Sault Steelworkers sue to try and stop Group Health Centre patient cuts
The United Steelworkers union representing Algoma Steel employees is taking legal action after its members and retirees learned they are being de-rostered from the Group Health Centre.
Officials with Local 2251 say the union was integral in the formation of the health care organization, with members paying to build the group health’s current site in the 1960s.
At an emergency meeting Tuesday night in the Sault, members voted to sue Group Health Centre to try and stop the removal of its member from the centre’s patient roster.
Timing is critical, as union leaders said they have until the end of the month for the injunction to be effective because that's when de-rostering officially takes place.
Local 2251 president Mike Da Prat said the union sought information through a freedom of information request, only to be told that the centre isn’t subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
“All we got was the same information, question and answers that they have on their website,” Da Prat said.
“It's obvious that a lawsuit needs to happen.”
Group Health officials were not available for comment on the lawsuit, but a spokesperson did offer a statement:
“GHC has submitted several requests to the Ministry of Health regarding our funding. Unfortunately, our expression of interest for expanding and enhancing inter-professional primary care team, which amounted to $3 million, was not selected. Despite this setback, we remain in regular communication with the ministry about the remaining $8 million.”
Da Prat said he wants more action from the municipal government officials.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
In the last 20 years, he said leadership at Group Health Centre has changed its structure to reduce union voices, which previously had as many as five members on the centre’s board.
Da Prat said the end goal of the lawsuit is to revert to a previous structure at the Group Health Centre that would see union members and retirees rostered once again and eligible for the same-day clinic until more physicians are available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Republicans join Trump's attacks on justice system and campaign of vengeance after guilty verdict
Embracing Donald Trump's strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system after his historic guilty verdict, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in the GOP bid to reclaim the White House.
Is carbon pricing a politically feasible climate policy? Research says maybe not
Research suggests the Liberals may be fighting a losing battle, and some experts are urging policymakers to look for alternative policies to lower emissions, warning the threat of climate change is too dire to delay action.
U.K. ambassador to Mexico out after video allegedly shows him pointing a rifle at a colleague
The U.K.’s ambassador to Mexico has left his post after a video was posted on social media that purportedly shows him pointing an assault rifle at an embassy employee.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
The ANC party that freed South Africa from apartheid loses its 30-year majority
The African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority in a historic election result Saturday that puts South Africa on a new political path for the first time since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule 30 years ago.