of practice is not to replace existing providers and flu vaccine

clinics, but to add capacity and points of access for these services by more

providers. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has assured ONA that

all current funding for public health units to provide influenza vaccines will

continue.

E The Ontario government has announced passage of the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit Act, which will allow Ontario’s seniors to receive a tax

credit to renovate their homes so they can live in them safely, independently

and comfortably longer. Seniors who own or rent homes, and people who share

a home with a senior relative, will be able to receive the new tax credit worth

up to $1,500 each year. Examples of eligible home modifications include stair

lifts, walk-in bathtubs and ramps. Homeowners should save their receipts for

eligible expenses made on or after October 1, 2011. Seniors at all income levels

can qualify for the tax credit. From 2012 onward, the tax credit can be claimed

on the Personal Income Tax return for 15 per cent of up to $10,000 in eligible

expenses per year.

E On October 24, 2012, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Deb Matthews announced $15.1-million in funding for seniors to live independently at home by

increasing support for home care and other community services in the Hamilton

Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), such as:

I Additional home care services to seniors.

I Assisted living programs that help patients with a range of essential daily

activities.

I Community programs to help seniors better manage their diabetes.

I Overnight personal assistance for seniors living in supportive housing units.

Funding allocated for other LHINs, which has since been announced, include:

I Erie St. Clair LHIN – $6.5-million.

I North East LHIN – $7.5-million.

I North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN – $5.047-million.

Just how many patients can one nurse safety care for?CFNU Report Confirms What Nurses Know is TrueThe Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU)

has released a report showing that excessive nurs-

ing workload is negatively affecting patient out-

comes, asking just how many patients can one

nurse safely care for?

The report, Nursing Workload and Patient Care:

Understanding the Value of Nurses, the Effects of Ex-

cessive Workload and How Nurse-Patient Ratios and

Dynamic Models Can Help, surveyed Canadian and

international evidence relating nurse staffing to

patient outcomes, including mortality. It also cap-

tured the results from three consultations of ex-

perts and the experiences of front-line nurses.

The report confirmed that inadequate nurse

staffing is associated with increases in mortality

rates, hospital-acquired pneumonia, urinary tract

infections, sepsis, hospital-acquired infections,

pressure ulcers, upper gastrointestinal bleeding,

shock and cardiac arrest, medical errors, falls, failure

to rescue and longer hospital stays.

“Matching nursing levels to the number and

acuity of patients pays off,” said CFNU President

Linda Silas. “It pays off for patients in terms of im-

proved health. It pays off for nurses in terms of

reduced illness and injury in the workplace, and it

pays off for government by lowering costs of nurs-

ing overtime and turnover, less hospital readmis-

sion and shorter lengths of stay.”

The report calls on governments to commit to

safe staffing models across the continuum of care.

“Patients are at risk due to excessive nursing

workload,” warned Silas. “We urge health ministers

to work with us to improve patient safety by devel-

oping safe staffing plans and practices.”

To view the entire report, visit www.nursesunions.ca.

Hi Ofelia,

of changes out. Just a few notes:

thing for the financial statements.

changes to Work of the Union now.

Ruth

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:52)


DECEMBER 2012 15

edUCAtiON

ONA has launched a new and exciting way

for you to have fun on Facebook while

learning about the professional responsibil-

ity workload reporting process.

As many of you know, ONA has its own

Facebook page where you can find up-to-

the minute ONA news, information and

events. We also have a specific page on Face-

book for eLearning, which provides mem-

bers with an array of free ONA education

that can be accessed at any time and at any

pace from the comfort of your own home.

We are very excited to offer you a cus-

tom ONA game that you can access through

ONA’s eLearning Facebook page as well. This

new game, ER Scramble, highlights the need

to be aware of the professional responsibil-

ity workload reporting process!

And it’s very simple to play. Choose an

ONA board member to play as your charac-

ter while you respond to as many emergen-

cies as possible in a crowded ER before you

run of time. Play the game, have fun, and

compete for a top 10 score you can share

with your friends. Play as many times as you

please!

