2 More Sections Announce Their Support
VOTING FOR OSA REFERENDUM – NOVEMBER 25-27th
Referendum Update:
Thousands of Ontario Specialists will be eligible to vote in the OSA’s historic referendum to seek the choice to form an organisation other than the OMA for the purpose of specifically representing the needs of Ontario specialists, particularly as it applies to negotiations.
While some Section leaders have chosen not to participate in the referendum, the OSA believes that Ontario specialists should be given the opportunity for self-determination to achieve real results at the negotiation table. We encourage Specialists to ask their Section/Association leaders to support their specialty’s involvement in the referendum. Contact the OSA to get involved: info@specialistsontario.com
Several OMA Sections are reporting difficulty obtaining the promised support from OMA leadership that they would not interfere in providing necessary membership information to any interested section. Despite that, we are pleased to report that many sections now have complete membership lists that permit them and the OSA to communicate and participate in the referendum.
Referendum Question:
Whereas the number of general practitioners in the Ontario Medical Association (“OMA”) is far greater than the number of physicians in any speciality section;
And whereas a new organization, the Ontario Specialists’ Association (the “OSA”), has recently formed to represent the interests of physicians practising in specialty areas;
And whereas the OSA is committed to be a non-Randed organization;
Now therefore, the members of this specialty section are hereby asked to vote on the followingresolution:
1. Be it resolved that the [________] Section of the OMA should withdraw from the OMA and join the OSA to permit the OSA to negotiate directly with the Ontario government on behalf of the section.
Referendum Logistics:
The OSA has contracted Simply Voting, an established referendum/election company that is experienced in municipal elections and other major activities. They have the proven capability to conduct the OSA referendum in a fully professional manner that will safeguard all participants anonymity and security. Specialist voters will receive an email containing a double authentication containing unique identifiers from the referendum company providing them with the necessary information to vote electronically via their section. As with OMA and other organised voting activities, 50.1% is a majority vote.
Specialists who do not have an identified email address will receive a “ballot letter” mailed to them by Simply Voting. It provides them with their authentication info permitting them to vote online. We encourage these specialists to also take the opportunity when voting to provide their email address so that their sections can communicate with them. The decision of the referendum will be announced first to the participating Sections and then more widely to the physician community.
Referendum Town Halls for Your Section:
Please contact the OSA to set up an electronic Town Hall meeting for your Section to discuss why the OSA is the only credible option for your specialty colleagues. Interest from sections can come from rank and file members as well as section leaders. Find out how your section can be empowered by joining the OSA. For more info contact info@specialistsontario.com or our website www.specialistsontario.com
OSA in the News:
See the Op-Ed piece written by Dr. David Jacobs in the Toronto Sun describing why the OSA is needed.
OSA Makes Contact with Quebec Specialists Federation:
The OSA has been in contact with the Quebec Specialists Federation. Their representatives spoke about their great success in the 2015 negotiations. Our Quebec counterpart has offered to provide logistical support in the form of sharing key documents addressing governance, by-laws and organisation. The OSA looks forward to working together with the Federation to advancing the collective agenda of specialists through combined synergies.
OSA Strikes a Governance Sub-Committee:
The last OSA Board teleconference confirmed the need to fast-track the development of our governance model. Some board members accepted the task and have already produced a concise and powerful document that will ensure the fairness, transparency and accountability for all specialty areas, particularly the small sections who have been ignored for far too long.
OSA Receives Letter of Intent for Insurance:
Recently the OSA sent out a communique to Ontario Specialists on life, disability and critical illness insurance. Insurance is a primary concern for members who join the OSA, specifically their current OMA group life, disability and critical illness insurance. The OSA made it a priority to obtain equivalent or better high-quality insurance from a major conservative Canadian insurer to ensure that important concerns of Ontario specialists were addressed. We are continuing to work closely with this major insurance company to bring services that will meet the needs of our members. More details will be following shortly.