Flu Shot Update

 Well I'll try to make this a short update, lol!

 

Amantadine is an anti-viral drug that is used quite frequently in flu outbreaks. It's also used to treat Parkinson's disease!! Just some of the side effects are Restlessness, Jitteriness, Inability to concentrate, Irritability, Psychosis, Insomnia, Tremors, Confusion, Depression, Hallucinations, Congestive Heart Failure, Orthostatic Hypotension, urinary retention. Incredible eh??

 

Normally ever year I am approached about getting the flu shot and when I refuse I am asked to sign a paper which states that in the event of an outbreak I will be asked to stay home from work. No one approached me this year yet and I didn't sign anything but my union rep says we can't go on that because it's common practice and I could have approached them about it!

I e-mailed a letter to the Minister of Health, Dalton McGuinty, my local Member of Parliament (Ernie Parsons) and to my union asking what recourse I have and just what is the legality of what my employer was doing.

 

I was surprised to say the least to get a phone call from my MP bright and early Monday morning telling me he was sorry he had bad news for me and that what they were doing was totally legal and there was not much to be done about it. He didn't get my vote in the last election, but I was very impressed that he would actually take the time to call, so he will be getting my vote next time around!

 

Yesterday I got a call from the union steward at work who said none of the other 4 girls it affected wished to put in a grievance and that we really didn't have a leg to stand on. This morning I got a call from one of the UFCW big guys telling me to go ahead with my grievance because he feels this is going to become a big issue, especially with all the flu outbreak this year, and that it would be best to have it on the books for future grievances. So I guess I am going to go ahead and do that.

 

Then you won't believe this but my supervisor at work called this afternoon and told me that the outbreak had been lifted and that they would be opening their doors on Christmas day and that I could come back to work then (I am supposed to work Boxing Day, and Sat. and Sun.)!!! Mind you my two week waiting period for my flu shot to kick in is still not up!! It won't be until the 30th!! They were so concerned in the first place that I may infect everybody and I was told I couldn't come back till the two weeks were over and now they have changed their minds!! Give me a break!!!! Where did their concern for the residents health go??

 

I haven't got back to them yet. I want to talk to my union rep first and find out what the heck is going on. And I think I will call the health unit and see what their stand is on my going back before the two week period is up.

 

I am so confused!!!!

 

I will let you know what the next few days bring!