Hospital Employees' Union
5000 North Fraser Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5M3 Burnaby, BC, Canada

Our union is consulting with members about diversity, equity and inclusion. Sign up this week if you want to participate and would like meeting materials mailed to your home: www.heu.org/dei-registration

Happy Vaisakhi. Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Vaisakhi!

May this Ramadan bring joy, health and blessings.

An important research project is being launched this week to explore psychological distress experienced by housekeeping staff in acute care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey is anonymous and confidential and can be found in the link below.

I’ve been working in distribution for 19 years at the hospital. What I do for my job is everything coming from our warehouse goes into the receiving area. And from the receiving area, we distribute to the hospital wards and areas like the OR and ICU. Most of these are critical supplies, like medicine, that are needed on the wards of the hospital.... During this pandemic, the frontline care workers are at the very high risk of COVID. We work to protect each and every one of us. So, we encourage each and every one who works in the hospital to wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, wear masks, wear hand gloves, and keep our distance. People in my department work as a team to get the work done. They’re very friendly to work with each other. It is team work, and the people are so nice there. But we all are scared of COVID. It’s not that safe, not 100 per cent safe. The sooner we can have this vaccine, the better for each and every one who has to work in the hospital. It’s a very high-risk job right now with the COVID. - Arun, Stores Attendant, part of the health care team

Say hello to the new Nicola Lodge local executive!

Essential workers recognize that unions can help negotiate higher wages and improve working conditions. Since the pandemic began, we've organized nine long-term-care homes. "Since the pandemic began, The Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) in British Columbia has organized nine long-term-care homes, said spokesperson Mike Old. One of these workplaces was the Lynn Valley Care Centre, the site of the first COVID-19 death in Canada. The union has seen a lot of interest, especially... from long-term-care workers who are anxious and afraid, Old said. HEU organized around 1,500 workers in 2020, Old said, about 1,000 in long-term care. By comparison, the union organized around 1,000 workers in 2019. Marie Pantelis, the organizing team lead for HEU, predicts interest in unionizing will continue to rise in the sector." https://www.thestar.com//unions-say-more-workers-looking-t

Let's hold the B.C. government to their promises: make hospital services public reunite the health care team keep private companies out of hospitals... Join our letter writing campaign at www.MakeItPublic.ca

I’ve been looking forward to the vaccination because I have an underlying medical condition, a respiratory condition. I have asthma. I want to be safe for my family and for others as well. I was surprised actually how it was so fast. I was expecting it to hurt. I didn’t have any symptoms. This is more like the regular [flu shot] symptoms. Four hours after my shot, my arm was kind of painful, like when you try to lift up your hand. And then afterwards, for about a day, it was... sore. But there’s nothing to be afraid of. Actually before this happened, I was thinking also if I should do it or not, and then I did the research. It’s important to be educated about it, learn about it, what’s the advantage of taking the vaccination. You don’t need to be afraid of it. It’s for your safety. I’m following the social distancing and all the other stuff. I always make sure to wash my hands regularly, and follow the protocol and standards of the government for my safety and for others’ safety. I follow all the rules. - Yolaidyl, Care Aide, part of the health care team

Anti-Racism Coalition Vancouver (arc.vancouver) is calling for January 15 to be marked as Black Shirt Day in solidarity with the anti-racism and civil rights movements led by Black and racialized Canadians. January 15 is Martin Luther King Jr's birthday.

Please share! Let's hold the B.C. government to their promises: make hospital services public reunite the health care team... keep private companies out of hospitals Join our letter writing campaign at www.MakeItPublic.ca

THIS. "Some 58 per cent of workers in Canada lack enough paid sick leave, according to the Decent Work and Health Network, and that percentage rises as wages drop."

"The problem with the term presenteeism is it puts a lot of responsibility on the individual worker," said Mike Old, a spokesperson for the B.C. Hospital Employees Union. "It kind of detracts from our collective responsibility to make sure that these workers have the kind of working and caring conditions where they can look after residents and in a manner that is safe for the residents and safe for themselves." "We need better paid sick leave and we need fair wages for workers so that they don't need to make those decisions."

I woke up one morning and my mother who is one of the shop stewards at my work said, ‘you’re on the vaccination list, we’re going.’ And I was like, ‘alright, let’s do this.’ The vaccine is going to make our workplace safer for sure. It’s gonna definitely bring down the fear a little bit of COVID. Just to give people a little more reassurance that normalcy is potentially coming back. I feel completely fine after the vaccine. I have no after-effects, no nothing. It was just li...ke any other flu shot that I got. My arm is a little tender from the needle, but that’s normal. No matter what happens, if you want any semblance of what was, this is what needs to happen. Get it over with. It’s not going to hurt anybody. I’m a dietary aide, so I work in the kitchen. Our facility had an outbreak. I know for a lot of care aides, it was very hard having to change things up. I know that management was trying their best to adjust to new protocols and such, but with the lack of communication between everybody, it was challenging. But we eventually got it, and everything was sorted out and we had everything under control. As for the kitchen, though, everything got a lot easier because we went to disposables. So, we had a lot less dishes to wash. I just want everyone to keep following the protocols. That’s honestly what we need to do. Follow what we’re told by public health, wear your mask, wash your hands, all of that. - Kyara, Food Service Worker, part of the health care team

Tune in now to hear Health Minister Adrian Dix, HEU President Barb Nederpel and long term care worker Tes Estilo with their thoughts on long term care and the path forward.

