News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2003

Front-line workers need answers on SARS

TORONTO - Front line workers in Ontario’s hospitals and those providing other public services need information to protect themselves against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

OPSEU represents 100,000 public employees including professional and support staff at about 100 hospitals, ambulance paramedics, and technologists at provincial laboratories. Many of its members in the front lines of the fight against SARS are looking for answers. Some members of OPSEU Local 575 and 581 at the Scarborough Hospital are in their eighth day of quarantine. SARS patients have also been admitted to other hospitals and members are apprehensive about the shortage of protective gear such as masks.

“These health care workers are in the front lines of the fight against SARS, OPSEU President Leah Casselman said. “They are incredibly dedicated to their patients, but they need to know that the government and their employers will ensure their personal health and safety and compensate them for reduced staffing due to SARS. Members shouldn’t have to worry about losing pay as well as their personal safety. The Ministry of Health needs to ensure hospitals have the money to make these assurances.”

Eight Driver Examiner Centres in the Toronto area have been closed due to work refusals under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as the Ministry of Transportation failed to provide information to driver examiners about how to deal with SARS, and failed to provide any protective equipment. “Other front-line staff dealing with the public have similar concerns,” said Casselman.

OPSEU is posting SARS health and safety information for members on its web site.

Casselman noted we are now depending on scientists in Hong Kong to isolate the SARS virus. “The Ontario Ministry of Health fired its last five public health scientists last year, and now we have to depend on someone on the other side of the world to solve our problems for us. Shame on the Conservative government.”

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For further information: www.opseu.org

David Cox, OPSEU Communications: 416-443-8888 (ext 314)
Patty Rout, Chair, OPSEU Hospital Professionals Division: 905-576-8711 x3430