• Stable and adequate funding from the federal government, with annual increases established at a minimum 6%;
• A national continuing care program that extends the principles of the Canada Health Act to long term care, home and community care and establishes minimum staffing and phasing out of for-profit delivery in this sector;
• A national universal Pharmacare program that provides coverage to all Canadians through a national formulary, evidence-based evaluation of prescribing and protection from trade deals.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Brianne Cannon.

CUPE LPN Brianne Cannon was recently voted “Best Nurse” in Prairie Dog’s annual best of Regina contest.

Cannon is in her 13^th year of nursing and has worked in a variety of capacities in the health sector. She has gained experience in surgical nursing and palliative care, but upon the birth of her eldest son, decided to move into the mother-baby unit. She was one of the first LPNs to work in neonatal care in Canada, as part of a special Calgary based pilot project.

“What motivates me at work is to make everyone feel accepted and that they belong there. I believe everyone, no matter their background, deserves respect. Whether you are a high-ranking CEO or a person struggling with addictions – you should receive the same care,” said Cannon. “That’s how I treat my patients; like my friends, like my family.”

The biggest challenge at work is seeing people receiving unequal treatment. “I really think that the reason I was nominated is that I treat everyone with the utmost respect. Respect is a choice. Maybe I don’t agree with what a patient is doing, but it’s not my place. I don’t live their life.”

Cannon’s favourite part of the job is working with newborn babies.

“It’s a pretty big honour to be with someone when they need you. You start as a stranger, and people put their trust in you as a health care provider.”

Having worked in palliative, surgery, and mother-baby care, Cannon reflects that it is a huge honour to be with people in their vulnerable lifetime moments.

“To be with patients and their families at their bedside, to be with people who are scared and sick, to be with new parents is just an honour. I am humbled to be there for people in these moments.”

Cannon says that the one thing she would improve about the workplace is the ability for her to utilize all of her skills and work to full scope.

“I’ve worked in a lot of different environments, and I’ve always had to prove myself. I would love it if everyone understood that there’s a place for everyone.

“LPNs sometimes aren’t respected for the education, skills, and knowledge that we have. But as health care providers, as a team, we are much stronger together than divided, and the patients will benefit from us working more as a team.”

So, what’s it like for Cannon to win “Best Nurse” in Regina?

“I’m just super humbled and grateful; it’s a bit of a shock. It’s wonderful to get recognition when you feel like you try to do your best every day that you walk in.”

Gordon Campbell, President of the CUPE Health Care Council, adds, “On behalf of the Health Care Council, we congratulate Brianne on her recognition as Best Nurse and thank her for the pioneering contributions she has made as an LPN.”

/cope491

Photo: Front Porch Stapleton

As part of our initiatives to welcome and support the arrival of Syrian refugees to the province, CUPE Saskatchewan is inviting CUPE members and Saskatchewan residents to take up the call for English tutors in the four cities in which newcomers are being resettled: Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina, and Saskatoon.

The Syrian refugee crisis is the largest refugee crisis since World War Two and this is a unique opportunity for our diverse members and all Saskatchewan residents to make connections and to make a difference in our communities. The following table lists the principal organizations and contact information for tutoring initiatives for Syrian refugees in Saskatchewan.

English Tutoring Opportunities for Refugees Across Saskatchewan

BACK TO THE BASICS

April 21 – 22, 2016
Delta Bessborough Hotel
Saskatoon

EARLY REGISTRATION: Before March 21, 2016 // AFFILIATE: $125; NON AFFILIATE: $150

LATE REGISTRATION: After March 21, 2016 // AFFILIATE: $150; NON AFFILIATE: $175

HOW DO I ATTEND? 

1. Contact your CUPE local to approve sponsorship of your registration;

2. Download and complete the conference registration form and submit to the CUPE Saskatchewan office;

3. Book your accommodation if required.

WORKSHOPS

Identifying and Documenting Hazards
Learn techniques for body mapping, surveys, and inspections to identify hazards in the workplace, as well to develop methods for dealing with the hazards. Participants will have an opportunity to perform an inspection and develop recommendations around their findings.

Basics of Incident Investigations
Learn how to identify root causes of workplace incidents, injuries, and diseases, common routes of entry of toxic substances, and their role in the investigation process. We will review relevant sections of the OHS act. The participants will conduct in a mock incident investigation to allow them to practice their interviewing, data collection, and documentation skills.

Preventing Mental Injuries in the Workplace
New forms of work, job insecurity, work intensification, high demands, violence, and a resulting poor work-life balance are resulting in psychosocial and mental health problems in CUPE workplaces. This module will focus on the workplace as the cause of mental health issues, and not the individual. Participants will discuss strategies and actions that will actually help make workplaces psychologically healthier and safer.