Thank you to staff and firefighters who kept everyone safe during this fire at Burnaby Hospital last night.

Today our Interim Secretary-Business Manager Mike Old and Gwenda -- a hospital housekeeper -- were on News Talk 980 CKNW to discuss our campaign to bring privatized hospital housekeeping and dietary staff. You can check it out here: https://omny.fm//full-show-inmate-vaccinations-washington-

Lately I’ve been thinking that putting on our masks and gloves every day, it’s like we’re going to war. It’s like a war against this disease. I go onto the COVID floor and overall, I wear a lot more PPE now. There’s now masks, more handwashing, and I change my gloves all the time. I’m a housekeeper, so I pick up waste every day. I go around the hospital and seniors care home and take out the garbage, recycling and bio waste. ... One thing I really like about my job is all of the walking and lifting of the bags I get to do. It’s very physical and that part feels good. I really care about the issues impacting seniors’ homes. Every day on my shift I go to the seniors’ center to pick up garbage. There’s a lady there that’s always so happy to see me. We always wave and smile at each other. That makes me feel good. She wants to go home and I have to try and explain why she can’t, which is hard. One day when I went through the ER to pick up the garbage, I saw someone I knew. I stopped by to say hello and wish them well. I found out a few days later that they had COVID. We were both wearing masks so it was okay but it made me think that anything can happen. We have to stay safe. Tony, Housekeeper, part of the health care team

Thousands of HEU members joined Brother Gordie Larkin in a chorus of "Solidarity Forever" over the years. Rest in Power Gordie, and thanks for all you've done for working people. Condolences to Gordie's family and friends.

Sign up now to hear HEU President Barbara Nederpel speaking about dignity and justice in long term care tomorrow at 8:30 am.

Health care workers deserve working conditions that are safe for your physical and mental health. That’s what we fight for as a union every day -- more staff, a worker voice on health and safety, and respectful workplaces. But there’s no question that during this once-in-a-generation pandemic emergency, many HEU members are experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety than usual. It takes a toll, and it’s OK to ask for help. We want you to know there are resources that ar...e just for health care workers. These resources might be helpful for you or your colleagues. 1. Crisis Line: Call anytime at 1-800-784-2433 or 310-6789 in B.C. 2. Care to Speak: Peer support: 1-866-802-7337 (PEER) (Monday to Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) Online chat support: https://www.careforcaregivers.ca/caretospeak/ Monday to Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. 3. Care for Caregivers: This site has information, workshops and daily coping tips to help support good mental health for healthcare workers. https://careforcaregivers.ca/ 4. Your employer’s Employee Assistance Program. It is important to reach out, seek connection, and ask for help.

Let's remember. Let's honour their service and sacrifices by making sure quality public health care and seniors care remains accessible and affordable for all.

The Ministry of Health has informed HEU that all health authorities (and Providence Healthcare) are expected to include Temporary Pandemic Pay on the October 9 payroll. The timing for non-health authority employers (including affiliates and independents, sub-contractors, and community health and social services agencies) will vary and may depend on when employers have submitted the appropriate documentation to government. Please note that the Ministry of Health has clarified ...that straight-time hours worked for the purposes of calculating Temporary Pandemic Pay will include overtime hours worked. Find out more at https://www.heu.org//frequently-asked-questions-pandemic-p

HEU activists organized a red dress installation at Surrey's Bear Creek park today to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people.

"I began working in the kitchen at my site for a few years until I switched to housekeeping. I enjoyed working as a housekeeper, but wanted a change so I recently switched to a support worker position for care aides. My job is to help the care aides at my site: I feed the residents, make their beds, and restock their rooms with supplies. I think my favourite thing about this new position is that it gives me the ability to interact with the residents more and has allowed me to... get to know them on a more personal level. The pandemic has been an adjustment for everyone. The hospital and all the frontline workers who work in it have been trying their best to diligently follow new rules and guidelines so that society can still continue under these crazy and novel circumstances. When families were no longer allowed to come and visit the residents, us workers really had to step up. In a sense, we became their family, and the highlight of each day was being able to really talk to them, hear them laugh, or see them smile. It’s tough trying to not be consumed by worry, especially with all the bleak media reports lately. Social interactions are no longer what they once were and there’s a hint of tension in the air whenever you leave the house. Before COVID-19 people were able to go to work, send their children to school, travel without a second thought and so much more. I definitely took those things for granted, and now I miss how simple life was only a few months ago. Now we all must take this one step at a time, treat each other with some grace and kindness, and try to keep a strong and positive outlook." - Genet, Support Worker, part of the Healthcare Team

