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"In an ill-considered bid to make their financial statements look better, Capital Health managers are blundering forward with a plan to contract out one of the provincial health care system’s most important communications departments: CDHA A/V Print Services."
Halifax (09 July 2012) - For years, Capital Health caregivers and patients have depended on the competent, timely work done by employees of the hospital system's Audio Visual (AV) and Print departments. Now, these employees are depending on the public's help to stop their managers from contracting out their work, says the union representing the affected workers, the Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE).
The campaign to save these positions from contracting out heats up tomorrow as a rally is planned at the Summer Street entrance to the Halifax Infirmary from noon until 1 p.m.
The NSGEU/NUPGE launched its fightback campaign in early June when the employer suddenly announced it would be contracting out AV Print Services. The union's campaign has been to bring awareness to the public about the implications of such a decision.
The union has emphasized, "Good communication is core to good health care. In an ill-considered bid to make their financial statements look better, Capital Health managers are blundering forward with a plan to contract out one of the provincial health care system’s most important communications departments: CDHA A/V Print Services."
The union has pointed out that the decision would mean the public would lose:
- 20 dedicated employees who, together, have more 300 years of experience ensuring that all Nova Scotians – not just those living in Halifax - have access to quality health care, and the most timely and accurate information possible;
- a proven efficient and effective service: AV Print services has been successfully responsible for an ever-changing catalogue of more than 5,000 different medical requisitions, prescription forms, and patient guides that are the logistical life-blood of Nova Scotia’s health care system; and
- an effective service that co-ordinates, produces, and troubleshoots hundreds of telehealth consultations and video conferences that give the region's caregivers and patients access to the best health care and health training available.
In addition, the public would end up paying a premium to a third-party contractor, whether it be to meet a corporation’s profit margin or another government department’s revenue targets.
For years, AV Print Services have helped Capital Health employees provide quality health care. The public can help stop the privatization of these services, a contracting-out mistake that will cost everybody.
Anyone concerned about this decision should join the rally tomorrow at the Halifax Infirmary between noon and 1 p.m. You can also write to Health Minister David Wilson (health.minister@gov.ns.ca), Capital Health CEO Chris Power (chris.power@cdha.nshealth.ca) and Capital Health VP Amanda Whitewood (amanda.whitewood@cdha.nshealth.ca) and join the campaign on Facebook to show your support.
More information:
NSGEU Capital Health contracting out alert
NUPGE
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