OWEN SOUND –Ontario Public Service Employees
Union President Warren (Smokey) Thomas visited the picket line
at the Grey Bruce Health Unit today, and expressed his concerns
about the financial management of the Health Unit.
Based on what he heard from union members,
Thomas will ask Health Minister George Smitherman to look
closely at the financial management of GBHU. He also called for
a summit meeting with the Grey Bruce Board of Health, to get the
facts into the open and kick-start bargaining.
“I’m really disturbed by what I’ve heard from
the members about how this unit is being run,” said Thomas. “We
think the financial management of the agency should be looked
into.”
Office and clerical workers, members of OPSEU
local 276, have been on strike since May 1. Wages for this group
lag 15 per cent behind their counterparts in other health units,
and in comparable jobs in Grey, Bruce, Simcoe, and across
Ontario.
Thomas said he did not believe the Board of
Health was aware of all of the facts, and wants to bring
representatives of the local to meet with the Board’s chair. “We
don’t believe the Board has been fully informed. We think that
if we have an opportunity to present our information directly,
it will lead to a fair offer and get these members back to work,
where they want to be.”
Thomas added. “We’d like Minister George
Smitherman to take a serious look at how this Health Unit has
managed its money. Every public body should be accountable, and
this one is no different.”
View
slide show of Smokey's tour
Grey Bruce Health Unit
Strike Index
