FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2005
OPSEU to
Liberals: slam the brakes on Bluewater hospital cuts
SARNIA – Ontario’s Liberal
government needs to slam the brakes on further budget cuts to
Bluewater Health in Sarnia, the Ontario Public Service
Employees Union says.
The hospital, which announced
the elimination of 183 staff positions July 20, is currently
working on plans to cut a further $2.4 million in spending.
“The so-called ‘Peer Review
Process’ that led to the cuts did not work for Sarnia in July
and it does not work in September,” said Ann Steadman, unit
chair for OPSEU Local 145 at the hospital. “For example, you
can’t cut the palliative care unit of a hospital in the
Chemical Valley.”
The hospital will begin issuing
layoff notices in the days ahead. OPSEU members at the
hospital will join other staff and community members tomorrow
for a demonstration against the cuts.
Date: Wednesday, Sept.
14, 2005
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Place: Office of Caroline Di Cocco, MPP 201 Front
Street, SARNIA
“We think that, when it comes
to health care, it’s absolutely essential that our local MPP
stand up for the people of Sarnia,” said Steadman.
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For more information:
Ann Steadman (519) 464-4400
ext. 8417
