FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 15, 2000

OPSEU Fights Ottawa Hospital Hiring Practices

OTTAWA – Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 464 has filed a grievance against Ottawa Hospital for its process in hiring new Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (or Ultrasound Technologists) operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of various parts of the body. Using sound waves, they aid physicians in monitoring pregnancies and in diagnosing cardiac, vascular and other disorders.

In January the hospital told OPSEU it planned to start new sonographers at the top pay in the collective agreements. "We acknowledge there is a shortage of sonographers, and there are fewer graduates coming out of college because of program cuts by the government, but this isn’t the answer," said Mary Sue Smith, an OPSEU member at the hospitals’ General Campus.

"We flatly rejected the idea that they can violate our collective agreements just to remain competitive with the private sector," said OPSEU staff representative Sue McCulloch.

"We’re all in favour of bringing in new people, but you can’t start them at a higher rate than the current staff who are doing the job," she said. OPSEU represents 65 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers who work at the three campuses of Ottawa Hospital.

This practice has angered the senior sonographers, many of whom have turned down more lucrative job offers in the private sector because they like working at the hospital.

"It clearly tells them that all of their years of experience and dedication mean nothing," said McCulloch. "We suggested as an alternative, a new salary scale for sonographers that would let the hospital attract new staff and recognize our current members’ experience."

The hospital said no, and the union grieved.

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For further information: 

Bill Trbovich 416-448-7400
Sue McCulloch 613-739-9100