Unifor Local 302 President’s Report - January 24, 2022
Once again, we are seeing a surge in COVID-19 outbreaks throughout the province. According to the Ontario Health Coalition there are more than 4,000 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals throughout Ontario. 594 patients are in ICUs. This is at its highest point since the beginning of the pandemic. In an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant the Ontario government accelerated its booster dose roll out. Individuals who are aged 18 and over are eligible to schedule their booster dose appointments. These appointments can be booked three months (84 days) after a second dose.
In December the province mandated that all staff caring for a resident with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 are to wear a fit -tested, seal-checked N95 respirator. We have heard from some facilities that the Employer is having difficulty obtaining the proper amounts of PPE. If this is happening in your facility reach out to your Local representative so that we can ensure you are properly protected.
On December 17 the provincial government introduced a 50 percent capacity limit in restaurants, personal care services, gyms, and retail. The province quickly pivoted to a modified step two on January 5. This modification caused the closing of gyms, restaurants, cinemas, and gambling establishments throughout the province. Our school system moved to remote learning until January 17.
Effective January 31 Ontario will begin the process of gradually easing these restrictions throughout February and March. However, effective March 14 we will see the following capacity limits lifted:
• Lifting capacity limits in all indoor public setting
• Lifting capacity limits on religious services, rites, or ceremonies
• Increase social gathering limits to 50 people indoors with no limits for outdoor gatherings
This will allow us to start our job actions that we had previously planned for the Group of 11. Once dates have been set, we will let everyone know.
Last fall the Union created an RPN working group with members from across the province. Unifor Local 302 is represented by Meghan Campbell (Trillium Villa LTC) and Mandy Bowen (Tillsonburg District Hospital). They are working hard at having Bill 124 repealed and demanding a standardized wage for RPN’s across the province. The National Union also created a video highlighting the role RPN’s play in our healthcare system. You can watch the video on the Unifor website www.unfor.org “Registered Practical Nurses fighting for fair compensation”. After you watch the video, we would ask that you take the time to sign the petition.
There will be a provincial election in June of this year. Everyone of us has been impacted by the poor decisions this government has made. We need to ensure the Conservatives are not in power after our next election and if they are at least push them to a minority government.
We are proud to announce that we will once again be offering five educational scholarships of $1,000.00 each, 4 to children of Local 302 members in good standing and one may be offered to a Local 302 member. All must be enrolled in a fulltime program at a university, college, or technical institute for the 2022 fall/winter semester. Please contact Carla Little at 519-951-0302 to have an application sent to you.
The Ontario Regional Council will be going virtual due to the COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. We have registered our delegates and as we get closer to the dates we will send in the appropriate leaves.
Bargaining News
Upcoming negotiations
Hanover Hospital
Cedarcrossing
McCormick Home and Recreation Therapists
Ongoing negotiations
DASO, St. Mary’s Hospital, Seasons, Chelsey Park Nursing Home, Group of 11