ATTENTION MEMBERS : A NEW LEARNING SYSTEM IS COMING SOON TO SPECTRUM HEALTHCARE!!!

We encourage our members to participate in the new learning system coming soon to Spectrum Healthcare. This initiative was the result of members expressing keen interest to grow both professionally and personally in the latest IGNITE POLL sent out by the employer.

This learning system will enable you to pursue interests and help you grow in all aspects of your life. It can also help set some professional development goals outside of work.

Please check your Spectrum Healthcare email to complete the 1 question poll to tell about your personal interests and areas you would like to explore in terms of learning goals.

SPECTRUM HEALTHCARE’S GIFTING POLICY

In an announcement made on July 26, 2023 Spectrum Healthcare made clear it’s gifting policy, as there were an increasing number of disciplinary actions taken, with regards to it’s members receiving and accepting gifts.

In this announcement it was categorically mentioned that taking gifts of money and/or items from patients is against Spectrums Company Policies and Procedures. This includes borrowing money and or items, even with the full intent to return the same.

The College of Nurses Ontario, specifically mentions that Nurses cannot accept/borrow money or gifts as it goes against their code of ethics.

With this in mind we urge our members to follow the policies laid down by the employer Spectrum Healthcare as it will involve strict disciplinary action,

REFUGEE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

LL1231 asks you to give generously to a good cause. Emergency assistance is required to help refugees in dire need of help. Details in the poster below.

A famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi springs to mind here: ‘the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.’ Let us not fail our brothers and sisters in need.

OPCM (Ontario Provincial Council of Machinists) Convention convenes after 3 long years

The OPCM held it’s 59th Annual convention in Ajax Ontario, after 3 long years, due to the Pandemic. They covered a diverse range of topics ranging from organizing, mentorship, political action and choosing a new executive board .

Increasing diversity in IAM was clearly reflected in the inclusion of more women and people of visible minorities.

It was wonderful to see how many of the attendees were first time delegates due to the special efforts and inclusionary measures of District 78.

Many presentations were made, including one done by the IAM Canada General Vice President David Chartrand who spoke about the many new initiatives being promoted by the IAM across North America.

Some pictures of the event.

Some of the LL1231 members who attended the convention, shared their experiences and were happy to bring the knowledge and skills they gained, back with them, to share with our fellow members.

Said Liza Thambaiah, Secretary Treasurer of LL1231, ” There was almost a 100 delegates and guests in attendance. I was excited since this was my first OPCM Convention, but there were many first time delegates with recognizable faces as well.”

Liza goes on to say ” Some of the highlights of the convention were Ivana Saula’s presentation outlining the LEADS program which helps to empower women in the IAM, to step into leadership roles within the union. The GVP DAVE CHARTRAND and Gord Falconer emphasized the need to engage with members, updating lodges bylaws to include virtual meetings and encourage members involvement in Political Action. Rootisha Rampat District Lodge organizer gave a comprehensive presentation on organizing at the district and the importance of increasing union membership. Some of the new executive board members elected to preside for the next three years included Nesha Ramdeen our LL1231 Vice President as Educator and Heather Johnston as Communicator.”

Liza concludes by saying, that she is extremely grateful for being afforded the opportunity to attend the OPCM convention as it was educational, inspiring and fun.

Lystra Mohammed Trustee of LL1231 says she learned a lot about contract flipping at the Canadian Office. GVP Dave Chatrand’s speech made her extremely enthusiastic to be actively involved in the IAM. Also impressive was the presentation done by Ivana Saula on AI and what impact it will have on our members. She says the highlight for her was hearing our very own Rootisha Rampat Organizer at the District 78 talk about how she gets her leads.

Recording secretary Marcia Stone, says that the convention was educational and the speakers spoke on a multitude of ways to bring about positive changes in the IAM. She had a lot of her questions answered at the OPCM Convention and overall had a great experience.

Trustee Joshua Tunde narrates that the OPCM was an eye opener for him. He got to know how the Union operates at the provincial level. He gained a wealth of knowledge on a variety of topics including AI and its probable negative impact on workers. Also discussed was the importance of incorporating a safe guide on the use of technical language in forthcoming negotiations. He says the convention was relaxing and educational.

The Executive board of LL1231, it’s members and the delegates who attended the event, want to thank the organizers, District 78 and all those who participated in the convention for making it truly memorable for them.

MEMBER OF THE MONTH

Susanna Duncan is our member of the month for June!

Congratulations Susanna!

Originally from Georgetown Guyana, and a dental hygienist with more than 8years of practise, she is now a Personal Support Worker and union steward with Spectrum Healthcare. We are proud and happy to have her as a member of our team.

Susanna is empathetic, compassionate, caring and loving, some of the adjectives her co-workers use to describe her. She has strong values of teamwork, leadership and communication. In her spare time she enjoys listening to music and reading.

Her favourite quote is by Maya Angelou…”My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, compassion, humour and style.”

Thank you Susanna for your hard work and team spirit!

REPORT OF THE 30TH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF THE CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) held it’s 30th Constitutional convention in Montreal.

Unions that were affiliated to the CLC gathered together to participate in the vision of “Lifting Everyone Up.”

