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"A major issue for our rural diagnostic health care professionals is recruitment and retention, and being understaffed because jobs are not being filled. These professionals are having to work too much overtime and then have to be on call — it’s exhausting and isn’t sustainable.” — Michelle Gawronsky, President MGEU
Winnipeg (9 Aug 2016) — Starting today for the next 2 weeks, workers at Diagnostic Services of Manitoba (DSM) — members of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE) Locals 388–390, 392 and 393 — will take a strike vote at meetings across the province.
Employer's final offer didn't address workload and staffing issues
“These Locals rejected a final offer from the employer in May after over two years at the bargaining table, because it didn’t adequately address ongoing concerns over recruitment and retention and excessive workloads,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky, who feels the issues still on the table are of great concern to all rural Manitobans.
“A major issue for our rural diagnostic health care professionals is recruitment and retention, and being understaffed because jobs are not being filled. These professionals are having to work too much overtime and then have to be on call — it’s exhausting and isn’t sustainable.”
Looking for a strong mandate from members
With calls for a return to the table going unanswered, the Locals’ Bargaining Committee is holding the vote with the aim to receive a strong strike mandate.
“No one wants to go on strike, but these are significant issues we’re trying to address — it’s becoming tougher and tougher to attract health care professionals to rural areas and that affects everyone,” Gawronsky said. “The government and the RHAs [Regional Health Authority] need to recognize and deal with this. Small town or big city, no matter what kind of health care services you need, where you live should not prevent you from accessing these services when you need them most.”
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 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