A day of action will take place in the BC Interior as the Hospital Employees’ Union bring attention to in-house hospital laundry services.
The event, Leap for Local Laundry, will take place on February 29th in several communities including Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Nelson, and 100 Mile House. In the coming weeks, after more than a year of delays, the Interior Health Authority (IHA) is expected to announce its decision on privatizing hospital laundry services in 11 communities throughout the region.
The contracted out services would see the in-house laundry transferred to the Lower Mainland or Alberta, where private contractors will take over the work. The HEU says 175 jobs will be lost in the communities as a result.
“There has been tremendous support and a huge public outcry," said HEU secretary-business manager Jennifer Whiteside. "We're hoping the IHA makes the right decision and shows a commitment to protect a quality public health service and decent jobs in these communities."
Demonstrations will take place at the following times:
Nelson: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (in front of the courthouse; Vernon and Ward streets)
Kamloops: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Columbia St. in front of courthouse/Ponderosa Lodge)
Kelowna: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (corner of Royal and Pandosy)
Penticton: 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.(green space between Penticton Library/High School)
Vernon: 7:00 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. (in front of Vernon Jubilee Hospital)
100 Mile House: 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. (corner of 1st Street and Highway 97)
