October 28 2002
UPN and HEABC have resolved the long standing health sector reclassification dispute and the arbitration scheduled for October 21 & 22 was cancelled. Thirty-nine supervisors, geriatric outreach nurses and HSCL nurses have been reclassified, are being paid the correct rate, and will get retroactivity back to April 1, 1999. Fifteen applications still under dispute will be referred to Vince Ready. Those ordered reclassified will also receive retroactivity back to April 1, 1999. The terms of settlement are specific that retroactivity applies only to the 54 members named. Those members who did not come forward when asked in 1999 and 2000 will now have to apply under the current agreement, and there will be no retroactive entitlement.
Between now and March 31, 2003 Riverview intends to transfer 43 patients to regional health authorities and transfer or discharge 125 patients under the Access Program. This will mean ward closures and surplus employees. It is expected there will be 40 redundant nurse positions by March 31st. There are currently 30 vacancies, which means ten nurse positions will have to be absorbed by resignations, retirements or transfers.
A UPN member was recently suspended for five days for verbal abuse of a patient. It went to arbitration. The arbitrator agreed with the Union that no verbal abuse occurred. However, the nurse had made some black humour remarks to coworkers, and when asked by the Employer, denied making the statements. The arbitrator cancelled the five day suspension for abuse, but substituted a three day suspension for lack of candour with the Employer and the Union.
The trustees have been forced to cancel medical and dental coverage for Public Service and Municipal pensioners. Medical and dental coverage is paid for out of the Inflation Adjustment Account. The cost of premiums was being raised dramatically. The trustees found that if they continued to cover medical and dental, there would not be the funds available to continue to index pensions. UPN is supporting BCGEU in an attempt to find an alternate solution.
UPN has not placed a dues levy on members. If you find your pay reduced by a levy you should contact your pay office to have it removed. The levy is for BCNU members.
The Government has advised the Union that Phase 2 of the Dulcie McCallum report on Woodlands will not proceed. McCallum had recommended that in phase 2 records would be turned over the special interests with the suggestion they may wish to sue.
An arbitrator has ruled that it is not discriminatory to preclude employees on LTD from accruing seniority. It did rule, however, that employees on rehabilitative employment under the LTD plan must accrue seniority. The case was brought by BCGEU.
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