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'We cannot allow this government to throw away quality jobs, and quality public services.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.
Brockville (24 Aug. 2009) - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) has reaffirmed that it will carry on with its campaign to save mental health jobs in Brockville.
OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas, who met Aug. 18 with members of Local 439 at Brockville Mental Health Centre delivered a clear message from the union: "OPSEU will not back down," he said.
Thomas told a packed house in the Brockville Legion Hall that keeping quality mental health care jobs in the area is the top priority, not only for OPSEU members but also for those who rely on mental health services.
“Our primary goal is to prevent the closure of this facility,” Thomas said. “We cannot allow this government to throw away quality jobs, and quality public services, that are both so desperately needed in this region.”
The Brockville Mental Health Centre has been slated for closure as of March 31, 2011. The loss of 64 transitional treatment beds would wipe out 136 full-time equivalent positions. Beyond this, many more casual and part-time positions would be affected.
Thomas says OPSEU has committed full resources to convince the province that mental health services in Brockville must be preserved.
“Our members provide services to the public that are irreplaceable,” he emphasized. “Moving treatment to Ottawa is a short-sighted decision that hurts mental health care, not improves it.”
Thomas also assured local members that whatever happens the union is focused on protecting members at every stage of the process. “At the end of the day we want to ensure that everyone is protected and suffers the least harm. Your union will always be there for you and will continue to fight as long as it takes.”
Local president David McDougall thanked his members for their ongoing support. “The strength of our members will be the key to our success," he said.
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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