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"There’s absolutely no question HEABC’s notice to cut pharmacists’ wages by 9 to 14 per cent is short-sighted and ill-considered.” - Jeanne Meyers, Executive Director, HSABC/NUPGE.
Vancouver (19 Jan. 2012) - Hospital pharmacists across B.C. are protesting a surprise unilateral announcement rolling back their wages and aggravating a critical recruitment and retention crisis.
Health Sciences Association of B.C. (HSABC/NUPGE) Executive Director Jeanne Meyers said the union has taken immediate action to try to stop the planned wage rollback.
“We’ve filed a policy grievance calling on the Health Employers’ Association of British Columbia (HEABC) to cease and desist,” she said. “We believe HEABC’s action contravenes the collective agreement. There’s absolutely no question HEABC’s notice to cut pharmacists’ wages by nine to 14 per cent is short-sighted and ill-considered.”
Last Friday, a group of representative HSABC/NUPGE pharmacists met to mount a strategy to oppose the rollback.
“The group underlined the serious patient concerns that all B.C. hospital pharmacists share. Together, we’ve come up with several key actions pharmacists, other health care workers, patients, and indeed all British Columbians can take to avoid a crisis in our hospitals,” she said.
Letter writing campaign website: pharmacistsmatter.ca
HSABC/NUPGE has launched a website to help people send a message to the premier and the minister of health.
“The government must recognize that by suddenly imposing a unilateral wage rollback on hospital pharmacists, the province’s health care system is jeopardized,” Meyers said.
“In addition to the pain and suffering of patients and families that a serious medication incident can cause, one or two serious incidents as a result of pharmacist short-staffing are likely to cost the health system more money than what HEABC will save with their wage rollback.”
The website helps you send a letter with just a couple of clicks. Please go to the website, and share the information with your friends and supporters.
Hundreds participate in successful telephone town hall
On Jan. 18, the HSABC/NUPGE held a telephone town hall to provide more information and answer members questions. Hundreds of pharmacists from across the country participated to voice concerns, provide analysis and strategize about future actions.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE