Starting Saturday, private company to truck 4 million pounds of laundry to Calgary; 43 jobs lost in Chilliwack and Mission
Health care workers and supporters in the Fraser Valley will mark the last day of operation for the Chilliwack Hospital laundry with a rally in that community later this morning.
On Saturday, the Fraser Health Authority turns over hospital laundry services for four Fraser Valley communities to a U.S.-controlled firm that will truck 4 million pounds of linen to their Calgary plant for processing over the next year.
The 43 job losses in Chilliwack and Mission resulting from the privatization of hospital laundry represent a wage bill of about $1.5 million.
It’s all possible because of contract-breaking legislation passed by the B.C. Liberals earlier this year that shredded legally negotiated collective agreements.
“It’s economic development Gordon Campbell-style,” says Hospital Employees’ Union secretary-business manager Chris Allnutt. “The premier’s health privatization convoy is loaded up with decent, family supporting jobs and headed straight for Alberta. And the Fraser Valley will lose critical health infrastructure in the wash.”
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What: Rally marks last day of Chilliwack Hospital laundry
Where: Chilliwack Hospital at 45600 Menholm Road in Chilliwack
When: Friday, November 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Who: HEU secretary-business manager Chris Allnutt;
Local health care workers