CUPE, which represents 19,000 health care support workers in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Shared Health, applauds the NDP government’s efforts to address the staffing crises, calling it a “huge relief” for front-line workers
“The government’s recent announcement that they have exceeded their hiring goals for health care will have a huge impact for patient care and the experience of front-line staff,” said Margaret Schroeder, President of CUPE 204.
“The impacts of staff cuts and restructuring under the previous government are still being felt to this day, so it is a huge relief to have a government actually put in the work to bring health workers back into the system”.
While the staffing crisis in health care remains ongoing and many facilities continue to work short-staffed, CUPE is hopeful that the government’s efforts to address the crisis will result in a real impact on the front-line.
CUPE also acknowledges the new safety measures that are being implemented across the system, including expanding Institutional Safety Officers and placing metal detectors at Health Sciences Centre to identify and prevent weapons from entering the hospital.
“While we wish safety measures weren’t necessary in the health care system, the reality is health care workers need to be safe at work so they can continue helping Manitobans in need,” said Schroeder. “The government’s new Institutional Safety Officer program will help keep patients and staff safe in hospitals, while directing community members experiencing crisis to appropriate resources”.
CUPE 204 will continue to advocate for improved safety measures, work to monitor and improve the ISO program, and will support the onboarding of new health care staff.