St. Joe’s CUPE Rally

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Hospital workers in Hamilton demonstrated against what they call the contracting out of work and cutting patient services on Monday. The Canadian Union of Public employees claims St. Joseph’s and Hamilton Health Sciences are planning to cut entire departments and contract out services.

The Union says St. Joe’s could maximize its in-house patients transport service by cutting the use of outside van services and taxis to transport patients and staff that cost nearly $300,000 a year. But the Union says instead the hospital has indicated it will contract out the service.

President of St. Joe’s, Dr. David Higgins says the hospital always respects the collective bargaining process. Dr. Higgins also says even if the hospital does move forward with the plan, Union workers will remain employed with St. Joe’s, although they may not be doing the same jobs they currently hold.