December 10th, 2003
We met with the various parties on Dec. 1-3. This was initially scheduled as a hearing but the parties instead decided to try to see if they could resolve the matter through mediation. The basis of the agreement would be to resolve the current issues but also to set the pattern for future transfers from Riverview. After several long days of trying to come to a settlement we are still not there. While we made some progress, there are still several outstanding issues. In particular, selection process, pension and leave banks.
While these issues represent a considerable block to reaching an agreement we are hopeful that, through dialogue and a willingness on both sides to be creative, we will be able to come to a solution that will provide a more secure future for our members and a sensible means to transition our members to the Health Sector.
We've had several grievances resolved lately at Riverview. Unfortunately, as things begin getting better at one area they seem to get worse in others. Forensics is now embarking on a path that can only be described as abusive to long time staff. People who have worked in Mental Health for as much as forty years are now having their practices called into question and being subjected in processes that bring to mind the Spanish Inquisition. In response, we are filing several grievances against this type of treatment to our members. It is hard to believe that such practices exist even in the Gordon Campbell era.
We've also been busy getting out to the various sites lately. We had a couple of meetings both at Riverview and Forensic Psychiatric Hospital to provide members there with an overview of what is happening with the downsizing of Riverview, transition agreements and the successorship case in Kamloops. Fortunately, much of the news has been pretty positive due to the delays in the downsizing and the postponement of the transition to the Health Sector negotiated into the BCGEU contract extension.
Aaron Crowhurst and I also spent a couple of days up in Kelowna visiting the various worksites in that area and holding a membership meeting in the evening. Turnout was small but encouraging and those that came were glad that they did. We had a good time and were able to answer a lot of questions for the members.
We also went to Victoria to attend several meetings at Seven Oaks, Oak Bay and Royal Jubilee Hospital. Once again, the members were very appreciative of the contact and we learned a lot about the particular issues facing our members on the Island.
In the coming months, we will be getting out to more sites to visit. In particular, we plan on going to Prince George in January and possibly the Northern Island. We believe that it is vital to keep in touch with our members wherever they are so that we can be responsive to their needs and help to build a closer rapport with the staff and the managers that they work with.
As 2003 winds down, I would like to say that I have enjoyed serving you in the past ten months and look forward to standing side by side with you to face the challenges ahead of us. Many changes lay ahead but, as long as we work together and help one another, we will make it through them and even come out of it stronger. I hope you have a great holiday season and we'll see you in 2004. Please note the UPN Office will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 and Jan. 01, 02.