"The decisions by Eastern Health will have a significant impact on the levels of patient care. It is impossible to remove so many frontline workers from the full time ranks and have no negative impact on patients." - Carol Furlong, NAPE President.
St. John's (15 Nov. 2011) - Carol Furlong, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE), has reacted with dismay and outrage at the continued expansion of layoffs of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) by Eastern Health. By November 26, 25 LPNs will have been moved from full time hours to on call status in the Carbonear region. The institutions affected are Carbonear Hospital, Harbour Lodge and Interfaith Home.
Ms. Furlong stated, "The decisions by Eastern Health will have a significant impact on the levels of patient care. It is impossible to remove so many frontline workers from the full time ranks and have no negative impact on patients".
Furlong further said, "The treatment of LPNs by Eastern Health is an outrageous display of disrespect towards a group of regulated and licensed professionals. To expect skilled professionals to remain on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no guarantee of work will result in employees leaving their jobs to work elsewhere. In a six-month period this year, the number of licensed practical nurses has declined by 178."
To protest the decisions of Eastern Health, Licensed Practical Nurses will be starting demonstrations this week. The first demonstration will be held at Carbonear Hospital on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Furlong stated, "Our members, the LPNs, have had enough of this treatment and lack of respect from Eastern Health. The government and employers legislated a need for more training and an expanded scope of practice. LPNs complied and now the reward is to be laid off and when called back to be demoted to personal care attendants. This issue is not going away. We will not let it go away until Eastern Health begins to show respect to LPNs."
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
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