Niagara Health Announces Job Cuts, Union Calls It a ‘Sneak Attack’

Niagara Health plans to eliminate nearly 100 jobs in a move described by union representatives as a “sneak attack.” The announcement, made on November 27, will see the hospital system cut 98 positions as part of an effort to reduce annual spending by approximately $9 million. The decision comes in response to a budget deficit that reached $26 million at the end of the last fiscal year, which concluded in March.

Union members rallied outside Greater Niagara General Hospital in Niagara Falls on Thursday to protest the layoffs. Jackie Walker, the executive vice-president of SEIU Healthcare, expressed her frustration, stating, “When I heard about the sneak attack, I was pretty ticked off.” Demonstrations were also organized at each of Niagara Health’s five sites, including St. Catharines, Welland, Port Colborne, and Fort Erie.

The affected staff will primarily be redeployed to fill existing vacancies within the system, but the union argues that the cuts have serious implications for patient care and worker morale. “How can they do layoffs on the backs of workers when there are other places they can find money?” Walker questioned, highlighting the significant salaries of top executives, like $535,000 for Niagara Health’s president and chief executive officer, Lynn Guerriero.

Walker emphasized the disparity between high executive salaries and those of frontline workers, stating, “It’s the workers that provide the quality care that keep the doors open and keep people safe.” The union is raising concerns that these cuts could be a precursor to more layoffs across Ontario’s healthcare facilities, as the province mandates hospitals to develop plans to balance their budgets within three years.

The rally saw participation from SEIU members from other regions, including Cambridge and Brantford, who joined in solidarity against potential cuts. Walker urged Niagara Health to engage in constructive conversations with the union, saying, “These are real people’s lives that are hanging in the balance, and we want to make sure they have security.”

Provincial representatives weighed in on the issue, with Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates attributing the job cuts to chronic underfunding by the provincial government. “When you end up having to cut 100 people from our healthcare system when we’re in a crisis, it makes no sense,” he remarked.

Sue Hotte from the Niagara Health Coalition echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the funding increases provided by the government are insufficient to meet the system’s needs, thereby contributing to the ongoing deficit.

Rafal Pierini, a representative for SEIU Healthcare, stated that the cuts would impact patient care, despite assurances from Niagara Health that operations would remain unaffected. He noted that the union has yet to determine which roles will be eliminated, creating uncertainty among workers. “They’re doing it backwards,” he said, expressing concern about the fear these layoffs instill in employees.

Niagara Health responded to the union’s claims, particularly regarding emergency department wait times. The organization stated that the assertion of a 45-hour wait time at the Welland emergency department is “simply not true,” and emphasized that triage protocols prioritize urgent medical needs.

In a statement, Niagara Health clarified that no unionized workers have been laid off before the holidays and that, at present, nine individuals face potential layoffs. The majority of these roles are administrative, involving communications, information technology, and facilities management.

Niagara Health noted, “We are actively working with our union partners to support staff and minimize impacts as we work through these changes.” The organization has taken various steps to control costs, including cutting discretionary spending and reviewing contracts, in an effort to address the financial challenges facing hospitals across Ontario.

As the situation unfolds, the SEIU Healthcare and Niagara Health are scheduled to meet in the coming days to address the ongoing concerns and work toward a resolution that protects both employees and patient care.