TorontoFront line health care workers attending their annual conference in Kitchener are reacting strongly and are very concerned about the recently released Kirby commission report that clearly pushes privatization and move to a two-tier health care system, says Sid Ryan the Ontario president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
Ryan will be a keynote speaker at the annual CUPE Ontario Health Care Workers Conference in Kitchener from Wednesday, September 19 to Friday, September 21, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 105 King Street East (King & Benton). Ryan will address the conference delegates on Wednesday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Its clear from the tone of the report that privatization is being touted as the answer to greater efficiency and a way to expedite services. But, studies from every country where even a portion of services have been privatized, show privatization is neither efficient or cost effective, says Ryan.
CUPE in Ontario represents nearly 60,000 health care workers, who are the front line staff in our hospitals, homes for the aged and home care agencies. Conference delegates will focus on several key issues, including health care reform and workload pressures resulting from hospital downsizing and chronic under funding of home care and long-term by the Ontario Tory government.
If there are indicators that the direction of the federal commissions now assessing health care reform is toward a two-tier system, the Harris Tories will be among the first provincial governments to forge ahead with privatizing more and more services, says Ryan.
–30-
For more information please contact:
Sid Ryan, President CUPE Ontario
(416) 209-0066
Stella YeadonCUPE Communications
(416) 578-8774