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BCGEU says immediate action is required as WCB imposes $75,000 fine on Forensic Psychiatric Hospital

“I want to thank the BCGEU/NUPGE members on the joint occupational health and safety committee at FPH for the important work they have done to make their workplace safer." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President.

Vancouver (15 Dec. 2014) — The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) is renewing its call for immediate action to ensure the safety of workers at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) in Port Coquitlam. This comes following the imposition on December 4 of an administrative penalty of $75,000 by the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) for repeated health and safety violations at the hospital.

Fine for repeated health and safety violations further demonstrates major problems at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital

“Our members have a legislated right to a violence-free workplace; however, they continue to have their lives threatened,” says Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President. “It should not take a $75,000 fine to make this employer do the right thing. They need to work immediately with the joint health and safety committee at FPH, comply with the orders WCB officers have written, and address quickly and fully the repeated violations of health and safety regulations.

“I want to thank the BCGEU/NUPGE members on the joint occupational health and safety committee at FPH for the important work they have done to make their workplace safer,” says Smith. “I also want to thank the WCB officers for their work to bring this employer into compliance with health and safety regulations that would make our members safer.”

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE