The IAM District 78 and members of LOCAL LODGE 1231 will be participating in the Labour day Parade on Monday, September 4, 2023. Bring your families to show your solidarity with Workers in the United States and Canada. Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.
Please email our Recording Secretary Sister Marcia Stone, at the earliest, to order your t-shirts . Her email is marciastone60@gmail.com Mention your size and quantity required. ORDER EARLY AS THERE IS LIMITED STOCK!
4 Members of the 1231 Women’s Committee took the donation from the Local Lodge plus some personal donations to the Beautiful Foundation. This organization is supporting over 300 Refugees at two different locations. The donation that was taken was Personal Care items. Speaking with Pastor Yvonne, she stated that for our ongoing collection they needed sweaters, light jackets, socks, hats/mitts to gear up for the fall weather as well as shoes size 10+ for both men and women. They are also in need of body lotion.
They were extremely grateful for Local Lodge 1231’s donation! It will go a long way in helping those in need. Our Current Collection will continue until the end of September. Donations can be left at the DL78 office.
Two of the gentleman from the centre, Heather Johnston, Jen Vuurman, Marcia Stone, Rai Sagar, Pastor Yvonne
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.
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,
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.
There have been changes to the scope of practise from the CNO. These changes will be in effect from the 1st of July, 2023. Please click on the link below to gain access to this information.
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.
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!
