Descrimination: A full hot meal or soup and a sandwich

Nurses General Nursing

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Just when I thought our management couldn't get any more pathetic. Well, they have pushed the envelope even further.

At the begining of December the dietary manager decided (without notice) that the meal times during the day were going to change. Staff were not going to be served a full hot meal until after 12:30 pm, after the residents have all eaten their lunch. However, there are two categories of workers that usually have their lunch earlier which is 10:45 am and 11:15 am. They are the Practical Nurses and the Care Aides. For these workers they will only be entitled to have hot soup and a sandwich.

Well this didn't sit too well with these workers. So they decided on their own to change their lunch times in order for them to have the same full hot meal options that the rest of the workers were having in the building. Well the Director of Nursing got wind of this and she was not impressed. She ordered the Practical Nurses and the Care Aides to go back to their previous meal times and any change in staff meal times must go through proper channels and put to a vote with the union.

I have since filed a descrimination grievance and nothing will be looked into until after the first week of January. However, with this particular union's lousy track record of not wanting to hold the employer accountable on anything, I'm not holding my breath. So for over a month the Practical Nurses and the Care Aides will be served the equivalant of a soup kitchen at lunch time, even though their shift starts the same time as other departments (including the R.N.'s) in the building and will be treated as second class health care workers. This has created enourmous amounts of unnecesary tenstion through out the building.

Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

Good Luck

BTW, I would love to work with my hubby, but I understand why you wouldn't.

Specializes in mental health; hangover remedies.
Many officials such as the ones here locally have this mentality that the members are answerable to them when in reality it should be the other way around.

Other issues have arisen since this thread was started that the union is also unwilling to pursue. Essentially my co-workers and I have to make a decision of whether or not to get rid of this union and find another one. Having said that, to get rid of a union is a nightmare and a half, but that's a topic for another thread.

So discrimination against the Practical Nurses and the Aides will be allowed to continue in our facility (which is one of three).

Thanks for the update.

Initiate a vote of no confidence and spell out the failings.

Presumably the union reps answer to someone higher.

The employers don't pay their wages and when the cash dries up - people will listen up.

Now I can raise my issue -

I have free accommodation and utilities - a nice 2 bedroom unit, fully a/c with all amenities. It came as part of my job with no strings attached.

Now they want me to share the other bedroom with people I haven't met 'cos they're short on space for non-nursing staff.

Anyone else in that situation?

What should I do?

Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
Thanks for the update.

Initiate a vote of no confidence and spell out the failings.

Presumably the union reps answer to someone higher.

Be careful with that, it could boomerang

The employers don't pay their wages and when the cash dries up - people will listen up.

Again be careful, it may be a problem for you if you dont pay your dues

Now I can raise my issue -

I have free accommodation and utilities - a nice 2 bedroom unit, fully a/c with all amenities. It came as part of my job with no strings attached.

Now they want me to share the other bedroom with people I haven't met 'cos they're short on space for non-nursing staff.

Anyone else in that situation?

Get advise from a lawyer!!! I wouldnt agree off the bat- lack of space is their problem- you don't have to be the solution. A roommate could bring a lot of problems for you

What should I do?

Good Luck!!!

Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.
Thanks for the update.

Initiate a vote of no confidence and spell out the failings.

Presumably the union reps answer to someone higher.

The employers don't pay their wages and when the cash dries up - people will listen up.

Now I can raise my issue -

I have free accommodation and utilities - a nice 2 bedroom unit, fully a/c with all amenities. It came as part of my job with no strings attached.

Now they want me to share the other bedroom with people I haven't met 'cos they're short on space for non-nursing staff.

Anyone else in that situation?

What should I do?

I would check my contract verbage and make sure you aren't obligated to allow that to happen. I'd say no, or ask how they planned on compensating me for the inconvenience....such as: are you providing me monetarily for this placement; lets face it-it's a hardship having to share with people, but outright ridiculous to share with strangers. At least nurses require background checks, how are you supposed to know who these people are?

Good luck

Specializes in LTC & Teaching.

Actually on a few ocaisions in the past, I have written complaint letters to higher up union officials at the National Office. I learned something very quickly, the rights of members mean nothing, solidarity amongst union officials is everything. I have been raked over the coals numerous times by labour officials. A few years ago the then president of the local was so furious with me becuase I was trying to hold him accountable for not doing his job that he even reported me to the employer about a meeting that he had changed himself and all I was doing was following up on it. I nearly got fired.

Needless to say I have no trust in labour officials who exploit and fail to represent their members.

Specializes in Geriatrics.
Actually on a few ocaisions in the past, I have written complaint letters to higher up union officials at the National Office. I learned something very quickly, the rights of members mean nothing, solidarity amongst union officials is everything. I have been raked over the coals numerous times by labour officials. A few years ago the then president of the local was so furious with me becuase I was trying to hold him accountable for not doing his job that he even reported me to the employer about a meeting that he had changed himself and all I was doing was following up on it. I nearly got fired.

Needless to say I have no trust in labour officials who exploit and fail to represent their members.

only time i joined a union was my first job in the factories. The union sold us out to the management, I left that place and never worked Union again. I don't believe in paying someone to exploit me and make my life harder.

Specializes in LTC & Teaching.
only time i joined a union was my first job in the factories. The union sold us out to the management, I left that place and never worked Union again. I don't believe in paying someone to exploit me and make my life harder.

Well Said !!!

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