November 3, 2010 WALKERTON: At a public meeting attended by
about 150 people from across Bruce and Grey Counties, members of the
community expressed strong concerns about the way South Bruce Grey Health
Centre is being run.
Concerned ranged from the new, re-thermalized food brought
in from outside the region, to the issue of forcing staff to drive to work
at different sites around the region. Bullying by senior management was also
raised.
The union helped organize the meeting to allow the community
to respond to concerns about mounting chaos at the four-site facility.
Many speakers stressed the importance of maintaining strong
health care locally and stressed that the core of health care was respect
for the hard work, experience and expertise of health care workers.
The meeting, chaired by Brockton Deputy Mayor Rollie Anstett,
was held at Walkerton’s historic Victoria Jubilee Hall. Guest speakers
included Ontario Public Service Employees Union President Warren (Smokey)
Thomas.
Thomas donated cheques totaling $1,000 to the four hospital
foundations.
“The community has spoken and has voiced its serious
concerns about the chaos in this hospital corporation,” said Thomas, who
promised to arrange a meeting with the Minister of Health.
Also speaking on the rethermalized food issue and the
importance of local institutions purchasing locally, was Shane Jolley of the
Local Motive project.
OPSEU activist Jill McIllwraith addressed the issue of
bullying, raising specifically the removal of staff food and beverage
facilities by hospital administration. Dave Trumble of the Grey Bruce Labour
Council and former National Farmers Union coordinator Grant Robertson also
spoke on the importance of treating health care workers with respect.
Besides the podium guests, the Friends of Kincardine
Hospital also spoke to a number of issues of concern from the floor.
Hospital CEO Paul Davies was in the audience but did not
address the meeting. Noting he was in attendance, OPSEU Local 275 President
Trish Schaefer said “Paul, you have to do something!”
OPSEU represents about 275 full-time and part-time employees
in service, office and clerical and paramed (hospital professionals) at the
South Bruce Grey Health Centre.
The centre has four sites, in Walkerton, Kincardine, Chesley
and Durham, in Grey and Bruce Counties.
Grant Robertson, Shane Jolley, Trish
Schaefer, Smokey Thomas, Dave Trumble, Jill McIllwraith, David Cox
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