FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2004
OPSEU launches major campaign to raise profile of professionals in Ottawa hospitals
OTTAWA: The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is launching a major advertising campaign in Ottawa to support its hospital professionals who are seeking to raise the profile of more than 100 diagnostic, rehabilitative and therapeutic health professions.
This is part of the union’s ongoing campaign to highlight shortages in key health professions. More than 2,000 allied health professionals at The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic, General, Riverside and Rehab Centre campuses are now negotiating for an improved contract that will help recruit and retain staff. In Ottawa, OPSEU also represents health
care professionals at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre and Sisters of Charity of Ottawa Hospital.
”Our hospital professionals are exhausted from working impossibly long hours, in difficult circumstances, ” said OPSEU President Leah Casselman. “As a result, people are leaving these professions, and shortages are jeopardizing patient care. Our ongoing campaign is intended to address these conditions and the problem of staff shortages.”
“We know our hospital professionals are in demand across Canada and around the world,” said Tami MacDonald, chair of the OPSEU Local 464 bargaining team at The Ottawa Hospital. “We are looking to negotiate a competitive collective agreement so we can ensure the health and safety of our workers and the public.”
“Members in many hospitals are overworked due to staff shortages and face extreme pressure to work extended shifts, overtime or on-call hours, “ MacDonald said.” This is an extremely important round of bargaining for our members.”
OPSEU’s represents over 15,000 professionals who provide diagnostic, rehabilitative and therapeutic services in hospitals across Ontario. They include x-ray and lab technologists, technicians, biomedical engineers, health record professionals, social workers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and many other professions, to be featured in
transit, print and radio ads starting today.
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For further information:
Tami MacDonald, OPSEU Ottawa Office 613-739-4334
David Cox, OPSEU Communications, 1-800-268-7376 x 314
