TORONTO Hospital workers at Torontos biggest hospital are fighting madover coffee. They say a move to hand over the operation of the hospitals retail outlets including a Second CUP coffee outlet to the private sector, is simply the thin edge of the wedge.
The workers are planning demonstrations Monday (September 11) at both Toronto Hospital locations to fight the so-called P-P-P, or Private-Public Partnership, saying it should be a red flag for the people of Toronto.
The union representing some 1,200 full and part-time workers at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital, CUPE Local 5001, says while the public may not think this is a big deal now, its a clear signal that Toronto Hospital is preparing to outsource a whole range of services.
There is a fierce debate raging in this country right now about the privatization and Americanization of our health care system, says Local 5001 President Nancy Tossavainen. She says, if they can privatize these services, then whats to stop them from selling off our housekeeping, laundry, dietary whats next?
Says the CUPE hospital worker, the outsourcing will mean the immediate layoff of eight members, and these people will no doubt be replaced by workers making minimum wage. Hospital workers deserve to make a decent wage, no matter what position they hold.
(ASSIGNMENT/PHOTO EDITORS: The hospital workers will be holding their Coffee, Tea or P-P-P Protests in front of TGH [Bell Wing, 585 University Ave.] at noon. A second demo will take place at Toronto Western, Fell Wing [Dundas & Bathurst] at 12:30 p.m. Both demos take place Monday, September 11.)
For information:
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Rep.
(416) 292-3999 (o)
Nancy Tossavainen, President, CUPE Local 5001
(416) 346-8730 (Cell)
(416) 664-1408 (p)
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