“Were the lowest paid in Manitoba and were behind every other province, yet the skills required for our work at HSC is greater than at other Winnipeg hospitals”, says X-Ray Technologist Al Saydak of CUPE Local 1550. “People are leaving the field or going to other provinces because theres a shortage of experienced Technologists”.
The 65 CUPE members have been without a contract for 14 months. Negotiations are stalled over wages and pay for Technologists on call. The X-Ray Technologists want the same wage increases as nurses - 5%, 3% and 3%. The Health Sciences Centre refuses to offer more than 3%, 2% and 2%.
Saydak says the HSC is finding it difficult to fill vacancies and patient waiting lists will worsen as one in five Technologists soon becomes eligible to retire.
“The X-Ray Technologists wages used to be on par with nurses but have fallen way behind”, says Saydak. “A Technologist could move two hours away to Kenora and make $3 to $4 an hour more. Ontario pays X-Ray Technologists the same as nurses”.
WHO:
CUPE X-RAY TECHNOLOGISTS
WHAT:
INFORMATION PICKET AT HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
WHEN:
TOMORROW - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28TH FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
WHERE:
HSC ENTRANCES AT 700 WILLIAM AND 820 SHERBROOK
For more information please contact:
Al Saydak, Vice-President CUPE Local 1550
Work: (204) 787-3241
Nicole Campbell, CUPE National Representative
Office: 942-0343
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