FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 1999. Privatization one step closer with layoffs Toronto – The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health last week took what workers warn is a dangerous step towards the privatization of mental health services. Following the recommendations of outside consultants, the board of trustees announced the ‘downsizing’ of 65 support services staff and contracting out of several management positions. "They say this is a ‘compromise,’" says Nancy Pridham, a nurse and OPSEU member. "How can removing people with direct experience with the mentally ill be anything but a compromise to patient care?" "The board has made a Pontius Pilate decision," says Richard Coburn, a housekeeping worker at the Queen Street facility. "They’ve basically washed their hands and left the decision-making to the consultants." Workers are concerned that the outsourcing of food will have a negative impact on the nutritional needs of patients. "This is unacceptable in a facility where food is an integral part of treatment," says Pridham. In two reports submitted to the board of the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, the union concluded that contracting-out costs more than it saves. Snow removal brought the issue of contracted-out work home more recently: "It took days," says Coburn, "and even then they managed to bury the fire hydrants and cover the fire doors. It was a health and safety disaster." In an open letter to the board, the union concludes that the only way to provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective services, is to do it yourself. "Keeping services in-house gives you flexibility and accountability. Once you contract out, you have no control over the quality of services provided, and they go straight downhill." "From the beginning of our discussions about contracting out, management kept referring to support services as ‘non-core activities’ or the ‘hotel-side’ of the operation," says Addiction Research Foundation editorial coordinator Myles Magner. "They have no concern for maintaining the quality of services, whether it’s food preparation, cleaning, or keeping the buildings in good working order." Contact: Nancy Pridham, 532.2712, Myles Magner, 595.6713
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