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“Employers quickly learn that OPSEU//NUPGE refuses to settle for second best when it comes to the interests of our members.” — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
Toronto (12 Sept. 2018) — The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) welcomes its newest members of the Hospital Professionals Division — the laboratory and diagnostic imaging employees of Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus, Ontario.
On August 30, these hospital employees voted overwhelmingly in favour of becoming OPSEU/NUPGE members.
Hospital professionals continue to choose OPSEU/NUPGE for representation
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President, noted that OPSEU/NUPGE membership is a powerful way to plan for the future and stand up to the Ford government.
“Joining OPSEU/NUPGE is a smart move. Health Minister Christine Elliot recently made this government’s plans very clear. They are threatening so-called efficiencies and an ominous transformation of the health care system, although our hospitals are already overstretched," said Thomas.
“When you’re part of OPSEU/NUPGE, you have 155,000 members who have your back,” he added. “Employers quickly learn that OPSEU//NUPGE refuses to settle for second best when it comes to the interests of our members.”
Unionizing allows workers to have a say in decisions about their workplace
Sara Labelle, Region 3 Vice-President and Chair of the Hospital Professionals Division, said, “These members can now bargain a collective agreement that puts rules in place. They will no longer simply be at the beck and call of their employer."
“OPSEU/NUPGE is proud to represent more than 25,000 hospital professionals across Ontario. We hope hospital professional staff at sister hospitals in the Wellington Health Care Alliance will also join OPSEU/NUPGE down the road. We look forward to having them experience the benefits of joining our OPSEU/NUPGE family,” said Labelle.
Groves Memorial Community Hospital is part of The Wellington Health Care Alliance, which also includes Louise Marshall Hospital and Palmerston and District Hospital.
Lucy Morton, Region 2 Vice-President, says hospital professionals at Louise Marshall and Palmerston and District hospitals would be a welcome addition to the OPSEU/NUPGE family.
“Join us and take advantage of everything OPSEU has to offer,” Morton said. We’re growing in leaps and bounds, and there is always room in OPSEU/NUPGE’s tent for more members.”