May 10, 2018
TO: ALL ONTARIO STAFF AND ONTARIO LOCAL UNIONS
Niki Lundquist, Unifor Staff Lawyer and human rights activist is
running for the NDP in the riding of Whitby. Niki has worked with us
for 15 years and has been an incredible asset to our Union. She has
fought and won important victories for workers and now she is
fighting just as hard to give the people in her riding the same quality
representation. I know she will be a tremendous representative in
the provincial legislature and an ally for working people which is why
Unifor is endorsing her and it is why I am endorsing her as well.
Niki has been campaigning for months while working full time, raising a family, volunteering her
time with children that have cognitive, physical disabilities and with a shelter for street-involved
youth. Her hard work in Whitby is paying off, but she needs support, that’s why I’m calling on all
Unifor staff, activists and members, who are able, to lend support by making a donation and
volunteering time to help get our great Sister, friend and colleague elected.
Individual donations can be made here:
https://secure.ontariondp.ca/page/contribute/whitby?source=ONDP_DONATE_NAVBAR
Campaign Office: 131 Brock St. S. Whitby
Campaign Office Phone: 905.668.4141
For further information, please contact Roland Kiehne – Member Mobilization and Political Action
Director at roland.kiehne@unifor.org
In Solidarity,
Jerry Dias
National President

Sister and Brothers,
We wanted to follow up on discussions which began last fall regarding the performance management program, formerly called “Performance Road Map” or “Stacked Ranking”.
In the meeting last fall we provided many examples to the company about the unfairness of many aspects of the performance management program. We gave examples where expectations were not clear, metrics for evaluation had not been communicated and coaching was virtually non-existent, and in many cases the programs seemed to be focused on discipline vs actually creating a fully trained and efficient workforce.
On Monday, we, along with the National Representatives who lead bargaining for each of the Bell Canada companies, along with the Telecommunications Director Tyson Siddall, met with the company.
This meeting was not to replace the contractual obligations Bell has to our Atlantic and Clerical committees as a result of recent bargaining. Nor was it to resolve the grievances filed in the different bargaining units.
What was clear about this presentation is that efforts have been made to consider our input into creating a program which they have called “Coaching for Success”. It does appear that a lot of internal examination of the previous program has taken place and to the credit of Bell, they were quite honest with us about the short comings of the former PRM and particularly the unwelcome effects on our membership.
Admissions regarding unclear evaluation criteria, ill trained supervisors on coaching techniques and a system that seemed to be focused in some cases on discipline instead of coaching were some of the things Bell talked about and expressed a desire to change in the new program they are calling Coaching for Success.

Read More …Click the link below
In solidarity,
John Caluori                        Chris MacDonald
Assistant to the Quebec     Director Assistant to the National President

Follow-up Letter to Telco Locals re Performance Management Systems

Celebrating National Nursing Week with our thanks

May 7-13, 2018

In recognition of the hard work and dedication of nurses throughout Canada, Unifor celebrates and salutes all nurses on National Nursing Week, held on May 7 to 13 this year.

There are an estimated 415,000 nurses across Canada. The profession has grown by 18 per cent over the past 10 years, including both Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs). In many provinces, RPNs/LPNs represent more than a quarter of all regulated nurses working in Canada.  Any health service organization that wants to provide quality sustainable nursing care undeniably needs practical nurses!

Nurses play a vital role in delivering quality care, along with a team of skilled allied health care professions including personal support workers, continuing care attendants and others who provide direct and indirect care that is critical to the well-being of their patients. Nurses understand that they function within an entire team of workers who are competent and efficient in often difficult situations.

Practical nurses know mutual respect and teamwork are critical for upholding the highest standards of access and quality health care. The dedication, compassion and resilience of practical nurses from coast to coast to coast and all their vital contributions to offer excellence in patient care is at the back bone of the health care sector.

As we show our collective appreciation for nurses this week, it is also a reminder that much more must be done to ensure that all health care workers are able to provide care in workplaces that are safe, healthy and conducive to the well-being of patients and care providers.

Statistics show that health and social services is one of the most dangerous industries in Canada, based on injuries that lead to loss of work time, and incidents of violence that are rising as the health care system is stressed to its limits. Unifor calls for a renewed commitment by governments and employers to commit to violence free workplaces, enforce preventative measures and provide comprehensive training and resources.

Nurses and their colleagues in health care are increasingly over-burdened in the face of hospital overcrowding, chronic short-staffing and budget cuts. With an aging population that requires complex care, they still manage to meet patients’ needs competently.

And even with all these workplace challenges the nurses continue to provide dedicated quality care. Join us in saluting nurses in your community.