Eighty-two per cent of British Columbians support talks between government, health employers and health unions to find alternatives to the privatization and contracting out of health care support services, according to a McIntyre and Mustel poll released today by the Hospital Employees’ Union (CUPE).
“In Tuesday’s throne speech, the government called for new cooperative relationships in health care,” says HEU secretary-business manager Chris Allnutt. “And according to this poll, most British Columbians also support this approach to finding solutions to our health care challenges.
“It’s time for the premier to apply Olympic ideals like cooperation and teamwork to health care,” says Allnutt. “We’ve called the premier’s office to indicate our willingness to begin talks. And clearly the public wants these discussions to happen.”
Only 14 per cent of those polled did not support talks and four per cent were undecided.
The question testing public support for health care talks was included in a McIntyre and Mustel telephone survey of 508 British Columbians conducted February 6—11. The poll is considered accurate to within 4.3 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
The question: Would you support or oppose the government and health care employers meeting with health care unions to negotiate alternatives to the privatization of support services such as housekeeping, laundry and food services?
N="508" Per cent Support
417
82.0
Oppose70
13.8
Don’t Know21
4.2
-30- Contact: Mike Old, communications officer, 604-828-6771 (cell)