Hospital Professional members talk pensions, bargaining, and campaigning

By Wendy Lee, Local 575, inSolidarity

Hospital Professional Division (HPD) Caucus Meeting

The afternoon was chaired by Sara Labelle, HPD Division Chair. The meeting started with a presentation by the new President and Chief Executive Officer Annesley Wallace of HOOPP.

The other items that were discussed during this caucus meeting are as follows:

1. Bargaining Team Updates – Betty Palmieri, Central Bargaining Chair, Local 206

• Demands were passed in November 2024 at a province wide demand set meeting with Central participating Hospitals.
• OHA (Ontario Hospitals Association) does not want to finalize the selection of an arbitrator until ONA (Ontario Nursing Association) bargaining has been completed.
• Terms of reference need to be finalized with the OHA in May.
• Central Bargaining Dates are May 26^th, 27^th, 28^th, 29^th, 30^th, June 22^nd and 23^rd, 2025.
• Mediation dates are July 22^nd and 23^rd, 2025.

2. Campaigning for Awareness – Sara Labelle, HPD Division Chair, Local 348

• The HDP Rally is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28^th around lunch time for 1 hour.
• Location will be Sheraton Hotel where Central bargaining will be conducted.
• Locals can also plan for lunch time rallies at your own hospitals in support of the Bargaining Team should members not be able to attend in person.
• HPD will be distributing T-shirts to help with visibility.
• Pick up will be via point person(s) for each local as arranged during this caucus meeting.
• Funds have been allocated to assist in bringing awareness to HPD’s professionals and some of these funds will be allocated to the book off of members to becoming mobilizers for HPD.
• Please look out for the call out for applicants.
• Outstanding resolution for the “None Right to Strike Fund” was passed by the Executive Board Members after the 2024 Convention.
  • $2.7 million has been allocated for 2025
  • An influx of monies from HPD and other non-right to strike locals contributed from their wage reopeners.
• Lobby Day – 1 person of each local will be trained how to lobby local politicians.

3. Constitution and Resolutions Amendments – Sara Labelle, HPD Division Chair, Local

• Please review 23.1 b) and familiarize yourself with the proposed language
• Please familiarize yourself with the proposed language for Resolution Amendments – L6 and Constitution Amendments – H11.

4. HPD Dues – Brenda Allan, HPD Treasurer, Local 215

• HPD gave a treasurer’s report.
• A reminder for those locals that haven’t picked up their cooler bags from 2024 Convention, please reach out to Brenda at [email protected].
• The HPD dues collected supports many costs not covered centrally including scholarships, portfolio education, and swag HPD gives out at convention.

5. Reclassification Committee – Sandi Blancher, HPD Division Vice-Chair, Local 106

• Related to Collective Agreement Article 25.01 b).
• Registered Dietitians have 8 days scheduled with arbitrator.
• 3 other classifications are in the queue for arbitration (OT, PT and ECG technicians).
• They will be heard based on chronological order as grievances that were received.

6. Pay Equity – Sandi Blancher, HPD Division Vice-President, Local 106

• Maintenance phase will be underway shortly.
• There are 5-6 more new job classification to evaluate at this point prior to the implementation of the maintenance phase.

7. Job Security – Erica Benn, HPD Lead for Job Security, Local 4106

• A retention survey was sent to local presidents in March 2025.
• 28 locals responded.
• 100% facing recruitment and 80% retention concerns.
• 8 locals have identified as having incentive programs.
• Recruitment/retentions concerns with lab, pharmacy, DI, RRT, SW, OT, PT and perfusionists.
• Questions about Job Security? Email [email protected].

8. Benefits – Beverly Weaver, HPD Lead for Benefits, Local 4106

• Last round of HPD members received a $500 Health Care Spending Account (HCSA)
• Some Employers are levying employee premiums of 25% or $125, whether members are accessing the HSCA or not.
• Grievances need to be filed as this is not a fair practice
• Questions about Benefits? Email [email protected].

9. WSIB – Lisa Morabito, HPD Lead for WSIB, Local 215

• Day of Mourning is Monday, April 28^th, 2025
• With shortages of staff, there is an increase of repetitive injury strains and muscular skeletal injuries.
• Questions about WSIB? Email [email protected].

10. Health and Safety Concern – Christa Walker, HPD Lead for Health and Safety, Local 383

• OPSEU Head Office has been making their rounds through the region but offering information tours on health and safety education
• Day of Mourning Posters were available for pick up during the Caucus meeting
• If there are any injuries and an appeal is required, please ensure that the member speaks to an OPSEU Head Office Workers Safety Unit Representative for either WSIB, Health and Safety, and/or Pensions and Benefits Specialist.
• Questions about Health and Safety? Email [email protected].

11. Education – Gail Kelly, HPD Lead for Education and Communications, Local 715

• OPSEU scholarships are available for members and their families.
• There are 9 scholarships available in total.
• Please click on this link for application details – https://opseu.org/news/apply-now-for-opseu-sefpos-2025-26-scholarships/255509/

12. HPD Bootcamp – Sara Labelle, HPD Division Chair, Local 348

• Will be centrally funded as of this year.
• It will be held sometime between mid-late September or early October 2025.
• Further details to follow.

13. Broader Public Sector Conference – Sara Labelle, HPD Division Chair, Local 348

• Will start November 14^th, 2025.
• Divisional Meetings will be on November 15^th and 16^th, 2025.
• Location will be Sheraton Hotel downtown Toronto.

14. Pro-public Health Care Policy Conference – Sara Labelle, HPD Division Chair, Local

• For further information, please see this link for full details.
• https://opseu.org/en/news/hospital-professionals-dare-to-dream-of-a-sustainable-public-health-care-system-during-better-care-for-our-future-conference/250239/?utm_source=loop_img