Published by Belleville Intelligencer
April 20, 2010
Written by Bruce McVicar
URL:
http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2541081
Darlene Hunter, a support service clerk at Belleville General Hospital, displays her sign during a small rally outside the hospital. Members of Service Employees International Union Canada Local 1 have been without a contract since October.
Charges of failure to recognize employee seniority and "runaway hospital CEO pay" prompted a small rally outside Belleville's hospital by members of the Service Employees International Union.
A handful of union members gathered at the Quinte Health Care site Monday during the noon hour, insisting it is time for a new contract. The 281 members of the union's Local 1 have been without a contract since October 2009.
Marty Parker, hospital sector lead for SEIU Local 1, said members were expressing their discontent with the lack of a contract. He said it is time negotiations resume.
"We want to get the Ontario Hospital Association back to the negotiating table," he said. "The issue is, we're finding among the 63 hospitals, that SEIU has employees in that seniority not being recognized."
Pat Chastang, media relations for SEIU, made no mention of the local contract problems when she spoke of the rally.
She said members of the union across Ontario would be rallying at hospitals to show they're upset with salaries being awarded to hospital CEOs.
"We're saying that CEOs across Ontario -- especially in hospitals -- are paid outrageous salaries," she said.
"We know there's a new CEO for Quinte Health Care and we're saying there has been restraint in QHC in the past and we hope that continues."
Parker agreed with Chastang saying there are some hospitals, mainly in the Toronto area, where CEOs received 50 per cent raises over the span of five years. Considering the current economic state, he said, that is not acceptable.
"For a public sector that's being squeezed and the number of hospitals running deficits it's beyond comprehension," Parker said.