PLUS: Intro to Asbestos and Howard’s Law and Intro to The Worker’s Advocate

CUPE Saskatchewan supports members of UFCW Local 1400 who are on strike at the Best Western Seven Oaks Inn in Regina. We encourage CUPE members and all people passing through Regina to withdraw business from the Seven Oaks Inn for the duration of the strike.

For a list of alternate unionized hotels in the Regina area, please visit this page on the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour website.

We also encourage everyone who can to participate in the solidarity picket this Wednesday, January 6 at 5 PM. There will be coffee provided by the Regina and District Labour Council. The Facebook event page for this important solidarity action is here.

Location: Best Western Seven Oaks Inn, 777 Albert St, Regina, Saskatchewan

Time: 5 PM – 6 PM (or later), Wednesday, January 6

What: Solidarity Picket with striking UFCW 1400 members

REGINA – CUPE Saskatchewan, representing 30,000 workers in the province, applauds the federal government for their decision to waive the onerous and additional reporting requirements for labour organizations under Bill C-377.

The Minister of National Revenue made the announcement yesterday that they would be waiving the requirement for labour organizations to submit detailed financial reports and information on political activities, as well as non-labour related activities.

The bill is scheduled to come into force December 30^th, 2015 and the minister has indicated that that this move signals the government’s intent on repealing Bill C-377 altogether.

The ministry notes in a press release that legislation requiring unions to make financial information available to their members is already in place.

“We applaud the moves taken today by the government against this arbitrary bill that in all likeliness was a violation of the constitution and our charter rights,” said Tom Graham, President of CUPE Saskatchewan.

“We are pleased to see the federal government make moves that will honour their election promise to repeal the bill.”

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Contact: Tom Graham, President of CUPE Saskatchewan, 306.757.1009

REGINA – The Canadian Union of Public Employees Saskatchewan has sent a letter to the federal Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Philpott, requesting a review of the Wall government’s Bill 179, permitting private user-pay MRI facilities.

Delegates representing CUPE locals from across the province will gather in Saskatoon from March 9 – 11, 2016 for the CUPE Saskatchewan Annual Convention. The theme for this year’s convention is Building Community Power. During the three-day convention, delegates will set the direction for the year ahead, elect members to leadership positions, approve financial statements, learn about the work being done by our union and discuss the issues facing CUPE members and the public services we provide.

This year marks the 51st Annual Convention of CUPE Saskatchewan since its establishment in 1963. For over 50 years, CUPE Saskatchewan has united CUPE locals in our province to help build the power of workers and local communities, to defend the public services that serve all people in Saskatchewan, and to fight for social justice.

Join us as we renew our commitment to Building Community Power!

When: March 9 – 11, 2016
Where: Radisson Hotel, Saskatoon

• New: Complete Convention Agenda
• Official Convention Call (includes notice of elections) 

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During the holiday season, it’s important to remember that even small gifts can make a big difference in our communities. CUPE Saskatchewan’s Women’s Committee is encouraging CUPE locals and members to consider making a donation to a women’s shelter to support those in our community escaping domestic violence. See also the link to CUPE National’s new guide to domestic violence in the workplace at the end of this post.

CUPE Saskatchewan is also pleased to announce we will be joining the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and PATHS, the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan, to mobilize and lobby on the issue of systemic intimate partner violence in the new year.

The following is a complete list of women’s shelters by area for donations:

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Photo: University of Saskatchewan

While the University of Saskatchewan says that jobs will not be lost due to provincial cuts to education announced this week, the Canadian Union of Public Employees is concerned about the decision to drop $7.9 million for capital spending on crucial work such as maintenance.

The union is disappointed in the Brad Wall government for failing to adequately plan for Saskatchewan’s future.

“When you are forcing cuts on the educational institutions that train the next generation, and slashing spending on maintenance and research, it is safe to say that Brad Wall is looking for short-term fixes to long-term issues,” said Tom Graham, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Saskatchewan.

The union is concerned that the provincial government is downloading the cost of poor planning onto post-secondary institutions which then pass along cuts to workers and students.

“In an election year, the Sask Party refuses to acknowledge that they mismanaged the boom and are now slashing where they can,” said Graham. “The Sask Party is running election ads saying the opposition would take the province backwards, but it’s the current government that is starting to look reminiscent of decades past, when the Devine Conservatives drove Saskatchewan bankrupt.”

At the University of Saskatchewan, CUPE represents nearly 2,300 workers in maintenance, administration, and sessional instruction, among other areas. At the University of Regina, the union represents nearly 1,200 workers.