NORTH BAY The union representing health care and support workers at Cassellholme Nursing Home in North Bay will launch a community based campaign to fight layoffs that will hurt residents at the home.
“Cassellholme management has shown a total disregard for the quality of care and stability of residents,” said CUPE Local 146 president Pam Zygmont after learning of pending layoffs. “We don’t know how they can justify these frontline cuts and we think it’s time local politicians took a look at some pretty questionable decisions made by the Board of directors.” The union has learned at least two Registered Practical Nursing positions will be cut.
“Government figures show funding has in fact increased from $97.28 dollars per day per resident to $101.57 per day per resident in 2003 a 4.4% increase, while the Board points to funding shortfalls as the reason for layoffs,” says CUPE National Representative Jo-Ann Breton. “Let’s not forget that this Board is the one that decided to fire the cook, and bring in processed food from Serca Foods, increasing raw food costs and eliminating a front-line position. Now they want to get rid of two full-time RPN’s, and that’s sure to affect the quality of care.”
CUPE will file a grievance over the layoffs and bring their fight to North Bay Council, including information pickets and community outreach to let families and friends of residents and the entire community know what’s going on at Cassellholme.
“When people start to realize some of the decisions that are being made, they will have a lot of questions for the Board and for politicians who oversee the Board,” says Zygmont.
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For further information, please contact:
Jo-Ann Breton, CUPE National Rep.
705-474-9765
Pam Zygmont, President, Local 146
705-474-4381
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-727-9144
“Cassellholme management has shown a total disregard for the quality of care and stability of residents,” said CUPE Local 146 president Pam Zygmont after learning of pending layoffs. “We don’t know how they can justify these frontline cuts and we think it’s time local politicians took a look at some pretty questionable decisions made by the Board of directors.” The union has learned at least two Registered Practical Nursing positions will be cut.
“Government figures show funding has in fact increased from $97.28 dollars per day per resident to $101.57 per day per resident in 2003 a 4.4% increase, while the Board points to funding shortfalls as the reason for layoffs,” says CUPE National Representative Jo-Ann Breton. “Let’s not forget that this Board is the one that decided to fire the cook, and bring in processed food from Serca Foods, increasing raw food costs and eliminating a front-line position. Now they want to get rid of two full-time RPN’s, and that’s sure to affect the quality of care.”
CUPE will file a grievance over the layoffs and bring their fight to North Bay Council, including information pickets and community outreach to let families and friends of residents and the entire community know what’s going on at Cassellholme.
“When people start to realize some of the decisions that are being made, they will have a lot of questions for the Board and for politicians who oversee the Board,” says Zygmont.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Jo-Ann Breton, CUPE National Rep.
705-474-9765
Pam Zygmont, President, Local 146
705-474-4381
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-727-9144