HIGHLIGHTS

of the 35th Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, April 20, 2010

Credentials Committee Report

Voting Delegates – 251
Non-Voting Delegates – 124
Guests – 9
Staff – 25

Resolution #1: Passed as Presented

Presidents of locals/worksites will receive financial compensation from the MNU for all meetings called by the MNU to deal with negotiations that are not otherwise funded e.g. strike votes, ratification votes and informational meetings.

2011 Financial Forecast: Passed as Presented

Linda Silas Brings Greetings

CFNU president Linda Silas announced that FIQ, the Quebec union that represents nurses, has formed a committee to determine whether it will become a CFNU member in 2011.

She went on to talk about the future of health care in Canada in light on recent cuts, especially in Ontario where 1,600 nursing positions have been cut to date.

According to Silas Canada is facing its “worst recorded shortage of nurses”, and that the extra strain put on nurses will affect the level of patient care.

She said that in Canada 61,000 nurses work overtime every week, with 5.2 million overtime hours going unpaid annually.

In September, Silas along with 50 nursing experts will be compiling a report on nursing and patient care to be submitted to government.

YELLOW RIBBON AWARDS

SHERIE TOMISKI, from local #4, was nominated for her commitment to working at the grassroots level. She has been actively involved with the MNU for 11 years and has mentored new nurses and encouraged them to get involved with the union.

In addition to standing up for her fellow nurses, Sherie is a strong patient advocate.

“She is always up to the challenge of stepping forward and making sure the patient is put first and that they are receiving the best possible care, said Pamela Burns who has been personally mentored by Sherie over the past 18 months. “She doesn’t back down from a challenge and gives 100 per cent to everything she takes on.”

KATHERINE PENNER, from local #27, is described as a caring nurse, a passionate patient advocate and a dedicated union member.

She is known for leading by example and speaks softly, but with conviction and knowledge, that comes from years of experience.

“Katherine is quiet unless patient care is in jeopardy,” said Betty Loewen. “She spends countless hours of her own time to ensure the safety and comfort of those in her care.”

Katherine has been a ward rep for as long as anyone can remember and over this time she has mentored countless staff in both nursing and union issues. She takes time to stress the importance of completing work load staffing reports and has enlisted, encouraged and inspired many people over the years to become active in the union.

DIANNE BARKOWSKI, from local #26, is always ready and willing to explain the collective agreement and answer questions about the union to new members, or lend a helping hand.

“If there is any way that she can be of assistance to help relieve a heavy workload on a busy day, she is always the first one to offer to dispense medications, help with admission or whatever is needed, while still maintaining her own patient assignments,” said Karen Cleaver.

With Dianne, patients come first and foremost, and she has passed this belief on to many of the new nurses at the Swan Valley Health Centre.

“To her, patients are people, not a bed number, and if needed she will remind anyone who needs to be reminded of that,” said Cleaver.

BOARD MEMBERS RETIRE

CHERRYL LENTON from the Churchill/Burntwood Region and KAREN TERLINSKI from Misericordia Nurses will both retire from their positions on the MNU board on April 30, 2010.

RESEARCH TO ACTION

Research to Action (RTA) Program Coordinator Deanne O’Rourke, provided a summary of the Manitoba portion of the pilot project – Enhanced Orientation for Nurses New to Long Term Care. O’Rourke discussed the project’s implementation, benefits to the nurses participating in the project and evaluation findings to date.

During her speech, CFNU president Linda Silas congratulated O’Rourke on the program and referred to the Manitoba portion of the nationwide project as being ‘a pearl and shining example of how to work in long term care.

The project will wrap up at the end of April.