Update - Patient's First Act Re-introduction 10/07/16
On September 8, 2016 the Ontario Legislature was prorogued. This meant that any unpassed bills or motions such as the Patient’s First Act (Bill 210) became non-existent requiring Bill 210 to be reintroduced in the new session of the Legislature which began on September 12, 2016.
The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Doctor Eric Hoskins, had committed to reintroduce the Patient’s First Act as soon as possible and this occurred yesterday on October 6, 2016.
COPE Local 550 will continue to keep all members updated on the reintroduction of the Patient’s First Act.
The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Doctor Eric Hoskins, had committed to reintroduce the Patient’s First Act as soon as possible and this occurred yesterday on October 6, 2016.
COPE Local 550 will continue to keep all members updated on the reintroduction of the Patient’s First Act.
Update: Patient’s First Act - Bill 210 10/06/16
In a recent communication from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Doctor Eric Hoskins restated the Ministry’s commitment to reintroduce the Patient’s First Act as soon as possible.
On September 8, 2016 the Ontario Legislature was prorogued. This means that any unpassed bills or motions such as Bill 210, are now non-existent and will have to be reintroduced in the new session of the Legislature which began on September 12, 2016.
COPE Local 550 will continue to keep all members updated on the reintroduction of the Patient’s First Act.
On September 8, 2016 the Ontario Legislature was prorogued. This means that any unpassed bills or motions such as Bill 210, are now non-existent and will have to be reintroduced in the new session of the Legislature which began on September 12, 2016.
COPE Local 550 will continue to keep all members updated on the reintroduction of the Patient’s First Act.
Bill 210, Patients First Act - Update 6/14/16
On June 2, 2016, the government of Ontario introduced Bill 210, containing the Patients First Act, 2016. It is anticipated that the Bill 210 will pass sometime in the fall of 2016. For full details click here.
On June 2, 2016, the government of Ontario introduced Bill 210, containing the Patients First Act, 2016. It is anticipated that the Bill 210 will pass sometime in the fall of 2016. For full details click here.
Update from the Consultation on Patients First Discussion Paper 4/11/16
COPE attended a meeting on April 11, 2016 with government officials from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. All the unions involved in representing employees working in the CCACs had representatives in attendance at this meeting (COPE, ONA, CUPE, OPSEU and Unifor).
We were informed that the government hopes to introduce legislation to deal with the merger of the CCACs into the LHINs by the end of this legislative session which is June 10, 2016. They hope to have the legislation passed in the fall of 2016. The Ministry officials also indicated that a transition date will be set for the merger of the CCACs into the LHINs, which will probably be in 2017.
Ministry officials once again stated that unionized workers will transition to the LHINs or the newly merged entity with their collective agreements and their bargaining agents.
There are approximately 6500 CCAC employees and 650 LHINs employees, in total, affected by the merger. Employees moving to the new entity will be deemed to have their employment continued when they move to the new entity.
The successorship provisions of the Labour Relations Act will apply for the initial merger.
If there is to be restructuring of the LHINs (e.g. change of boundaries, etc.) it will take place later sometime after the 2017 transition date.
THE TAKEAWAY REMAINS THE SAME:
If you have any questions, please contact COPE at 416-703-8515 and speak with Maureen O’Halloran, Trish Qualtrough or Liz Fong.
COPE attended a meeting on April 11, 2016 with government officials from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. All the unions involved in representing employees working in the CCACs had representatives in attendance at this meeting (COPE, ONA, CUPE, OPSEU and Unifor).
We were informed that the government hopes to introduce legislation to deal with the merger of the CCACs into the LHINs by the end of this legislative session which is June 10, 2016. They hope to have the legislation passed in the fall of 2016. The Ministry officials also indicated that a transition date will be set for the merger of the CCACs into the LHINs, which will probably be in 2017.
Ministry officials once again stated that unionized workers will transition to the LHINs or the newly merged entity with their collective agreements and their bargaining agents.
