AAHP Publications

Messages from the President 2010/2/19 Why I choose AAHP   I am proud to call the Association of Allied Health Professionals my union. AAHP originated on the east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1975. It continued to grow as health professionals recognized the need to have their own unique voice represented in healthcare, away from the trade unions that were developing at the time. As a separate entity, AAHP has focused on promoting our professions and the quality care we bring to our communities. Through the jurisdictional votes that the employer imposed in Western Health and Central Health we saw how hard our members fought to maintain their union of choice. While the total number of voters in these two boards posed a challenge to our members, they campaigned and showed up on voting day.  The numbers upon completion of counting demonstrated strongly that our members did not choose to leave AAHP.  Our members voted to keep AAHP along with other health professionals who saw us as the voice for health care professionals. The overall total of voters denied this choice.   In Eastern Health, we are not facing such a vote at this time. I ask members to take note of the loyalty that our members across the province have demonstrated when that choice to have one unique health professional union was put to them.  In Eastern Health we have a strong growing membership that is well positioned to continue meeting the challenges allied health professionals face in health care. This is no different from the days of AAHP’s origin. As other professionals such as Physicians, Nurses and Teachers have etched their unique position in Public Service, so have we as Allied Health Professionals.  AAHP has had a long standing reputation of representing its members and providing the necessary resources to meet our needs.  We will continue to do so into the future.   As President of AAHP I have seen the similarities between the way that I work as an Occupational Therapist and the way that AAHP works for us as members. AAHP as a union has been shaped by the professions that we represent.  AAHP is client centered. When you contact your union office, your call is confidential and you are made a priority.  Your issue or question is assessed by our knowledgeable labour relations team who can refer to our legal team as needed. The Executive, Board, Health Professional Council and site reps represent the interdisciplinary team who have the education and work experience in health care to advocate on your behalf.  Our focus on health care as it impacts our members now and into the future is why I choose AAHP.       Patti O'Keefe, President