What is the purpose of conventions, one may ask…

Conventions are the place where plans are proposed, discussed and resolutions are passed which direct the course of policies that are on the way to be newly implemented. They could also be the place where changes are made to existing policies which determine the shape of the constitution for Canada’s largest labour group.

The important decision reached was the unanimous endorsement of Team Unite for the leadership of the CLC, supporting Bea Bruske, Lily Change, Siobhan Vipond and Larry Rousseau.

Many in the IAM delegation were first time attendees eager to learn how conventions work and how their input can formulate and implement policies to guide the labour movement fighting against conservative agendas.

Our IAM members from Local Lodge 1231 spoke passionately on the Care Economy Action Plan and shared their thoughts and experiences as healthcare workers particularly during the time on COVID 19.

Some pictures of the event.

Executive board members, Secretary Treasurer Liza Thambaiah, President Merry St. Barnard and Vice President Nesha Ramdeen with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.

Recording Secretary Marcia Stone, Nesha Ramdeen , Liza Thambaiah and Merry St. Bernard at the convention hall.

I am sharing a thorough comprehensive report written by our accomplished Secretary treasurer Liza Thambaiah down below :

The 30th Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress started off with an invigorating performance by Julie Black. She performed Solidarity forever the unionist theme song in her authentic fashion.  Independent first nation’s leader Alan Harrington and Jagmeet Singh were all speakers at the opening ceremony.
Beau Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress addressed the delegates and welcomed a contingency of over 2000 participants from unions and affiliates from a cross section of Canada. The IAMAW was well represented with about 50 members in attendance.  The President reminded us of the Theme of the convention “Lifting everyone up”. The mayor of Montreal Valerie Plante also welcomed us to the town.

Some Action Plans that were tabled included, affordability, Indigenous, climate crisis, care economy, building up Canada and organizing. Plans and resolutions were vigorously debated on the floor by passionate union members, especially on subjects of the care economy, Indigenous rights and freedoms and combating racism and hate inside the unions and in society.  Many members shared personal experiences with so much emotion that I was brought to tears. 

Some keynote speakers included, Romeo Saganash Cree leader and indigenous rights advocate, Jagmeet Singh N.D.P. leader, Chris Smalls President of Amazon’s newly founded labour union in Staten Island. New York who gave a sensational speech on how he formed the union. There was also a roundtable discussion on the care economy that I found extremely informative and moving.  A video was presented on the topic and LL1231 had Dorine Agendia as a participant and she outlined the challenges of being a nurse working in the community.  She was very eloquent and articulate in her presentation.

I was elated to have been giving the opportunity to participate in the Workers of Colour caucus and election. The experience was one of my major highlights of the convention. I helped to vote in two new Vice Presidents and two alternates. They are Jordan Forde CUPW union, Venessa Sharma, Alternates;- Robert Deonarine and Muna De Ciman.  They are all excellent leaders and I am confident that they will work diligently on issues pertaining to Workers of Colour.   All current members of the C.L.C. were re-elected to their posts, President Beau Bruske, Vice President Larry Rousseau, Vice President Siobhan Vipond and Secretary-Treasurer Lilly Chang.

We all took to the streets of downtown Montreal and marched in solidarity for all issues that negatively affect workers.  I came away from the convention with so many new friends, also with renewed commitment to help push the C.L.C’s mandate of lifting everyone up by lobbying, encouraging and engaging members in the fight so we can gain a better standard of living for all workers and their families and build a better stronger Canada together. “UNION STRONG”

Our LL1231 President Merry St. Bernard said ” The Canadian Labour Congress was my first one. The experience was great. It was well organized and structured to everyone’s needs. At the New Delegates orientation we learned the Code of Conduct rules and procedures on how to vote. At the Indigenous Worker Caucus I learned a new word NU-EECH-EE-WAGAN. When we walked the streets of Montreal we demonstrated that when workers organize together, we lift everyone UP!”

Recording Secretary Marcia Stone, was convinced by attending the CLC in Montreal that when workers organize, they demonstrate a show of strength and solidarity and they uplift each other.

Vice President Nesha Ramdeen, said there were about 2000 plus delegates gathered together from across Canada, to discuss a variety of resolutions, to make changes in the Constitution, in order to make the lives of union members better in the workplace.

The various issues that workers face range from lack of respect in the workplace, Racism, Discrimination, Decreasing Housing Affordability, Poor Benefits to name a few. These issues are addressed in these conventions, resolutions are passed to reflect in the constitution and thereby changes can be made, to better Working conditions and create fair and equal opportunities for all members.

The Executive board members who attended the Convention would like to express their gratitude to The GVP office members who chaperoned and guided them through their first CLC convention.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE SURVEY BELOW!

Your feedback is needed to advocate for you, at both the bargaining table and in lobbying with Government.

By filling out this survey you can help us to better understand your needs and we could also, see through your eyes, your working conditions, challenges that you face on the job and important core issues that need to be addressed in the workplace.

Please use this as an opportunity to improve your work life and that of your colleagues as well.

As GVP Dave Chartrand said “In order to advocate for our members, both at the bargaining table and through lobbying efforts and to understand the needs of our members, we need to gain an insight into the work conditions, challenges, and issues confronting members throughout the various sectors the IAM represents”.

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Thank you in advance for participating in this survey.