Health care cuts at Victoria General Hospital will put Manitobans at risk. That’s why the MGEU and the Manitoba Nurses Union are teaming up to host a rally there (2340 Pembina Hwy) on May 18.
They’re asking all concerned Manitobans to join them from noon to 12:30pm and help send a message to the government and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) that Manitobans want to protect their health care services.
Last month the Pallister government and the WRHA revealed plans to overhaul and cut health care in Winnipeg. Three emergency rooms, including the one at Victoria General Hospital, are being closed as part of the government’s plan to change Manitoba’s health care system.
When these changes were announced, the Premier said it wasn’t to save money. Since then, the WRHA has admitted that these are cost-cutting moves. It says it expects to save over $30 million this year by overhauling the services at Winnipeg hospitals and over $25 million from what it calls “staffing efficiencies.”
There are over 400 MGEU members – ranging from health care assistants and housekeeping attendants to medical records clerks, and trades people – who work in the hospital. They’re joining with nurses of the MNU to stand up against health care cuts and remind the government it’s time to put patients first.
“If you take away important services like an ER, you’re taking away the community’s sense of security knowing help is just around the corner,” says MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “The premier is going against his election promise to protect services and the people of South Winnipeg are going to be the ones who will feel it.”
- What: Rally
for Victoria ER
- When: Thursday,
May 18, 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
- Where: Victoria
General Hospital, 2340 Pembina Highway
For more information about the rally, contact jodee.mason@mgeu.ca or sturenne@manitobanurses.ca.
Authorized by MGEU and MNU.