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Canadian Blood Services wants a casual, part-time workforce

Letter to OPSEU's CBS members highlights underlying concerns in bargaining for Canada's blood system.

Toronto (06 Jan. 2015) — The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) is letting its members who work for the Canadian Blood Services (CBS), and the public, know what is really at stake during this round of collective agreement negotiations. In his letter, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas makes the case very clear: CBS wants to create a casual, part-time workforce to administer one of the most important systems in our country. 

Part-time casual workers are paid less than regular workers and have no regularly scheduled hours of work

It has been made clear to OPSEU/NUPGE that CBS plans to lay off 111 full-time workers and replace them with part-time casual positions. As in most cases, part-time casual workers are paid less than full-time workers, have no guarantee of hours, and are generally expected to be on call at all times. It is a reality for part-time workers that they often take on multiple jobs in order to be financially secure. 

In addition, the union believes that newly hired employees will not be required to have specific educational training because the CBS will conduct its own internal training. Currently, full-time staff are experienced health professionals. 

Lack of proper training a concern

By its own reporting to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), CBS has allotted zero funds to staff education. Furthermore, an independent audit in 2013 by Ernst and Young found that CBS had no comprehensive plan to facilitate support, training, information training and communications to staff members. 

If this is all about expediency and cost-effectiveness, then Mike McCarthy, a tainted blood survivor, has this to say, “ Once you start watering it down to look at the lowest common denominator, whoever can put the needle into somebody or a donor questionnaire in a computer is certainly in my mind taking the safety is paramount down to safety is in the way of expediency and cost-effectiveness.”

McCarthy continues to say, “I don’t think you can have both. You are getting cost-effectiveness by having the health professional there; you are providing a sentinel at the front door of integrity that screens the donor as they come in the door.”

Strike date set for January 8

OPSEU/NUPGE members who work at CBS have been trying to negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement that puts the public's safety and the security of Canada's blood sytem first. A strike deadline has been set for January 8 in the event a settlement cannot be reached. 

As Thomas wrote, "You as a CBS worker have taken a brave step to say “no” to a contract that would ultimately compromise the safety and security of Canada’s blood system. On behalf of OPSEU's 130,000 members, I thank you, and know we will be standing with you."

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