MEDIA ADVISORY: Hospital workers to rally in Oshawa on Wednesday in response to “cuts and chaos” at Lakeridge Health

Event Information

Begins: 20 March 2024
Location: Oshawa, ON

The union representing workers at Lakeridge Health blames Ford government’s health care underfunding for mounting hospital deficits

OSHAWA, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– Distraught staff at Lakeridge Health are holding a rally on Wednesday in response to “cuts and chaos” as hospital management eliminates housekeeper and clerical positions, forcing workers to do more with less. According to CUPE 6364, the union representing staff at Lakeridge, the hospital is also constantly reassigning workers to jobs they haven’t signed up for, which is destabilizing for staff and disruptive to patient care.

Pam Parks, registered practical nurse and president of CUPE 6364, says ongoing government underfunding is deeply concerning as hospital deficits balloon. But she said Lakeridge Health’s response is nothing less than shameful, as workers were extremely upset due to poor management.

Hospital workers will hold a large demonstration at Alexandra Park at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday to protest the elimination of jobs amidst a staffing crisis that has taken a severe toll on staff. Earlier this year, a CUPE survey showed that about half the hospital workers in the GTA faced high stressed levels and 37 per cent were considering quitting their jobs.

Michael Hurley, president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE), said the Ford government needs to invest in hospitals to bolster staffing levels. Instead, he said, the government’s failure to fund labour costs in the aftermath of post-Bill 124 settlements was causing hospitals to run deficits.

WHO:
CUPE 6364 workers led by Pam Parks, RPN and president of CUPE 6364;
Michael Hurley, president of OCHU/CUPE; and Sharon Richer, secretary-treasurer of OCHU/CUPE.

WHAT:
Rally by CUPE 6364 hospital workers protesting cuts at Lakeridge Health

WHEN:
11:30 a.m. on March 20, 2024

WHERE:
Alexandra Park, 65 Buckingham Ave., Oshawa (across from Lakeridge Health).

-30-

For more information contact:

Zaid Noorsumar, CUPE Communications
647-995-9859
znoorsumar@cupe.ca