October 14 2020
10:30-12:00
- Roll Call
Attendees – Algoma, Belleville, Capreol, Emery Keelesdale, Georgian, Georgina, Glengarry, Hong Fook, Ingersoll, Lakehead, Lakeshore (formerly VON), Smith Falls, Sudbury, Twin Bridges, North Muskoka, Waterloo, West Parry Sound, White River, Peterborough 360
- Roundtable
- Review previous minutes
- Action Items from previous meeting
4.1 NPLC Data Strategy – Ellen Walker presented a review of ToR for the Data Strategy Committee. There are still openings on the committee and anyone interested in participating can contact Ellen. Discussion on the need for data sharing agreements to be in place.
4.2 NPLCA Website contract – Quote from NPAO’s IT consultant Duncan Mountford includes new domain, one server, separate membership database, e-commerce platform, ongoing monitoring and management of website. Will look at getting another quote to compare. Discussion of how much of website maintenance could be done by NPLCA. Sharon Bevington offered to assist with website development process.
- New Business
5.1 Unionization – Members Only Meeting – NPLCs being scouted by ONA, offering pandemic pay to increase interest in unionization among staff. Essex and White River now unionized. Conversation with lawyer (Willis Business Law) – NPLCs have 2 days to respond to notice of unionization by ONA. Be aware of ONA strategy to encourage NPs who support ONA to apply for jobs and then they bring in union once hired. 40% of staff need to sign interest in unionization, then 50%+1 required to join ONA (2 Phases. 40% to “card”, then 50% +1 to confirm). Documents have been developed to support NPLCs in how to communicate with staff. Called Project Orange in password protected document which Jennifer Clement will share.
Tips for discussing with staff – Focus on positives of current working environment – flex time, benefits, vacation, etc above what ESA requires.. NP Leads in ONA not able to see patients. MOH will not give additional budget to NPLCs to cover additional costs of unionization such as arbitration. Possibility that all NPLCs will be integrated into one bargaining unit. Suggestion not to react if served with unionization notice. Can contact lawyer for further information for separate conversations or presentations. Jennifer will take back specific questions raised by the group to the lawyer.
5.2 NP remuneration for covid assessment centres – Valerie Winberg at Twin Bridges – from Jan-March they ran walk in flu clinic with extra funding from LHIN to help prevent ED visits. They became one of the first AC on March 14 as a result. No contract, verbal agreement with LHIN/hospital, rate of $129/hr for NPs was negotiated and this is what has been billed for past 7 months (evening and w/e work on top of regular clinic work). Over 400 patients seen each shift. Now they are being asked to sign a contract from the hospital and the compensation for NPs is being reduced 40% to $75.76. Physicians bill $170/hr at AC for daytime rate, evening/weekend rate is higher. Other ACs now opening in the area (FHT) and the hospital wants all the NPs paid the same. Three items not included in $38/swab calculation – capital costs (in kind contribution), PPE, and physician remuneration. This results in unlevel playing field in cost analysis. Shoppers Drug Mart now has contract for swabs processed in California, SDM being paid $47/swab. Working group will be formed, Valerie will chair, NPAO to participate. Katie Hogue at WPSNPLC built in stipend of $10k for this work in her area. NPLCA will develop list of stakeholders to send the messaging too.
Stephanie Nevins (Ingersoll NPLC) has meeting with Finance Minister, will discuss pay equity.
5.3 Flu clinics – clinics shared how they are organizing their flu clinics, some starting this week, booked appointments, staggered appointments, >65 coming in separately, high dose vaccine in short supply, drive through being offered by Kyle Jessiman & Glengarry
6.0 Next Meeting – November 11, 2020 at 10:30
