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(Amherst) The union representing 100 health care workers at Highland View Regional Hospital is hopping mad at the hospital CAO, after he reneged on a commitment that there would be no layoffs.

CUPE Local 2525 Vice-President Linda Moore says the union has now been informed that the part-time position of weekend admitting clerk is being eliminated.

Says Moore, I sat in a room with other union representatives earlier this month and was told by Bruce Quigley that there would be no layoffs of hospital staff in District 5. I took him at his word”.

Even though its only a half-time position, not having an admitting clerk on the weekends at Highland View is clearly going to result in a service reduction for people coming in to the hospital, says Moore.

The hospital administration has decided that the weekend receptionist will do double duty as admitting clerk”, says Moore. Well that person is already doing a full-time job.

Local 2525 President Debbie Wicks says, I was shocked to find out that the board of this hospital is going to balance its budget on an $8,000 a year, part-time position. The union will also be taking the position that the weekend receptionist should have her wages moved up to the higher admitting clerks wage rate. So where are the savings?

Says Wicks, It becomes a question of credibility, and does little to foster healthy labour relations between the two parties.

Opeiu 491

For information:

Linda Moore John McCracken

Vice-President, CUPE Local 2525 CUPE Communications Representative

(902) 667-5223 (h) (902) 455-4180 (o)