We encourage you to check out the eL-

earning page often at www.facebook.com/

OntarioNurses, or “like” our page to receive

convenient news updates and announce-

ments in your Facebook feed.

Is Your day Like an emergency room Scramble?

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:55)


OCCUpAtiONAl Health & safety

DECEMBER 201216

PENSIONS

Do You Know Your Pension Plan?Most ONA members are enrolled in a defined benefit pension plan to

help provide financial security when it’s time to retire. To help you wade

through the myriad of pension plans and which one you belong to, we are

providing a concise list below. In upcoming issues of Front Lines, we will

continue to delve into member pension plans, what they offer and how

they differ.

The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) is a defined ben-

efit pension plan, which covers the majority of ONA members. Employers

providing HOOPP include hospitals, community care access centres and

some long-term care facilities. HOOPP is jointly governed and ONA has

two members on the Board of Trustees.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Toronto, St. Michael’s Hospital, Grand River

Hospital and Providence Hospital have their own pension plans. Of these,

Grand River and St. Michael’s also partially participate in HOOPP for some,

but not all, of their employees. These are employer-sponsored plans and

we have no representation on the governing boards.

As a result of the psychiatric hospital divestments, some ONA mem-

bers are currently members of the Ontario Public Service employees

Union (OPSeU) Pension Trust (OPT) and a number continue to hold past

service with that plan. OPT is jointly governed by OPSEU and the provin-

cial government.

The Ontario municipal employees retirement System (OmerS) cov-

ers municipal employees in Ontario. ONA members covered by this plan

include those working in public health and municipal homes for the aged.

Many nurses employed by community care access centres (CCACs) also

hold past service with OMERS, dating back to the creation of the CCACs

when HOOPP was established as the pension plan for them all. OMERS is

jointly governed, but due to our low number of members, we do not have

representation on the governing board.

Members in the long-term care sector mainly participate in the Nurs-

ing Homes and related Industries Pension Plan (NHrIPP). NHRIPP is a

union-sponsored target benefit plan. ONA has a trustee and an alternate

trustee on the NHRIPP board.

The Victorian Order of Nurses and canadian blood Services (cbS)

both offer defined benefit pension plans to their employees. Nurses work-

ing for General motors and chrysler canada are covered by the plans

offered by those companies. Of these, ONA has an alternate union trustee

on the CBS plan.

The plans named above cover the vast majority of workplaces where

ONA has bargaining rights. There are still a few employers who offer only

group RRSPs or defined contribution plans, but we continue to work to-

wards bringing those members into a more mainstream defined benefit

plan.

health and safety action:

Ministry of Labour Orders Now Posted on ONA WebsiteIn an ongoing effort to share information that can help

members in your quest to improve workplace health

and safety, dozens of Ministry of Labour (MOL) orders

are now listed on the ONA website.

“ONA members want to know how the Ministry of

Labour is handling these issues across the province, so

we decided to post the MOL orders we receive from

our members,” said ONA Health and Safety Specialist

Nancy Johnson. “By making these orders publicly ac-

cessible on the website, we are giving ONA members

specific information they can use to show employers

what has been required of similar employers around

the province, and press for provincially consistent best

practices.”

The Ministry orders – found under the Enforcement

tab under Health and Safety – are sorted into several

hazard headings, including chemical, work design,

biological and internal responsibility system/law.

So far, health care employers have been cited for a

wide range of infractions including:

• Failure to notify Joint Health and Safety

Committees and workers of occupational injuries

and illnesses as required by law.

• Tripping and ergonomic hazards.

• Equipment deficiencies such as incorrect lifting

equipment, personal protective equipment, etc.

• Too many “supervisors” (as defined by the

Occupational Health and Safety Act).

“The information from the orders will help members re-

alize that they’re not alone. There are similar issues and

infractions arising across all sectors,” noted Johnson.

To read the MOL orders, visit www.ona.org/orders. If

an inspector visits your workplace and leaves a report,

please scan a copy and e-mail it to [email protected].

An ONA Health and Safety Specialist will review and

select ones to post on the website.

