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The Montreal Chinese Hospital is experiencing an acute crisis. Its employees, in all categories, are calling for the resignation of Anthony Shao, CEO since 2001. For once, the non-unionized employees and managerial staff joined the initiative of CUPE, AIM-FIQ and APTS members. At the source of the matter is a long series of incidents that demonstrate incompetent management, an autocratic leadership style, a culture of secrecy and an inability to settle labour relation problems. Today, from 11:00–11:45 a.m. and from 12:30-1:15 p.m., employees will hold a demonstration, outside the institution at 189 Viger Avenue East, to express their discontent.  

In mid-January, a controversial appointment was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It was then that a petition, demanding the resignation of Mr. Shao, obtained the signatures of 123 employees, from all groups, in just a few days. On February 18, five representatives of the employees and management sent a letter to Montreal’s health and social services agency, requesting a meeting and an intervention.

This letter stated that, “Many complaints have been made concerning the inappropriate behaviour of Mr. Shao in dealing with employees and bad decisions regarding our residents.The quality of care is certainly affected.” It also confirms that the employees had called on the Board of Directors to resolve the impasse. The Board decided to appoint an investigator to shed some light on the allegations. However, given the investigative process’ lack of transparency, the employees refused to participate in it or approve it.  

“Anthony Shao should not remain on the job for a single day more; the employees are unanimous in this regard. For example, in the fall of 2008 and in the spring of 2009 we had the ‘saga of the taps’. Mr. Shao, in spite of all opposition, got it in his head to replace all the taps in the institution. The result – the new style taps were completely dysfunctional and it was necessary to change all of them again,” said Linda Lee, president of CUPE 4490.

“Mr. Shao’s resignation has become inescapable, given how irrational his management of technical and professional resources, among others, is. He has turned everybody against him. Everyone – management employees, administrative employees, and the unionized staff – demands he go. It is time to restore common sense to the management of this institution that is so important to Montreal’s Chinese community,” said Marc Pelletier, union representative of APTS at the Montreal Chinese Hospital. 

In December 2004, under the guidance of this same CEO, a scandal broke over the serious misuse of cameras and microphones.

The Montreal Chinese Hospital provides medical care and offers housing services to all adults and the elderly, particularly those from China or Southeast Asia, who suffer from a permanent disability or who have lost their functional independence. There are approximately 210 employees. Among them are members of CUPE (attendants, maintenance workers, cooks, food workers, administrative officers, etc.), members of AIM-FIQ (nurses and nursing assistants) and members of APTS (recreation specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and dietary technicians).