Union New Hire Member Presentation

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Your Paramedic Union
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OPSEU Structure
OPSEU Provincial 100 Lesmill Rd North York

• The Big 3 Ambulance Unions
• CUPE
• SEIU
• and OPSEU
• Plus now
• CAW Air Ambulance
• Ornge

Region 2 Office Hamilton
Ambulance Division
12 Other OPSEU Union Locals
Local 277
Does a lot of quiet work behind the scenes at
provincial level (OLRB, Lobbying)
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OPSEU Workers

• Approx. 100,000 FT and PT members
• Approx. 500 locals
• 20 offices across Ontario
• Includes
• Ontario Public Service (OPS) Government workers
• Broader Public Service (BPS) Ambulance,
  Corrections, LCBO
• CAATS (College Teachers) 15,000 workers

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Local 277 - Who are we?

• We are ALL members
• JHSC, HS Station Reps
• WSIB Agents
• Committee Reps
• Executive (LEC)
• Stewards
• Grievance Officers (OPSEU)
• Staff Rep (OPSEU)

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L. 277 Your LEC

• Stewards
• Executive Liaisons
• Point of contact for workers
• Volunteers
• Usually Senior Paramedics
• Executive
• Elected every 2 years at a GM
• Represent the membership

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Your Executive

• President
• Vice Presidents (2)
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Chief Steward

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What Do We Do For You?Why Do You Need a Union?

• Paramedic Union Supports
• The Contract - Collective Agreement
• Members voice in labour/political matters
• Disciplinary representation
• Career longevity
• Ensures safe and decent working conditions
• Constant struggle between employer and union
  about wages and benefits

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Solidarity

• A scale of perceived like-mindedness or
  similarity of behavioural disposition
• Working towards the common goals of better and
  safer working conditions
• Cant be bought or sold
• Intangible
• Mindset

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Who Do I Contact?

• Questions or matters
• Executive and stewards names numbers listed
  at the stations
• Health and Safety
• Notify Supervisor 1st AND Station Rep then
• Joint Health and Safety Committee Rep
• Committees
• UMC, JHSC, EVC, PDWG

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Need to Know Stuff

• Why do I have to pay Union Dues?
• Employer pays OPSEU corporate then distributed to
  Locals
• Pays various union local expenses
• Pays for OPSEU services (grievance and research
  officers, offices, meeting rooms, salaries, etc)
• Seniority What is it? Why have it?
• Station Duties
• Do more than your share voluntarily. Make it
  routine.
• Earn your brothers and sisters respect by being a
  decent Paramedic and building a good work ethic

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Lead. Dont Follow.

• Patient Care First Always!
• Youre a professional Paramedic first and
  foremost
• Look the part. Set the standard.
• Follow SOPs when able (there isnt one for every
  situation)
• Your Rights, Weingarten Rights
• Probationary employees have rights as protected
  in Collective Agreement and Law (OLRA, OHSA, etc)

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Collective Agreement and Grievances

• Each member observes the collective agreement
• Wouldnt buy a house without a contract, why
  permit the employer to break a contract?
• Grievances Obey Now, Grieve Later
• Dispute Resolution Process
• Not a negative act
• Receive which is owed and negotiated
• Step 1 Notify a Supervisor, Must be given a
  chance to make right
• Follow grievance timelines

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Bargaining

• What is it?
• Bargaining Team Elections
• Bargaining Team Role
• How often does CA expire?
• New Collective Agreement
• Arbitration

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Interacting Your Rights

• Question everything quietly
• Learn and Know Your Rights
• Examples
• Right to Union Representation
• Right to Refuse Unsafe Work
• Duty to Accommodate
• Give it the Three Rule Test
• Does it violate any legislation, law, protocols,
  policies or standards?
• Does it violate the Collective Agreement?
• Does it make sense or is it good common sense?

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Last Bits of Information

• 2 General Meetings/year
• Attendance voluntary but recommended
• Cannot be reprimanded for participation or
  activities in a labour organization (Ontario
  Labour Relations Act)
• Health and Safety Trumps Everything Wear the
  gear. Think before doing. Pay attention. Dont
  rush.
• Needlesticks. Unstable work environments. Bad
  lifts are all a reality

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Finally
WELCOME

• Make your own footprints
• Support your union
• Busy service
• Some of the best calls in Ontario
• Do your best even when missing meals or on
  overtime
• Take advantage of all opportunities provided by
  Union, Region, Base Hospital like education
  courses
• Solidarity is a lifetime action
• Not a bandwagon.

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In Solidarity,

• More Info?
• Executive phone numbers are
• Local_277_at_sympatico.ca
• www.local277.org