(December 11, 2012 / 13:32:58)


Professional Practice

DECEMBER 2012 17

ONA Policy 16.16: Member Discipline Decisions On April 30, 2012, two hearings were held by a discipline committee of the Board of

Directors regarding complaints that two members were guilty of conduct detrimental

to the advancement of the purposes of/or reflecting discredit upon the union contrary

to Article 9 of the Constitution.

In both matters, the Board found that the members had engaged in activity that

was detrimental to the best interests of ONA and their Local. The Board suspended

their membership privileges.

Such suspensions mean the members cannot hold union office at the Local or

provincial level, and they cannot attend ONA meetings at the Local or provincial level.

As a member of the Bargaining Unit, they are permitted to attend ratification meetings

and to vote at those meetings. The affected Local executives have been notified of these

decisions.

Local and Bargaining Unit leaders are reminded that when conducting elections

and/or appointing for vacant positions to contact ONA to confirm the entitlement status

of the members involved.

College Verifies Importance of ONA Workload FormsONA has verified with the College of Nurses of

Ontario (CNO) that our Professional Responsibil-

ity Workload Report Forms (PRWRF) are an integral

part of a complaint review after a comment made

by a College representative left some members in

doubt.

During a recent College presentation at one of

our Bargaining Units, members commented that

they were fearful of losing their licences over work-

load concerns and were filling out PRWRFs to pro-

tect themselves, asking if the College felt this was

important. Members tell us the response was that

it was not, and that in a situation where an RN is

investigated, only documentation from the patient

chart is looked at, and if a complaint went to court,

the PRWRF would not be admitted. Members felt

the take away message was that these forms are

not worth the time or effort to complete.

ONA sought confirmation from the CNO that

these comments do not represent its position. The

College responded that its standards emphasize

that documentation in the client’s health record

is a critical component of providing safe client

care and demonstrates individual accountability

by providing a record of the nurse’s application of

the standards of practice. Where work situations

impact on the ability to provide safe and ethical

care, the College expects nurses to take appropri-

ate steps to advocate for a quality practice setting.

The College also noted that if a review or com-

plaint is made about nursing care, it collects infor-

mation from a variety of sources, including copies

of relevant documents such as the client health re-

cord, letters or e-mail correspondence, and hand-

written notes or statements. If relevant to nursing

practice, a completed PRWRF would also be col-

lected and reviewed.

So please continue to fill out your workload

forms; they really do make a difference!

(December 12, 2012 / 13:02:11)

79590-1 ona_frontlines dec2012 v8_p17rev.pdf .1

stUdeNt Affiliation pAY equity

DECEMBER 201218

PAY EQUITY ALERT!Keep Your Address Current with Former Employers!ONA is currently negotiating pay equity with virtually every ONA employer. These negotiations will last for some time. If you leave/or have left the employ of any employer since 2009, ensure your former employer is notified of your current address. If ONA successfully negotiates retroactive money, your past employer(s) will only be obligated to contact you at your last known address. It is your obligation to keep your ad-dress current.

Ontario Nurses’ Association

Our Union Respected Strong UnitedLinda Haslam-Stroud

ID 1122330

Hold on to Your Membership Card!

ONA Really Does Have Students’ Backs!canadian Nursing Students’ Association Ontario regional confer-

ence directors Vanna Kazazian (left) and Vikky Leung stand beside

images of nursing students, including Lueng, on an ONA display

board during their conference in late October. Under the theme

DIVE into Nursing: Diversity and Inclusivity Via Empowerment, the

conference, hosted by ryerson University’s daphne cockwell School

of Nursing at the marriott courtyard Hotel in Toronto, explored a

wide variety of topics, including mental health, homelessness, so-

cial media and political activism, as well as Aboriginal and LGbT-

TIQQ2SA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex,

queer, questioning, two-spirited and allies) communities. Several

speakers, including region 3 Vice-President Andy Summers and re-

gion 1 Vice-President diane Parker, and workshops explored various

topics, including how nurses can provide holistic and quality care in

a variety of community and health care settings. Students were also

given the opportunity to display and share their work, including re-

search projects, scholarly papers/publications, research posters and

nursing initiatives, with conference attendees. ONA handed out in-

formation about our services and answered questions at our booth,

which proved very popular among the students.

