AFM announces plans to close centres for Christmas season
Yesterday the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) announced it would be shutting its doors during the holiday season as a cost-cutting measure. The AFM plans to close all but three of its 26 locations from midday on Dec. 24 to Jan. 4, in a move to save $50,000.
Only two of AFM's residential programs in Winnipeg will remain open -- at the James Toal Centre (for men) and the River House for Women -- as well as one in Ste. Rose du Lac.
It is the first time that the AFM has taken such a drastic measure during the holiday season – a move that MGEU President Peter Olfert says is not fair to workers or the clients they help.
"It's unfair that staff need to bear the brunt of this economic shortfall, particularly at a time of year when every penny counts for our members. I’m also appalled that people who need addiction services during that period of time won't have the same kind of access to those services as they would at other times throughout the year. Addictions don’t take holidays," he said.
The MGEU represents roughly 280 members at AFM who have been told they'll have to take unpaid time off, vacation days or use banked time for 3.5 days during the closure.
Olfert said he doesn't consider the issue to be a done deal and he plans to put pressure on the Province to reverse the decision.
“We believe that a socially responsible government should not cut funding to addiction services. These services should be available 365 days a year."