Shared Health is warning that home care could be affected if health-care support workers go on strike next week.
More than 25,000 health support workers represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 204 and the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union could walk off the job on Oct. 8.
The workers include health-care aides, laundry workers, dietary aides, ward clerks, recreation co-ordinators and other support staff. A strike would affect patients and clients living in the Winnipeg, Interlake-Eastern, Prairie Mountain and Southern Health regions.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES
A strike would affect patients and clients living in the Winnipeg, Interlake-Eastern, Prairie Mountain and Southern Health regions.
Essential-services agreements are in place to continue health services, including priority home care, in the event of a strike. However, clients should expect some delays, changes and possibly cancellations, Shared Health said in a news release Tuesday.
“Service priority will be focused on ensuring clients continue to receive essential services, while some lower-priority tasks are offered less frequently or postponed. Clients whose home visits will be postponed or cancelled can expect to be contacted by phone and notified of the change,” the release said.
Staff members began notifying potentially affected clients last week that their home-care plans are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis, Shared Health said.
“While essential services will continue to be provided, some clients may benefit from additional support. Families and caregivers are asked to plan accordingly during this time as a part of their backup plan to bridge any gaps in services,” the release said.
Some clinic appointments might also be disrupted next week if the planned job action proceeds, Shared Health said. Affected patients who have a clinical or outpatient appointment will be contacted directly.
The MGEU has said the starting wage for health-care support workers in this province is $17.07 per hour — the lowest in the country.
“Health-system employers remain committed to bargaining in good faith with both unions in the hopes of reaching an agreement and avoiding a strike,” Shared Health said.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca