Shared by a FSH RN who came back to work the morning of June 11 shortly after MNA’s one-day strike for patient safety ended.
Some nurses begin our shifts at 6:30am and as instructed we reported for duty. Some were allowed to punch in others not. We were “escorted” to a conference room where we were told to wait until 7am. There were 11 RN’s from 2 departments. One nurse asked if she could use the restroom and/or get something to drink–the answer was No. Another nurse asked if she could get some items from her locker in the staff lounge (which was right next door) the answer was NO. We were told we could spend the 30 minutes doing a secretarial task of putting packets of paperwork together (no one did!!) When in the room we had a babysitter (someone assigned from HR). At 7am we all got up to leave and escorted by the babysitter to a side public door that was locked (we could not get in or out). I guess that would be a “lock-in” ( sorry-could not resist!!) After a few minutes of confusion on the babysitter’s part we were escorted to Door 2 the Skyway entrance and allowed to join the picket line. I guess we all felt like criminals and were especially concerned with the lack of respect. I’m not sure anyone has the right to refuse to let someone use the restroom???