Strike deadline looms at Sault’s Group Health Centre
![Sault Group Health Centre A day before a strike was to begin, Group Health Centre and CUPE Local 894 in Sault Ste. Marie reached a tentative contract Thursday. (File)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/7/22/sault-group-health-centre-1-6973330-1721943723337.jpg)
Members of CUPE Local 894 who work at the Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie have voted in favour of a strike to back their contract demands and are scheduled to hit the picket lines July 26.
The sides will meet July 25 with a mediator in hopes of averting job action.
“We had hoped to reach an equitable agreement at the bargaining table with our employer, but unfortunately we’ve been offered subpar wages that we just can’t accept,” Tracy Fabbricino, president of CUPE Local 894, said in a news release Monday.
“Members of Local 894 are over worked, stressed, and burned out. Our workloads have increased but our pay hasn’t. Something has to change, and it has to change now.”
CUPE Local 894 represents more than 220 health care workers and clerical support teams at GHC, including registered practical nurses, social workers and physiotherapists.
It’s governed by a board of directors and a leadership team comprised of doctors who work at the centre and other professionals in the Sault Ste. Marie area, CUPE said.
GHC made news earlier this year when it de-rostered more than 13,500 patients, and the centre said more patients are at risk of losing their family doctor this year on top of the 10,000 patient loss that occurred in May.
“These front-line workers desperately need an equitable wage increase that reflects the cost of living and high inflation rates to battle the recruitment and retention issues the Group Health Centre continues to face,” CUPE said in the release.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
In their news release, GHC said if a strike occurs, a plan is in place “to continue providing health care services, minimizing disruptions in care as best as we can.”
“We are disappointed to be in this situation, and frustrated for our patients whose access to primary care may once again be impacted,” the GHC release said.
“Appreciating the crucial role of our team and the current economic conditions, the most recent agreement included a 9.5 per cent wage increase over a three-year period. The wage increases and other compensation improvements are in line with the sector across the province and represent a substantial increased investment by GHC of approximately $1.5 million over three years.”
Tentative agreements rejected
In recent years, GHC said it has negotiated contracts with CUPE, including a 3.75 per cent increase in 2023, “as well as a financial signing bonus for members.”
“In the years prior, negotiated and agreed-upon wage increases were reflective of the environment at that time and aligned with the healthcare sector,” the health centre said.
Two tentative agreements were already negotiated in February and June of this year, but “neither of these agreements were accepted by the members.”
“We remain committed to reaching a resolution at the negotiation table so that we can continue to focus on our priority to deliver care to our community.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.4798178.1580915917!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Pakistani citizen arrested in Canada, charged with plotting terrorist attack in New York
A Pakistani citizen who resided in Canada has been charged with plotting a terrorist attack at a Jewish centre in New York City.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick dies after collapsing outside Winnipeg courthouse
The Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has died after collapsing outside of the Manitoba courthouse Friday afternoon, according to multiple sources.
Woman who was denied a liver transplant, after review highlighted alcohol use, has died
Questions are being raised about the case of a 36-year-old Ontario woman who died of liver failure after she was rejected for a life-saving liver transplant after a medical review highlighted her prior alcohol use.
Teen girl charged with attempted murder after student set on fire at Saskatoon high school
A 14-year-old girl faces an attempted murder charge after a 15-year-old girl was doused in a flammable substance and set on fire at a Saskatoon high school Thursday.
Montreal man given $664 fine for tying dog to parking meter while grabbing a croissant
A Montreal man who tied his dog to a parking meter while he entered a bakery is now facing a hefty fine for breaking a law he had no idea existed.
Molson Coors ends diversity, equity and inclusion policies, moves to 'broader view'
Brewing company Molson Coors says it is dropping its diversity, equity and inclusion policies and taking a 'broader view' in which all employees know they are welcome.
Selena Gomez is a billionaire
Selena Gomez can now add becoming a billionaire to her long list of achievements.
An American woman accused of killing 2 of her children fights extradition in a London court
An American woman accused of killing her two youngest children in Colorado last December told her 11-year-old daughter who survived the attack that God made her do it, a prosecutor said in a London court.
Canadian tied to alleged Russian influencer op received thousands in fees: U.S.
YouTube says the channels of a far-right Canadian influencer have been removed after U.S. officials alleged the company she co-founded received US$760,000 in fees and commissions as part of an alleged Russian ploy to dupe right-wing influencers into sowing division among Americans.