HEU’s Director of Research, Lou Black, will be speaking on a panel tonight about Canada’s long-term care crisis and the experiences of front-line workers in this sector. This free event is hosted by SFU Public Square. Register at: http://www.sfu.ca//upco/canadas-long-term-care-crisis.html

Premier John Horgan says a re-elected NDP government will continue to top up wages for seniors’ care workers even after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. The move will provide stability and certainty for seniors and workers in a sector where there are wide gaps in wages and benefits from one care home to another, a result of legislation and policies enacted by the former BC Liberal government starting in 2002. The commitment was part of a package of proposals on seniors’ care th...at also include greater oversight of spending of public funds by private care home operators, and a plan to build more care homes in the public non-profit sector. Details of the proposals will be contained in the BC NDP’s platform, to be released later in the campaign.

Tomorrow is Orange Shirt Day. Orange shirt day is national movement that brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the spirit of reconciliation to honour residential school survivors and their families.

We stopped by Chilliwack General Hospital to meet some HEU members standing strong on the front lines of health care!

I got into this work because I was really interested in working in health care. My mom is a Care Aide as well and suggested that this would be a good way to get a sense of whether or not I want to work in this field. We never had an outbreak at our site but we did take precautions to make sure that we were well protected. We handled the stress of working during a pandemic very well and we made sure to support each other. Adding the extra steps of putting on and taking off PP...E in between visits meant having really good time management so that we could take care of all our residents in a work day. One of the toughest parts about the pandemic is helping some residents understand why they can’t have visits with their families. For some residents, it means having to explain again and again what is happening. I feel for them because it’s difficult when you don’t know what’s going on and you can’t see your spouse or your children. I love the work I do. There are definitely times that are more challenging than others. For instance, because of where I work, I haven’t been able to open up my bubble as many of my friends have. But being a Care Aide has confirmed for me that health care is where I want to work and I have to keep hope that sometime soon, I’ll be able to hug my friends again. Emily, Care Aide, part of the health care team

Want to vote by mail? Request your vote-by-mail package today so you have time to return it by the deadline. Visit elections.bc.ca/votebymail or call 1-800-661-8683 #ivotebc

The Cambie case is closed, at least for now. Let’s keep the wins rolling. An op-ed from HEU President Barb Nederpel and Health Sciences Association of British Columbia President Val Avery.

HEU members will be creating a Red Dress event at Bear Creek Park in Surrey on Sunday, October 4. Although we are not holding a gathering this year, please come to the park between 9 am and 4 pm to view the installation. Come honour and bear witness to the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

I am a Food Service Worker in a long-term care home in Fort St. John. I serve meals to residents while making sure I follow food safety procedures. Residents have started to see their loved ones in person again through scheduled visits. It makes me feel happy to see families reunited in the midst of the pandemic. I’ve had to adapt to the new normal to protect not only myself, but my family and people in my workplace especially the elderly as their health is more vulnerable.... My family is my inspiration; that's why I enjoy my job. I am also blessed that I still have a job. Many people around the world lost their job or business during the pandemic. I have been thinking about my family back in my home country, my mom, siblings and their family and my in-laws. The number of people affected by the virus in our country has significantly increased, and it’s worrying. In Fort St. John, I have witnessed several acts of generosity in our community. Some businesses and individuals offer free groceries or meals to the elderly, healthcare workers, sick people and those who lost their job. It feels great to be a part of this community, as people here are always willing to help during challenging times. I am proud to be a part of the health care team as we make a difference to residents and patients’ lives every day. Regina, Food Service Worker, part of the health care team

Some of our newest members! In July, staff at Suncreek Village long term care facility in Surrey voted to make HEU their union, bringing 189 new members into our union family.

Hard to overstate Judy Darcy's contributions to the labour movement, to the women's movement, to her community of New Westminster and to her work as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Many HEU members also know Judy from her time as the union's secretary-business manager from 2005 to 2011. Thank you Judy for your service!

Yes! PICS does an excellent job supporting seniors and does so with such strong community support.

British Columbians are weathering this crisis together but now we have a choice to make. Go back to the senseless cuts that left us vulnerable, or keep strengthening the support systems we all rely on. Join our campaign to build a future for all of us: https://www.futureforall.ca/

"HEU members have cared for British Columbians with incredible dedication during this pandemic. They’ve put their health and well- being on the line ... We must protect workers and our communities as we rebuild the economy."

Workers have a right to communicate about health and safety issues to their employer, WorkSafeBC, and their union. So, what can you do if your employer penalizes you for raising health and safety concerns?