Mark Henderson, RN, Local 75
Sisters and Brothers,
Before I begin to share my work experience and thoughts on the future of bargaining, I want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU! Thank you for working thru a Pandemic. Coming to work with overwhelming workloads, working without enough human resources, having your schedules changed regularly to meet “operational needs” and picking up extra shifts has been a hardship you have faced and continue to work through to support patient care. I am Humbled and Proud to be associated with a dedicated team of Nurses who go “above and beyond” every day, again THANK YOU!
I am seeking re-election to the position of 2nd Vice-President at this year’s annual meeting. I am honored to have been able to finish the last round of negotiations on your behalf. Over my terms on SUN’s Board (11+ years) I have represented all nurses with integrity, professionalism and a commitment to enhance your rights in our Collective Agreement. In my role as Local 75 President (14th year), I daily am required to uphold the terms and conditions of our CBA. I recognize the strengths of the CBA, as well, am aware of places where our CBA language could use improvement to support you.
Bargaining Principles, I endorse:
Nurses should be paid salaries and provided benefits that recognize their invaluable contribution to healthcare (no rollbacks and no zeros).
I am committed to achieving a Health Human Resource plan that provides for “Safe Staffing Levels” and evidenced based workloads. Positive solutions such as regularization of hours, decreasing the casualization of the workforce and having more RN / RPN / NPs at point of care are imperative.
After the aggreges actions of the Gov’t thru legislation to make members lives more difficult, I want to negotiate stronger language in our CBA regarding member rights.
We need improved language in our CBA to support members rights to refuse when our practice conditions breach our professional standards (No hallway nursing, no inappropriate admissions).
We must demand workplace safety – STOP violence in the workplace (physical and psychological).
There are concerns that you as members have that I need to be made aware of…your input is crucial as SUN develops new strategies and principles to support each and every member. I am always happy speak with and advocate for members.
In our Province over the last 3+ years we have witnessed change and events unlike any in our history. We’ve transitioned from Health Regions to a single Health Authority during a pandemic and the workplace has become increasingly challenging for members. I am proud of the work SUN has daily undertaken to support Nurses. I would like to remain part of a leadership team that Stands UP for Nursing. There are challenges ahead and together we can overcome them.
I look forward to working with all members to build a better, healthier workplace for today and tomorrow. I ask for your ongoing support.
In Solidarity,
Mark T. Henderson RN
Melissa McGillivray, RN, Local 107
I am excited to let my name stand for the position of Second Vice President with the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses as I believe we all have the capacity to make a difference. I would love the opportunity to collaborate with leaders at SUN to ensure our members feel supported, valued, and heard.
The role of Second Vice President is particularly relevant for me as I have a strong interest in effective and meaningful collective bargaining processes. I believe the membership is apprehensive in regards to the next round of
bargaining and I would appreciate the opportunity to exceed their expectations. I believe we are at a pivotal point in collective bargaining, and we need strong leaders who are confident in advocating on behalf of their peers.
As president of CUPE 3761 while employed at SUN, I had the opportunity to bargain with our employer and it was a truly memorable experience. While I had anticipated the long days discussing collective agreement articles and their respective rationale, the ongoing communication back to the members of my local was equally important. I believe the skills I developed will be of great value should I be the successful candidate for the role of Second Vice President.
To be an effective representative of the membership at large, I believe there is value in understanding the lived experience of nurses throughout the province. While I am currently employed at City Hospital and St. Ann’s Senior Citizens Village, I have worked at all three base hospitals. I have worked in a variety of care areas including Emergency, Medicine, Surgery, Long Term Care and Rehabilitation. I was previously a NAC Committee Member and am currently the Public Relations Representative for my local.
In addition to practicing as a front-line nurse, I was fortunate to be employed as a Nurse Practice Officer at SUN for about five years. My time with SUN afforded me the opportunity to meet nurses throughout the province and connect with members to hear their professional practice concerns. I believe this means I am uniquely qualified to fulfill the role of Second Vice President, as it is my opinion the elected representative is obligated to ensure their focus is the membership at large.
In addition to my involvement with SUN, I am active in the community. At present I am the Registrar for the Saskatoon and District Labour Council. I am also the Recording Secretary for the Rotary Club of Saskatoon North. These roles have led to my personal development in terms of organizational skills, member mobilization and effective collaboration and communication.
I believe in addition to supporting its members, SUN is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the labour movement. If elected, I assure you while my priority is to advocate on behalf of the membership, I envision an opportunity to work within the labour movement to protect high quality, publicly funded and publicly delivered health care in Saskatchewan.
Melissa McGillivray, RN, BSN