[LabComm] Unnecessary layoffs at Sidney Intermediate Care Home

[Miotto, Anita]

Friday, September 26, 2003

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Unnecessary layoffs at Sidney Intermediate Care Home

 

Negotiations to sign a local agreement between members of the B.C.
Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the Sidney
Intermediate Care Home have ended with the employer failing to respond
to the union's latest offer.

 

The BCGEU initiated negotiations with the home in an effort to avoid the
layoff of over 30 long term care aides.

 

"We are very disappointed with the Sidney Intermediate Care Home's lack
of response," said Lori Strom, the BCGEU negotiator. "We entered into
these talks in good faith and proposed a reduction in wages and benefits
and still the employer chose not to negotiate a fair agreement. He is
planning to contract out the jobs."

 

"Many residents with dementia are often in a state of fear and
desperately need those familiar faces to give them a sense of security,"
said Jaci White, chair of the BCGEU's community health workers Local
401. "The continuity of quality care for seniors in Sidney is threatened
by these layoffs."

 

"Residents at the home are devastated over the layoffs," said Strom. "We
can only hope the employer recognizes how valuable these workers are and
comes back to the table with a new offer. Other health facilities have
voluntarily signed local agreements."

 

"This employer is putting profits before patient care," said White.

 

"People living in the Sidney area who are considering having their
parents placed at the Sidney Intermediate Care Home might want to
reconsider their plans, given the disruption in service that will likely
take place," said Strom. 

 

Staff from the home will be meeting to map out a campaign to put
pressure on Sidney Intermediate Care to back down from their layoffs.

 

-30-

Contact:    Lori Strom (250) 246-8771

 

opeiu 378

 

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