For those of you used to throwing out your ONA mem-

bership card at the end of each year, just a reminder that

the card you received in 2012 is permanent and should

be retained.

based on feedback from our members and leaders, in

2012 we issued permanent lifetime membership cards to

eligible members, meaning new cards will no longer be

distributed at the beginning of each year.

However, should you change your name or lose your

card, we will issue a replacement. To make such a request,

or if you have any other questions, contact ONA dues

and membership Intake at (416) 964-8833 (Toronto) or

(toll-free) 1-800-387-5580, ext. 2200 or

[email protected].

(December 11, 2012 / 13:33:01)


DECEMBER 2012 19

HUMAN RigHts and equity

Each year at the Human Rights and Equity

Caucus breakout sessions, ONA members

provide invaluable suggestions to promote

and move equity issues forward for our

membership.

With this feedback, we are able to assess

our areas of strength in representing our

members and areas that need improvement.

It allows us to confirm the specific forms of

discrimination and harassment that persist in

members’ workplaces and to identify new is-

sues and trends that need our attention.

How is Members’ Feedback Reviewed?The key messages and feedback from mem-

bers participating in the Caucus breakout

sessions are first reviewed for clarity by the

facilitators of the sessions, who are members

of the provincial Human Rights and Equity

Team. The information is collated and then

evaluated and reviewed in detail by all mem-

bers of the team. In fact, the team goes over

the information line by line, ensuring noth-

ing is overlooked.

How has Member Feedback Shaped the Work of the Union?There have been a number of strategies de-

veloped from members’ feedback aimed at

enhancing ONA’s representation in the areas

of human rights and equity. The team uses

these strategies to guide our work through-

out the coming term/year.

Currently, four strategies are in place:

• Increase members’ awareness and access

to human rights and equity resources and

education.

• Increase and promote the human rights

and equity profile with membership using

technology.

• Increase membership engagement in the

area of human rights and equity.

• Develop leadership skills on the Human

Rights and Equity Team.

Using members’ suggestions and input from

the team, tactics are developed to support

these strategies. For example, each issue of

Front Lines has a dedicated article on human

rights issues. This year, we educated members

about sexual assault in the workplace; pro-

vided highlights of ONA’s participation in the

Ontario Human Rights Commission’s policy

consultation on mental illness and addictions

in the workplace; and reviewed the basics of

attendance management programs and the

employer’s human rights obligations.

It is thanks to your suggestions that the

Human Rights and Equity Bulletin was devel-

oped and published for all members. The

bulletins have been a huge success and a

great resource.

We know from your feedback that edu-

cation is always a priority and a key message

from members in all five equity groups and

members who are Friends and Allies. In 2012,

the Human Rights and Equity Team brought

members three provincial teleconnects. Partic-

ipants received core education on their human

rights and the employer’s legal obligations,

practical strategies for immediate implemen-

tation, and opportunities to pose questions to

ONA’s specialists in the following areas:

• Bullying in the workplace.

• Putting the brakes on attendance man-

agement: What is permissible?

• Understanding and respecting genera-

tional differences among health care pro-

fessionals.

Also based on membership feedback, six hu-

man rights and equity education sessions

were developed and are delivered by ONA’s

Provincial Education Coordination Team:

• Obligations in Representing Members un-

der the Human Rights Code.

• Basic Introduction to the Human Rights

Code.

• Harassment, Mobbing and Bullying.

• Violence in the Workplace.

• Supporting Members with Addictions.

• Duty to Accommodate.

The role of the Bargaining Unit Human Rights

and Equity Representative continues to grow

as members share their knowledge and ex-

perience in the role and the importance of

diversity in their workplaces.

Return to work (RTW) issues are on the

rise and the equity group representing Mem-

bers with Disabilities suggested that more

support was required. As a result, a RTW Spe-

cialist is now part of Team ONA and we are

in the process of creating a RTW Network,

which will be comprised of servicing Labour

Relations Officers.

