IAM Spectrum

National Nursing Week is May 6-12, 2024, and this year’s theme is Changing Lives. Shaping Tomorrow.

This theme has especially been chosen to acknowledge and celebrate the integral role that our nurses play in changing the lives of their patients and in turn society, shaping for us all, a better tomorrow.

We commemorate and celebrate these pillars of our society, who through their care, compassion, expertise, sacrifices, dedication and hard work have changed the face of Healthcare, in hospitals, Institutions, nursing homes, community care and care facilities.

Our special thanks to our Spectrum Healthcare Nurses, who go above and beyond the call of duty to care for their patients, and make us all so proud.

Kudos to you!

Picture Credits : Canadian Nurses Association

IAM District 78 | May 8,2024

Ben Erhuns Osakue has been appointed to the position of Business Representative at District Lodge 78, marking history as the first African Canadian male to hold any servicing position in the IAM in Canada.

Born in Nigeria, he moved to West Germany and then to Canada. With 34 years of experience in the healthcare industry, he has worked in various positions such as healthcare aid (PSW), RPN, and RN in different healthcare facilities.

In 1999 Osakue joined the Spectrum Health Care team and held several different positions there- leading him to his union involvement, at a local level on the negotiation committee, as a steward for the nurses and at the district lodge as Central Chairperson. He also served as Conductor Sentinel and Educator.

Appointed by Directing Business Representative of DL78, Eric Johnston, Osakue is completing the remainder of retired representative Jim Snider’s term. “Osakue was appointed to the position after years of loyalty, dedication, and hard work as central chairperson. Osakue’s steadfast commitment to the membership’s needs has more than prepared him for the position.” Eric Johnston commented.

For more information:

Eric Johnston,

IAM District 78

Directing Business Representative

Post Credit : Machinist News

The Social Committee is organizing an outdoor picnic and a day of fun and games on the 13th of July, 2024 at West Deane Park.

Please join us with your family and let’s get to know each other better. As parking is limited, we suggest you take public transport or car pool to the picnic location.

PLEASE MARK THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!!

By all accounts it was the best symposium ever. The symposium which was held at the the Winpisinger Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, Maryland was graced by the IAM International President Brian Bryant in a surprise visit. He thanked the Canadian IAM activists who were present and congratulated them for the amazing work they were doing for Canadian Politics.

CANADIAN IAM ACTIVISTS AT THE WINPISINGER EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER, THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE 10TH CANADIAN POLITICAL ACTION SYMPOSIUM.

IAMAW International President Brian Bryant addressing participants

“Engaging our members is crucial because it affects our working lives. This means it affects our families and our home lives.” these are the words of the Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand who was also present at the symposium. He stressed on the importance of political activism, in light of the upcoming federal elections in 2025.

IAMAW Canadian General Vice President David Chartrand talking to the Canadian Activists.

Derek Ferguson, IAM Canadian GLR for Political Action, said, “80 IAM political activists from all over Canada gathered at the W3 where we developed and improved our communication strategies and member mobilization plans in the lead up to the 2025 federal election. Together we will make a difference!” Ferguson has held the Canadian Political Action portfolio for five years and has attend every single Symposium.

There were interactive break-out sessions, where participants learned how to create Political plans and implementation strategies, gaining valuable knowledge and insights which they will take back to their local lodges. Our Local Lodge 1231 Vice President Kirendeep Grewal, Trustee Dorine Agendia and Peel Chief Steward Marene Robinson, made presentations to the larger groups after these sessions.

LOCAL LODGE 1231 VICE PRESIDENT KIRENDEEP GREWAL MAKING HER PRESENTATION

LOCAL LODGE 1231 TRUSTEE, DORINE AGENDIA IN ACTION

LOCAL LODGE 1231 CHIEF STEWARD OF PEEL, MARENE ROBINSON ADDRESSING PARTICIPANTS

“It was a fantastic symposium that taught us how to break down a campaign and get started.” said IAM DL 78 communicator Heather Johnston. ” We were energized to engage our Local Lodge members into getting involved in politics in our area, because without using your voice, you are just an echo.” She also made a special mention about Facilitators, Laurie Antonin and Brent Farrington from the CLC(Canadian Labour Congress), who were amazing and made the learning fun and easy to understand.

At the last Union meeting held on Thursday March 21st, 2024, the New Officers of the LL1231 Executive Board were sworn in by Kim Valliere, IAM’s Special Representative for Canada

The executive board members sworn in were :

Vice President – Kirendeep Grewal

Secretary Treasurer – Lystra Mohammed

Educator – Melissa McRonney-Apaw

Trustees – Valencia Whint, Dorine Agendia

Secretary Treasurer Lystra Mohammed and Vice President Kirendeep Grewal taking the oath of office

In the picture, Trustees Valencia Whint, Educator Melissa McRonney-Apaw and Dorine Agendia, Recording Secretary Lystra Mohammed and Vice President Kirendeep Grewal taking the oath of office with IAM’s Special Representative for Canada Kim Valliere

In a show of solidarity and unity, 38 sisters from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas, representing their Local Lodges and the IAMAW, attended the fundraiser organized by the Peel Region Labour Council.

IAMAW is becoming a force to reckon with, as it’s numbers are increasing and it’s influence extending to all areas of labour and government.

The first time attendees were inspired and deeply impacted by their peers, many of whom have broken the glass ceiling. They were ‘fired and wired’ and as Ivana Soula, Research Director and Women and Human Rights Representative. eloquently articulated ““It was great to see members quickly jump into action and lend their support. They will take back what they’ve learned here and will share with members of their locals. That is how we all learn and we all grow.”

