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Rally and information picket at IWK Health Centre in Halifax to highlight cuts to youth worker positions.
Halifax (20 March 2012) - The Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) has launched an ad campaign to raise awareness about the care faced by patients and families at IWK and the issues faced by youth workers.
IWK has recently announced it will be cutting 22 youth workers at the Health Centre. The union is concerned about the IWK’s assertion that community-based treatment will provide better care than the hospital-based programs currently available. Front-line mental health workers at the IWK have years of direct experience in this field. The union is concerned that communities are not ready to provide the care that IWK managers envision but also believe recent cuts at the IWK will compromise the safety of both patients and staff.
NSGEU/NUPGE foresees serious problems resulting for children and youth with significant behavioural and mental health needs. There is a strong belief that more residential as well as day treatment and community mental health services should be provided.
In addition to the ad campaign, a rally and info picket is being held at noon on Wed., March, 21 outside the IWK Health Centre, 5850 University Ave. in Halifax. Parents and supporters will join concerned workers to raise awareness to the situation and pressure management to reconsider the decision.
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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