B.C.'s largest health care union says it will work closely with newly appointed Health Minister Mike Farnworth to protect and modernize the province's public health care system. "Minister Farnworth has been handed one of the most challenging portfolios in government," says Chris Allnutt, secretary-business manager of the 45,000 member Hospital Employees' Union. "And his job has been made even more difficult by the failure of the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities to fund our Medicare system in yesterday's budget." "The minister has our full support in his efforts to get the federal government back in the game of funding Medicare," adds Allnutt. "And he can count on HEU's cooperation in making sure that British Columbians receive the high quality public health services they demand and deserve." HEU will seek a meeting with the new minister as soon as possible to discuss pressing issues such as health care funding, seniors' care, workplace injuries in health care and the fight against privatization. Allnutt also conveyed his union's best wishes to former health minister Penny Priddy in her new responsibilities as education minister. "Penny Priddy has been a tireless advocate for quality, publicly delivered health care," says Allnutt.