HSC Security Strike Set to Begin December 15

Nov 30, 2015

HSC Security (Local 249) members met tonight to prepare for a mid-December strike. In this round of bargaining, their employer has failed to effectively deal with high staff turn-over in what has become an often dangerous work environment.

Members of HSC Security - Local 249 met this evening to discuss plans to begin strike action in mid-December.

“Local members remain profoundly frustrated by the employer’s unwillingness to provide an offer that addresses extremely high staff turn-over,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky.

Attracted by better compensation and safer workplaces, many officers are leaving to work in other fields. In the last five years alone, about half of the security team of 80 has left.

After holding a successful information picket in September and delivering a strong strike mandate in October, members were hopeful that the Province, the WRHA and HSC management would provide an offer that would help recruit and keep more qualified officers at HSC.

“Talks were to resume Thursday, November 12,” Gawronsky said, “but the Bargaining Committee ended up cancelling that meeting because the employer had made it clear their offer hadn’t changed. With nothing to discuss, there was no point in meeting.”

Preparations are currently underway to set up picket lines outside the hospital beginning Tuesday, December 15, 2015. An Essential Services agreement has been negotiated with the employer to maintain core services during the strike.

“These members believe very strongly that this is not just about their own safety in an often dangerous environment at HSC,” Gawronsky said. “Without a trained and experienced security workforce at the hospital, patients and visitors are facing too many risks as well.”