Keep Your Feedback Coming!Your feedback will continue to assist in devel-

oping ONA into a leader in representing our

diverse membership, and we encourage you

to provide us with your ideas and suggestions

at any time. Your comments can be forwarded

to the Human Rights and Equity Team at e-

mail: [email protected]; tel. (416) 964-1979

or (toll-free) 1-800-387-5580 (press 0 and

follow the operator’s prompts to access the

voicemail boxes for English (7768) or Region 3

Vice-President Andy Summers, who holds the

human rights and equity portfolio (7754).

This is just another example of how ONA

is listening to your needs and responding to

them appropriately!

We’re Listening! Acting on Your HR&E Feedback

(December 11, 2012 / 13:33:03)


DECEMBER 201220

The following is a sampling of recent key awards and/or decisions in one or more of the following areas: rights arbitration, interest arbitration, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Ontario Labour Relations Board.

AwARds ANd deCisiONs: the work of our Union!

RightsLTD carrier cannot offset amount of HOOPP disability benefits for nurse who opts for free accrualONA and Timmins district Hospital

(Arbitrator William Marcotte, October 9,

2012)

This is the second case that ONA has argued

and won regarding the deemed offset of

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

disability benefits from long-term disability

(LTD).

The grievor suffered a brain tumour and

had been off work since February 2009. She

was approved for LTD benefits in September

of that year.

Beginning in September 2011, the LTD

carrier began threatening the grievor that

if she did not apply for disability benefits

under the hospital’s pension plan (HOOPP),

it would begin deducting or offsetting an

amount equivalent to those benefits from

her monthly LTD. The grievor applied for

HOOPP disability benefits and was given the

option to either accept the benefit or contin-

ue to receive free accrual. Under the advice of

ONA, the grievor opted for free accrual. The

grievor also applied for and began receiving

CPP disability benefits, which were properly

deducted from her LTD.

In March 2012, the LTD carrier began

offsetting the estimated HOOPP disability

benefit, which was equivalent to $1,035 per

month. ONA filed a grievance and expedited

it to arbitration.

At the hearing, ONA made similar argu-

ments to the ones raised in the Cambridge

Memorial Hospital case. The hospital called

an expert witness to testify that deemed off-

sets were a normal feature in the insurance

industry. The hospital also pointed to the

language of the 1980 Hospitals of Ontario

Disability Income Plan (HOODIP) brochure,

which provides that the amount of LTD ben-

efits payable are less than the amount of dis-

ability payments “available to the member”

under her/his employer’s pension plan.

The arbitrator agreed with ONA that

the words “available to the member” in

the HOODIP brochure was ambiguous and

should not be interpreted in favour of the

insurance company. To receive HOOPP dis-

ability benefits, the member must end her

employment relationship. The arbitrator sur-

mised that by ending her employment rela-

tionship, she would lose a significant benefit,

which was never the intent of the parties.

Accordingly, the arbitrator concluded that

HOOPP disability benefits were not “avail-

able” to her for the purposes of LTD offset,

and ruled that the insurance carrier could not

properly offset that amount.

wsiBCase underscores need for immediate reporting, value of good witnesses east Hospital

(October 19, 2012)

This ONA win is from the Workplace Safety

and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT), the

highest level of appeal of WSIB decisions.

In 2006, a 38-year-old part-time nurse

suffered a cervical injury when transferring

a dead weight patient from a walker/chair to

bed in the adult psychiatry department. The

worker didn’t report the incident until 13 days

later when her symptoms had progressed to

total disability. WSIB denied the claim be-

cause there was “no proof of accident.”

Witness statements from the nurse who

assisted in the transfer and the worker’s part-

ner, to whom she complained when she fin-

ished her shift, corroborated her claim. The

employer did not dispute that the particular

patient to whom she was assigned was very

difficult, as he also suffered from Parkinson’s

disease and required a great deal of personal

care. The witnesses confirmed that at the

time of the incident, the personal support

workers who were responsible for the per-

sonal care needs of the patients were not

present on the unit.

