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KITCHENER - On Wednesday, May 22, Grand River Hospital health care workers represented by Unifor, Ontario Nurses Association, Ontario Public Service Employees Union and United Steel Workers will rally to stop layoffs, service reductions and demand the employer respect the commitment made to the unions on moving to the pension plan that covers hospital workers across the province.
"The newly hired CEO at Grand River Hospital is making his mark by issuing lay-offs and reducing services," said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. "Added to that is his disrespect for his workforce by attempting to stop the move to a pension plan that he himself has the benefit of enjoying.”
The Health Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) is a joint contributory plan that has been in place for most hospital workers for decades. It offers greater security to retire, after a career of what can be physically and mentally demanding work.
Grand River Hospital has given notice of lay-off to 60 employees including RPN’s RN’s clinical assistants, personal support workers and clerical staff. While some employee’s were redeployed to vacancies, the net result is a reduction in services, as well as future jobs in the communities served by the hospital.
"Addressing the deficit by harming the quality of patient care is a recipe for disaster. These service reductions and layoffs will increase patient wait times and ultimately hurt the Kitchener-Waterloo community, and is a direct contradiction to the pre-election promises of the Ford Government who committed no public sector workers would lose their job,” continued Rizvi.
For more information please visit www.caretakestime.ca