There are approximately 6500 CCAC employees and 650 LHINs employees, in total, affected by the merger. Employees moving to the new entity will be deemed to have their employment continued when they move to the new entity.
The successorship provisions of the Labour Relations Act will apply for the initial merger.
If there is to be restructuring of the LHINs (e.g. change of boundaries, etc.) it will take place later sometime after the 2017 transition date.
THE TAKEAWAY REMAINS THE SAME:
- CCACs will be dissolved into the LHINs with their current collective agreements in place
- This will happen by early 2017 with no boundary changes according to the Ministry
- All of this will probably happen under the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act (PSLRTA - explanation of PSLRTA here) making it as simple and smooth a transition as possible
If you have any questions, please contact COPE at 416-703-8515 and speak with Maureen O’Halloran, Trish Qualtrough or Liz Fong.
Update from the Consultation on Patients First Discussion Paper 3/1/16
All labour unions representing employees at the CCACs (including COPE) attended a consultation meeting with Tim Hadwen speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, on February 24, 2016.
Mr. Hadwen began by stating that the Ministry wants to make dissolving the CCACs into the LHINs as smooth as possible and a simple transition for employees. They are not looking at changing any boundaries at this time.
Successor rights under the Ontario Labour Relations Act were discussed but the unions present took the position that the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act (PSLRTA) should be used as it includes the CCACs and would make everything less complicated. The consensus of the unions present was to use PSLTRA in lieu of any provisions of the Act.
He then discussed that LHINS are crown agencies and come under the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act, and whether or not CCAC employees would then become crown employees? The consensus of the unions present again was NO, they should not become crown employees and a simple solution would be to amend PSLRTA to include the LHINs. It would be a disadvantage for CCAC employees to become crown employees.
According to the Ministry the target timeframe for the CCACs to be dissolved into the LHINs is early 2017.
COPE has sent our response to the Ministry in support of using PSLRTA and amending PSLRTA to include the LHINS.
THE TAKEAWAY:
If you have any questions, please contact COPE at 416-703-8515 and speak with Maureen O’Halloran, Trish Qualtrough or Liz Fong.
All labour unions representing employees at the CCACs (including COPE) attended a consultation meeting with Tim Hadwen speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, on February 24, 2016.
Mr. Hadwen began by stating that the Ministry wants to make dissolving the CCACs into the LHINs as smooth as possible and a simple transition for employees. They are not looking at changing any boundaries at this time.
Successor rights under the Ontario Labour Relations Act were discussed but the unions present took the position that the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act (PSLRTA) should be used as it includes the CCACs and would make everything less complicated. The consensus of the unions present was to use PSLTRA in lieu of any provisions of the Act.
He then discussed that LHINS are crown agencies and come under the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act, and whether or not CCAC employees would then become crown employees? The consensus of the unions present again was NO, they should not become crown employees and a simple solution would be to amend PSLRTA to include the LHINs. It would be a disadvantage for CCAC employees to become crown employees.
According to the Ministry the target timeframe for the CCACs to be dissolved into the LHINs is early 2017.
COPE has sent our response to the Ministry in support of using PSLRTA and amending PSLRTA to include the LHINS.
THE TAKEAWAY:
- CCACs will be dissolved into the LHINs with their current collective agreements in place
- This will happen by early 2017 with no boundary changes according to the Ministry
- All of this will probably happen under the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act (PSLRTA - explanation of PSLRTA here) making it as simple and smooth a transition as possible
If you have any questions, please contact COPE at 416-703-8515 and speak with Maureen O’Halloran, Trish Qualtrough or Liz Fong.
January 22, 2016 - What we know...
Currently we know that the paper is in the process of being reviewed to decide on it's implementation and how they will move forward.
We know the Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) integration into the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) could trigger a Public Sector Labour Relations Transitions Act (PSLRTA) vote depending on if they change the existing boundaries and how they change them.
The best case scenario is the boundaries do not change and our current agreement will stay in place with only a name change of your employer from the CCACs to the LHINs.
COPE is preparing for all options and has developed this site to inform and update our membership.