ONA also obtained evidence that the

worker’s symptoms did not progress as

quickly as would be expected because the

day after the incident she became bed-rid-

den with a chest cold and, in fact, called in

sick for her next scheduled shift. Her neck

symptoms continued, but were mild com-

pared to the chest cold for which she visited

the emergency department (to see if she

needed antibiotics).

It wasn’t until she had returned to her

regular duties on day shift that her symptoms

(December 11, 2012 / 13:33:04)


DECEMBER 2012 21

worsened to the point she sought medical

attention. Her physician ordered her off work

immediately and referred her to a physiatrist

and a neurologist, and for an MRI. By the time

she saw the neurologist two months later,

she had been “diagnosed” as pregnant and

was ordered off work completely until after

the pregnancy due to possible catastrophic

injury that could occur because of her cervi-

cal spine instability. ONA obtained medical

reports from the worker’s physician and spe-

cialists and referred her to the Occupational

Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, which

provided confirmation of the compatibility

of the injury with the mechanics of the lift.

The WSIB Appeals Resolution Officer de-

nied the appeal because of the delay in re-

porting. ONA took the file to WSIAT, where

the panel found the worker’s testimony to be

credible and consistent with all the medical

reports, her own reporting, and statements

made at the time of the injury. They agreed

with ONA that the delay in reporting should

not disentitle the worker, as the consistency

of her statements and the medical confirma-

tion of compatibility show that the neck in-

jury was work-related.

Now that the worker has initial entitle-

ment, further claims must be made for psy-

chiatric disability due to the injury, perma-

nent impairment and further submissions

to the WSIB on level of impairment, as it will

have to decide the amount of benefits. While

the worker has learned to manage her life

with the physical injury, she has suffered se-

vere psychological impact from it.

Importance to ONA: This is a win for

ONA, and while the nurse must continue to

seek all proper entitlements from WSIB, her

claim has been allowed. This case under-

scores the need for immediate reporting and

the value of good witnesses. Our members

must report all incidents to protect them-

selves, and to avoid the protracted argu-

ments at all levels of the WSIB.

SG_JI_ONA_2.6x10.25_Nov11_FINAL_NEW.ai 1 04/11/

ltdCarrier allegations unfoundedHospital, region 5

(August 18, 2011)

Following work-related musculo-skeletal

injuries, a member suffered from atypi-

cal pain and multi-focal limited range of

motion problems. She consulted with a

physiatrist in the fall of 2009. Throughout

that year, the claimant returned to work

with multiple restrictions.

Subsequently, the carrier stopped

paying long-term disability benefits, re-

lying on the opinion of a non-physician

health practitioner that she was “fit to re-

turn to modified work.”

Documentation obtained from a

health care practitioner of the carrier’s

choice was deemed irrefutable despite

medical evidence from her physicians

that supported her claim. A strained, non-

therapeutic patient-practitioner relation-

ship influenced what the union argued

was a clearly non-objective and gender-

biased report.

The carrier alluded to malingering

and non-compliance with recommended

treatment. Diagnostic testing and a neu-

rosurgical consultation confirmed the

existence of a significant congenital spi-

nal cord as well as secondary spinal cord

deformity and disc herniation. The claim-

ant’s Occupational Health file revealed

that she had sought medical intervention

for thoracic and lower back pain on nu-

merous occasions throughout her em-

ployment with the hospital. A functional

abilities evaluation confirmed her inabil-

ity to function efficiently, effectively and

safely in her pre-disability occupation.

Benefits were reinstated, and the

claimant has now been back at work for

nearly two years.

(December 11, 2012 / 13:33:06)


DECEMBER 201222

(December 11, 2012 / 13:33:08)


DECEMBER 2012 23

(December 11, 2012 / 13:33:09)


ONTArIO NUrSeS’ ASSOcIATION

85 Grenville St., Ste. 400

Toronto ON M5S 3A2

(December 11, 2012 / 13:33:10)


ONA Front Lines December 2012

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