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News - October 2009

The headlines for news items published during this month are listed below.

Click on the headline of your choice to see the entire text of the article.

• ‘Time to give ‘Rands’ the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits of NHU membership!

Time to give ‘Rands’ the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits of NHU membership!

Posted October 19, 2009

Each autumn, in preparation for our Local Annual General Meetings, the National Health Union asks our executives and activists to reach out to those co-workers who, for one reason or another, have yet to sign a union card.

Some of your colleagues may not appreciate that the requirement to pay union dues does not mean they are members in good standing. Only those employees who complete and sign an application for membership can be members of the PSAC and NHU.

While full membership costs nothing more, it does entitle the member to such benefits as life, home and automobile insurance at reduced rates. Non-members also have no voice or vote when it comes to making critical decisions that impact their working lives.

These non-members are as ‘Rands’. The term comes from a landmark ruling made by Mr. Justice Ivan Rand some 60 years ago. The principle is that all workers – whether union members or not – benefit from a union-negotiated contract. While no-one would be forced to join the union, ‘free-loading’ would not be permitted. If you got the benefit, he ruled, you should help pay the cost. So, Rands are required in fairness to pay union dues.

So, now is the time to approach your co-workers to sign a union membership application. We would also encourage anyone uncertain as to their membership status to check their status with their Local officers. It’s as simple as looking up your name on the membership list and letting you know where you stand.

Most Rands have simply never been provided an opportunity to sign a card, as we no longer have compulsory orientation sessions at Health Canada.

As the cliché goes, we are only as strong as our weakest link. Recruiting any new members who were formally Rands will help us forge a strong and unbreakable chain of membership solidarity.