The Hospital Employees’ Union (CUPE) says it will work with Northern Health Authority officials to prevent the privatization of critical health services, but cautions that it will take more than the good intentions expressed at yesterday’s NHA board meeting for hospital workers to give up hard won wages and benefits.
“The NHA Board’s resolve to eliminate contracting out from its current business plan is a good first step,” says HEU northern director Kathy Jessome. “But while we are hopeful that a solution can be found that will retain the skills and experience of front-line health care workers, our members must be assured that any sacrifice they make is matched with a guarantee that closes the door on contracting-out and privatization.”
Jessome says privatization robs the health care system of accountability and bleeds family supporting wages out of local economies.
Currently there are more than 2,000 HEU members working in health care facilities throughout the north.
-30- Contact: Kathy Jessome, northern director, 250-960-9786 (cell); office 250-564-2102; Patty Gibson, communications officer, 604-456-7007 or 604-328-7393 (cell)