[LabComm] HEU News Release: Public concerned about impact of contracting out on B.C. seniors - poll

[update]

labcomm at bcfed.net
News Releases

June 25, 2003

Public concerned about impact of contracting out on B.C. seniors - poll 

71 per cent think contracting out care staff will have negative impact on seniors, 58 per cent oppose privatizing support services, and 65 per cent 
side with health workers in dispute with Victoria 

More than 70 per cent of British Columbians believe that contracting out nursing and personal care in long-term care facilities will have a negative impact on seniors' care, according to polling numbers commissioned by the Hospital Employees' Union (CUPE). 

In recent weeks, at least four taxpayer funded long-term care facilities in the Lower Mainland and in the Capital Region have given layoff notices to care aides and nurses in preparation for contracting out the work to private nursing agencies.

But according to the Mustel Group telephone poll - conducted earlier this month - only 11 per cent of the B.C. public think such actions will have a positive impact on seniors' care.

And opposition to the privatization of hospital support services continues to be significant at 58 per cent, up from 56 per cent in April and 18 points higher than in June, 2002.

Support for privatization of support services like housekeeping, laundry and food services is at 34 per cent, unchanged from April and down 11 points since June, 2002.

"The public remains skeptical of government's privatization policies in health care," says HEU spokesperson Zorica Bosancic. "And it's little wonder, given the tendency of Victoria and its health authorities to hatch their plans behind closed doors, without seeking public input."

The poll also indicates that in the ongoing dispute between health care workers and the provincial government over health privatization, 65 per cent of the public sides with the workers (up from 64 per cent in April) including 38 per cent of B.C. Liberal supporters.

The telephone survey of 503 British Columbians was carried out June 5-12 and is considered accurate to within 4.4 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

To view the contents of the poll attached to this release, go to http://www.heu.org/ and select the top item on the yellow sidebar on the right. The table is formatted at the end of the release. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE:  This email address is NOT monitored for incoming mail except address changes and subscription requests. 

All e-mail, other than address changes, must be sent to heu at heu.org in order to be forwarded to the appropriate departments. 
To unsubscribe from this email list, reply to sender with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. 
If you find you have been unintentionally removed from this list and wish to re-subscribe, send an email to update at heu.org with subscribe in the subject line.  Please include your name and what facility you work at (if you work in a facility) in the body of the message.  
All of the information and addresses in this email list are kept strictly confidential to the Hospital Employees' Union.