I enjoy being able to help people feel better about their day
News
“I work as a medical imaging clerk at a health centre. I act as a liaison communicating with patients, doctors, technologists and nurses. I’m responsible for booking patients for imaging services such as ultrasounds, CT scans, or X-rays. I need to know a …
Last updated: Aug 1, 2023
It’s fundamental to take care of these people day in and day out
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“I work in the private sector as a cook at a residential care facility in the Okanagan. In a typical day, I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for 140 residents. We have roughly 34 assisted living residents, who eat directly out of the dining room or …
Last updated: Jul 24, 2023
Finding common ground with temporary foreign workers
News
From the Summer 2023 HEU Guardian “We need foreign workers. And we need them to be protected,” says an HEU local chair at a for-profit long-term care home on Vancouver Island. She is concerned about the vulnerability of temporary foreign workers at her …
Last updated: Jan 8, 2024
Rise in child labour reports in U.S.
News
From the Summer 2023 HEU Guardian Child labour in the United States is far from a thing of the past, and experts says they’re not surprised to hear the U.S. Department of Health and the Department of Labor have seen a 69 per cent increase in companies …
Last updated: Jan 8, 2024
Breaking ground in bargaining
News
From the Summer 2023 HEU Guardian When contract talks began for a new Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) collective agreement last winter, it felt like B.C. was finally coming out of the darkest days of the global pandemic. But there was a profound …
Last updated: Jan 8, 2024
Solidarity with the faculty and students targeted in violent attack at the University of Waterloo
News
HEU stands in solidarity with the students, faculty, and the broader community of the University of Waterloo, especially those who were targeted in a hateful attack on June 28. Universities should be places for students to learn without fear, and where …
Last updated: Jun 30, 2023
This work stays with you, you don't leave your job behind
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“When a patient feels confident in what you’re doing with them – whether it be taking them to the lab, or giving them a wash – whenever they say, ‘I really appreciate what you’ve done for me today’ – that’s definitely the most satisfying part of my job. I …
Last updated: Jul 17, 2023
I like people and love hearing their stories
News
“I live in a small town and lost my dream job. To be honest, I never thought I would work in health care, but I didn’t have a lot of options. I’ve been working as a lab assistant for more than seven years now, and I’m active in the union. I love to learn. …
Last updated: Jul 11, 2023
The residents are like part of my family now
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“I’ve been working in residential care for nine years as a care aide. I spend more time at my work than at home, so the residents are like part of my family now. I like being able to make a difference in the residents’ lives, putting a smile on their …
Last updated: Jul 11, 2023
The pandemic certainly shone a light on the staffing crisis and workload for health care workers
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“I work as a Cook at a complex care facility with an assisted living site attached. If I work the morning shift, I’m in charge of breakfast and lunch for the residents, and on evenings, I take care of dinner. I’m also responsible for ordering the …
Last updated: Jul 11, 2023