Use of agency workers violated collective agreement: arbitrator
This week’s edition of who is saying what about public health care is compiled by Pat Van Horne.
Arbitration decision says widespread use of agency nurses and personal support workers a violation of collective agreement
“The ruling confirms the obvious but unacknowledged truth: paying under-qualified and outsourced personnel more than what you pay your own employees, for doing the exact same work, is toxic to labour relations,” stated labour lawyer Wassim Garzouzi, who represented CUPE Local 5441 in an arbitration with employer Unity Health Toronto.
“The hospital trained these agency workers. They wear the same badges. They have access to our system. They work alongside us. … This is about privatizing our health care. It’s so sad because a lot of these people could have been our colleagues,” said Rahel Woldeselassie, former president of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 5441, Toronto Star, January 25, 2025
Alberta Medical Association says UCP document contains misinformation
“It speaks against the broadest and most diligent international scientific collaboration and consensus in history.… Science and evidence brought us through [the pandemic] and saved millions of lives. . . (The report) criticizes proven preventive public health measures while advancing fringe approaches. It makes recommendations for the future that have real potential to cause harm,” said Dr. Shelley Duggan, president of the Alberta Medical Association, in a statement about a $2-million Alberta government report that calls for the province to “immediately halt” the use of all COVID-19 vaccines, CBC, January 27, 2025. Read more in Global News.
Manitoba nurses object to being ‘delivery’ personnel for home care medical supplies
“It is a workplace health and safety issue… but it’s also an issue of respecting that they are skilled and experienced and know exactly what needs to be done for the client . . .I think it’s disrespectful.”—said Darlene Jackson, president, Manitoba Nurses Union . . . We are exhausted going to work. We are petrified we’re going to make mistakes or we’re going to miss something. . .The home-care nurse wears many hats, and now they want us to be delivery personnel,” said a nurse, who already sees 15 to 25 clients each day, to the Winnipeg Free Press, January 28, 2025
Canadians should be concerned about US exit from World Health Organization
“If our biggest and best neighbour is not a member of WHO, that makes the world, the United States and Canada less safe from pandemics like the one we just went through. . . Experts estimate there’s a 50-per-cent chance that a COVID-scale pandemic will happen between now and 2050. We have to be prepared for that . . . This is a signal for the Canadian government, and governments around the world, to strengthen their own public health response and prepare for a weakened WHO.” — said Dr. Peter Singer, who was special adviser to the WHO director general between 2017 and 2023; Singer is also a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, CBC, January 24, 2025. Read more on this here, from The Tyee, January 27, 2025
Primary care commitment in Ontario: Conservatives say it’s not a last-minute election promise
“Ontario is embarking on a historic opportunity to build a primary care system where the guarantee of access to a primary care team is as automatic as a child being assigned to a school in their community . . . This plan is ambitious, and the changes won’t happen overnight,” said former federal health minister, Dr. Jane Philpott, to CBC, January 27, 2025
Progress on the Seven Calls to Action on Indigenous Health from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Athabasca University
“These courses represent an important step forward in the ongoing work of conciliation and improving Indigenous health in Canada. . .Our goal is to not only educate but to empower individuals to take meaningful action in creating more inclusive and equitable health care systems. These courses are a direct response to the urgent need for Indigenous-led development of cultural safety training and learning materials,” said Priscilla Campeau, associate vice-president, Indigenous conciliation at AU, Town and Country News, January 28, 2025
Canadian Medical Association survey claims people looking for medical advice online
“37% of Canadians say poor access to health care and information has led them to trying medical advice found online . . .31% have taken medical advice found online instead of advice received from a medical professional. . .23% have had an adverse reaction or negative health impact from following health advice found online,” reported The Laker News, on a survey for the Canadian Medical Association by Abacus Data, January 25, 2025
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