The fundraiser raised funds for Hope 24/7, Embrace, Courage Peel and United Way, all providing essential services for women.

The event takes place yearly and is organized by the Peel Region Labour Council, OFL and the CLC.

Canada is seeing an increase in measles activity compared to 2023. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus which can cause serious health risks and challenges.

Symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after being infected with the measles virus. People infected with measles can spread it to others before they have symptoms.

Initial symptoms include:

fever
cough
runny nose
red, watery eyes
Small, white spots may appear inside the mouth and throat 2 to 3 days after symptoms begin.

About 3 to 7 days after symptoms begin, a rash that looks like small red spots:

develops on the face
spreads down the body, arms and legs
The rash can last 4 to 7 days.

Most people recover from measles within 2 or 3 weeks.

Common complications from measles include:

ear infection
pneumonia
diarrhea

Severe complications, while rare, can result from a measles infection, such as:

respiratory failure
inflammation and swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
death

Long-term complications of encephalitis can include:

blindness
deafness
intellectual disability

Measles can easily be spread to individuals who have not been previously infected or immunized against measles.

The virus is spread through the air and by contact with respiratory secretions from the nose and mouth. It can be prevented with vaccination.

It’s very important to diagnose measles early to help prevent it from spreading to other people.

Health care providers may suspect measles based on your symptoms and your possible exposure to the virus. For example, they may ask you if:

you’re aware of an outbreak in your community
you’ve had exposure to someone with measles
you’ve recently travelled to a place where measles is present

A health care provider will likely collect a sample to confirm the diagnosis with a lab test, which may include:

a blood test
a urine test
swabs from the back of your nose or throat

Your employer Spectrum Healthcare has asked you to follow the guidelines mentioned below :

If you suspect a patient may be infected, please follow these steps:

Wear PPE – mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection
Perform hand hygiene
Notify the Spectrum office
Notify Public Health

Also they have asked you to complete the Point of Care Risk assessment with the patient prior to beginning care.

Thank you for your attention and your continued dedication and following of “best practises” related to your work.

BE SAFE!!!

Credits : Government of Canada Website

Please note that there will be no supplies/PPE pick up available at the Toronto office on Monday March 25th, 2024, for Toronto Branch Staff. However the Scarborough Remote site will be open as per its regular hours.

YOU ARE ALL OUR SUPERSTARS! WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOU.

On International Women’s day March 8th, 2024, District 78 held a Women’s Committee training, conducted by the IAM Canada’s Director of Research and Human Rights Representative Ivana Saula.

The attendees that were sisters from district 78 Locals: 1231, 2113, 1295, 907 and 901 were introduced to a wide range of topics from Women’s History in the labour movement and the important role that women in particular played, and how women’s issues have presented themselves over the years, continuing into the present day. There is not enough clarity when it comes to understanding what women’s issues are for some, but knowing what this comprises, can create a clear picture as to the ways in which women shaped unions into organizations we know today. As Ivana Saula eloquently articulates, “Understanding our past allows us to appreciate our progress and understand that some of the issues women fought for have been a battle for as long as women have been part of the workforce.”

Women have always been active members of the workforce and proved that they could be strong allies of the union.

The attendees were provided training on policies pertaining to women’s committees, roles and responsibilities, objectives, how to create an action plan, how to garner interest to get women more involved in committees e.g. talking about what they would like to see on the agendas, issues that can mobilize like employment equity, pay equity, child care, birth control, sexual harassment etc.

Additionally a blue print on how to set up a Calendar for hosting different activities monthly was discussed.

The training was comprehensive and thorough, giving attendees ideas on how to run their women’s committees successfully in the future.

The vision is for Women’s Committees to have more to offer the membership rather than just bake sales and fundraisers, but going forward play an integral role in the union. Keeping this in mind the end goal was to provide training to the sisters to take the knowledge that they received and engage the membership in developing and supporting the women’s committees with their locals. This in turn would broaden the reach of these committees and expand their scope.

Committees are essential to the growth, and development of the Union and have an important role to play in the success of the Union and the wellbeing of it’s membership.

Congratulations Vivianne Simon! You have shattered the glass ceiling!

On March 9, 2023, History was made when Vivianne Simon, the first woman of colour to hold such a position, and the second woman to become a service representative, was acclaimed to the position of Business Representative at IAM District 78.

Vivianne’s career started in the healthcare sector at the Ukrainian Canada Care Centre, wherein she helped organize her workplace, eventually becoming the Chief Steward.

She later went on to get involved in a mentoring program at her workplace, under the guidance of her mentor Kim Valliere. She appreciates and acknowledges the IAM’s mentoring program role in her professional development.

As a lover of truth, fairness, knowledge and equity, the IAM provided the platform she needed to actively promote these values, through the various committees like the Women’s Committee, Human Rights Committee and the Workers of Colour Committee.

Vivianne Simon has shown us through her shining example, that Women of Colour, can break barriers and overcome challenges. The Union’s strength in Knowledge and Solidarity is the perfect medium and breeding ground to give members an opportunity to grow, create opportunities for advancement for the individual and group, advocate for their rights without fear of reprisal and have the perfect work/life balance necessary for every individual.

Vivianne hopes to see many more women, and women of colour, join her on this incredible journey of representing the members of the IAM.

Kudos to you Vivianne Simon!

I end with a quote from the quintessential, powerful black woman, the First Lady Michelle Obama ” I am coming down from the mountaintop, to tell every young person that is poor and working class, and has been told regardless of the colour of your skin that you don’t belong, don’t listen to them. They don’t even know how they got at those seats.”