OCHU

Trades College Legislation Update

OCHU trades reps lobby Ministry staff

By Joe Reddy In a meeting with Marsha Seca, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Hon. John Milloy, and other Ministry of Training, Colleges and University staff, held July 30, OCHU President Michael Hurley, Area 3 V.P. Joe Reddy and Area 3 Trades Rep Jim Tsoutsas, our concerns over the impending Bill 183 were discussed. The discussion took shape after an overview of the legislation and what the College would look like. The framework for the College was taken from a blueprint of existing College's ( Nursing, Teachers, Physicians ) with an overlaying theme of selfregulation for the board... Read more Trades news

Long Term Care Workers Win Budget Move Towards Standards of Care - Ontario adds 4300 nurses and personal support workers

During the 2007 election, Ontario's Liberals promised to introduce a guaranteed standard of personal care into Ontario's Long Term Care facilities, but residents, their families and workers are still waiting. In the March 2008 budget the province announced an additional 4,300 nurses and personal support workers, but no standard of care...read more Long Term Care news

Registered Practical Nurses

are CUPE's largest occupational group There are over 5,000 Registered Practical Nurses represented by CUPE at 65 public hospitals across Ontario. Provincial RPN committee CUPE has a provincial Registered Practical Nurses' committee which meets regularly and which organizes events and campaigns on RPN issues. Provincial RPN Conference 150 Registered Practical Nurses will meet June 22-24 at CUPE's hospital sector RPN Conference. RPNs will decide on an action plan on subjects like wages, utilization, training, the amendments to the Registered Health Professions Act and the union's government relations strategy on nursing issues...read more about about Registered Practical Nurses

Workers Health & Safety Centre Hazard Assessment Guide for Tourism & hospitality sector workplaces

Workplace Hazard Assessment

Before doing the physical inspection of the workplace, review all background information and the following workplace documents/reports.

Check off as you review the information. You can list pertinent information and make notes as needed . Print a copy of the form on Page 11 of this assessment to determine significant hazards and training needs. Extra copies may need to be printed before beginning. List applicable information on the form...read more

Regulation means major changes coming

The Health Systems Improvement Act "Bill 171" was passed in June 4, 2007, and amended the Regulated Health Professions Act, the Pharmacy Act and the Drug and Pharmacy Regulation Act enabling the regulation of pharmacy technicians. The College will register the first group of pharmacy technicians in early 2010. Although regulation is voluntary, those who choose not to become registered will NOT be able to use the title 'pharmacy technician.'...read more Pharmacy Technician news

Technology is driving the pressure for homework. Employers see flexible staffing and cost savings through reduced overhead.

Employees like working from home: no commuting, parking costs etc.
Gender is a factor in home-work, for example, women can be home for their children for lunch and have flexibility in their work hours.
Other employees resent it: they can’t work from home because of the nature of their job.
Arrangements slowly erode the power of the bargaining unit.
There is a danger of exploitation of home-workers by moving to piece work ( eg being forced to take internet downtime as vacation ), isolation from co-workers and the union, and dependency on relationship with supervisor...read full clerical action plan and more