Page 21 - OOHNA Spring-Summer 2017
P. 21
n Practice
WOrking WitH uniOnS – benefitS,
cHallengeS anD tipS fOr tHe OHn
by Michelle Tew, Patricia Phillips and Tracey Feener-Snow
Introduction
in the day to day work of keeping This article seeks to enhance OHNs
a workforce healthy and function- knowledge regarding unions in Ontario,
al, the occupational health nurse
(oHN) is challenged with balanc- explore challenges for the OHN and
ing management interests and
needs with those of workers. in union, and provide suggestions for an
some instances, the workforce is
represented by a union which may effective working relationship based on
be viewed as both an asset to the Union and OHN experience.
creation and maintenance of a
heathy workplace or a hindrance
to getting work done. oHNs gen-
erally have very little training or union act on april 18, 1872 which higher incomes and enjoy health
experience with labour unions – it legalized and protected unions care benefits at a higher rate than
isn’t part of an oHN curriculum, (canadian labour congress, 2017). non-unionized workplaces. this is
and most of the learning is on the today, approximately 32% of especially reflected in wages for
job. this article seeks to enhance canadian workers belong to some women where they earn on aver-
oHNs knowledge regarding age 35% more than non-unionized
776 unions in both the public and
unions in ontario, explore chal- private sectors. these include nurs- workplaces (canadian labour con-
lenges for the oHN and union, es, teachers, professional athletes, gress, 2017). Many have benefited
and provide suggestions for an hospitality workers as well as more from various union action in the
effective working relationship
traditionally unionized occupa- past such as paid maternity leave
based on union and oHN experi- tions such as construction workers, which the canadian union of Postal
ence. in preparation for this article, manufacturing jobs and retail sales Workers went on strike for in 1981.
interviews were conducted with clerks (united Food and commer- unionized workplaces are
union representatives regarding cial Workers canada, 2012). Per generally thought to have bet-
their experiences with oHNs as the Government of canada (2015), ter health and safety practices.
well as with oHNs with experience in ontario alone, over 1.5 million research has shown that union-
working with unions*. workers are unionized (27%). ized construction firms were 17%
unions in canada are regulated less likely to experience musculo-
Background on Unions by federal and provincial legisla- skeletal injuries and 29% less likely
unions have been in canada since tion. they are required by law to be to suffer critical injuries (amick et
the mid-1800s. in 1872, toronto democratic and financially account- al.,2015). unionized construction
Printers went on strike to demand able to their members. unions workers were also more likely to
a shorter work week, and won. negotiate a collective agreement report their ‘no lost time’ injuries
this strike, which helped con- which is a written contract contain- and accidents. it was thought that
vince more workers that joining ing provisions governing the terms these reporting practices enable
a union could change their lives, and conditions of employment. construction unions to better
was later known as the Nine-Hour there are advantages for work- identify and proactively manage
Movement and resulted in John a. ers to belong to a union. Workers workplace hazards that lead to
Macdonald introducing the trade who are unionized generally have injury. the authors propose that
*The participants were a convenience sample representing a variety of unions, OHNs and workplaces and are not intended to represent all union and OHN
experience. The experiences and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and are not to be considered the opinion of a specific union or workplace.
Some have chosen to remain anonymous.
OOHNA JOURNAL n spRiNg/sUmmeR 2017 19
WOrking WitH uniOnS – benefitS,
cHallengeS anD tipS fOr tHe OHn
by Michelle Tew, Patricia Phillips and Tracey Feener-Snow
Introduction
in the day to day work of keeping This article seeks to enhance OHNs
a workforce healthy and function- knowledge regarding unions in Ontario,
al, the occupational health nurse
(oHN) is challenged with balanc- explore challenges for the OHN and
ing management interests and
needs with those of workers. in union, and provide suggestions for an
some instances, the workforce is
represented by a union which may effective working relationship based on
be viewed as both an asset to the Union and OHN experience.
creation and maintenance of a
heathy workplace or a hindrance
to getting work done. oHNs gen-
erally have very little training or union act on april 18, 1872 which higher incomes and enjoy health
experience with labour unions – it legalized and protected unions care benefits at a higher rate than
isn’t part of an oHN curriculum, (canadian labour congress, 2017). non-unionized workplaces. this is
and most of the learning is on the today, approximately 32% of especially reflected in wages for
job. this article seeks to enhance canadian workers belong to some women where they earn on aver-
oHNs knowledge regarding age 35% more than non-unionized
776 unions in both the public and
unions in ontario, explore chal- private sectors. these include nurs- workplaces (canadian labour con-
lenges for the oHN and union, es, teachers, professional athletes, gress, 2017). Many have benefited
and provide suggestions for an hospitality workers as well as more from various union action in the
effective working relationship
traditionally unionized occupa- past such as paid maternity leave
based on union and oHN experi- tions such as construction workers, which the canadian union of Postal
ence. in preparation for this article, manufacturing jobs and retail sales Workers went on strike for in 1981.
interviews were conducted with clerks (united Food and commer- unionized workplaces are
union representatives regarding cial Workers canada, 2012). Per generally thought to have bet-
their experiences with oHNs as the Government of canada (2015), ter health and safety practices.
well as with oHNs with experience in ontario alone, over 1.5 million research has shown that union-
working with unions*. workers are unionized (27%). ized construction firms were 17%
unions in canada are regulated less likely to experience musculo-
Background on Unions by federal and provincial legisla- skeletal injuries and 29% less likely
unions have been in canada since tion. they are required by law to be to suffer critical injuries (amick et
the mid-1800s. in 1872, toronto democratic and financially account- al.,2015). unionized construction
Printers went on strike to demand able to their members. unions workers were also more likely to
a shorter work week, and won. negotiate a collective agreement report their ‘no lost time’ injuries
this strike, which helped con- which is a written contract contain- and accidents. it was thought that
vince more workers that joining ing provisions governing the terms these reporting practices enable
a union could change their lives, and conditions of employment. construction unions to better
was later known as the Nine-Hour there are advantages for work- identify and proactively manage
Movement and resulted in John a. ers to belong to a union. Workers workplace hazards that lead to
Macdonald introducing the trade who are unionized generally have injury. the authors propose that
*The participants were a convenience sample representing a variety of unions, OHNs and workplaces and are not intended to represent all union and OHN
experience. The experiences and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and are not to be considered the opinion of a specific union or workplace.
Some have chosen to remain anonymous.
OOHNA JOURNAL n spRiNg/sUmmeR 2017 19
