Sudbury hospital workers aren't 'fat cats,' union says
Union picketing at Health Sciences North to highlight changes in how contracts are negotiated
CBC News
Posted: Dec 7, 2012 8:46 AM ET
Last Updated: Dec 7, 2012 8:42 AM ET
Another public sector union is accusing the Ontario government of taking away its democratic bargaining rights.
Sudbury hospital workers will be picketing Friday afternoon to protest proposed changes to how their union contract is negotiated.
Hospital employees are not able to strike, so contract disputes are settled by an arbitrator, but the provincial government is looking at changing that system, including giving ministers the power to overrule the arbitrator and impose a contract.
The president of the union representing 1,100 support staff at the Sudbury hospital said part of Friday's information picket will be trying to break the so-called "fat cat" image many have of civil servants.
"And we know that's a problem. With the teachers, everybody looks at the teachers as being well paid,” David Shelefontiuk said.
“The average person in my bargaining unit makes $40,000 a year, or less ... if you're part-time you're barely getting enough hours to survive on."
The information picket will be out front of Health Sciences North on Paris Street from 11a.m. to 1 p.m.
Share Tools
Latest Sudbury News Headlines
- Councillor's ward cited as unhealthiest in Sudbury
- A Sudbury city councillor said Friday he was stunned to learn his ward is one of the most unhealthy areas in Greater Sudbury. more »
- Possibility of cancelling Algo's rooftop parking raised at inquiry
- Testimony at the public inquiry into the fatal collapse of the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake has raised questions about whether the owner of the mall was concerned enough about the structure to cancel rooftop parking. more »
- Agnico-Eagle worker found alive after blizzard
- A worker missing from Agnico-Eagle's Meliadine camp near Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, was found alive late Thursday night, after weathering a potentially record-breaking blizzard. more »
- LCBO strike threat off after deal reached
- The prospect of a Victoria Day weekend liquor store strike in Ontario has been taken off the shelf after a deal was reached late Thursday night between the LCBO and its unionized workers. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Harper chief of staff resigns amid Senate expense scandal
- Nigel Wright has resigned as Prime Minister Stephen Harper's chief of staff, following revelations he wrote a $90,000 cheque to repay living expenses claimed by Senator Mike Duffy. more »
- Remains found on murder suspect Millard's Ontario farm
- Police searching the farm that belonged to Dellen Millard, the 27-year-old suspect charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ancaster, Ont., man Tim Bosma, have found more remains on the property. more »
- Jeep driver apologizes after stunt kills Edmonton woman
- A man claiming to be the driver of a Jeep that struck and killed a spectator at a charity event in Edmonton says he is sorry for what happened. more »
- Senior Pakistani politician Zahra Shahid shot dead
- Voting in Karachi goes ahead a day after gunmen killed a senior member of Imran Khan's Movement for Justice (PTI) party outside her home in Karachi. more »

