Stanton hospital maintenance workers could be privatized
Some employees at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife might be losing their jobs.
Eight facility maintenance workers, who are currently employed by the territorial government, received news of potential layoffs earlier this month.
Todd Parsons, president of the Union of Northern Workers, says he was told to let the eight affected workers know layoffs might be coming, because their jobs are going to be privatized.
“We haven't had any kind of consultation whatsoever,” he says. “I received an informal phone call from labour relations indicating to me that they were moving forward with the contracting out of those [services].”
Stanton has already privatized food services and housekeeping.
“Where does it stop?” Parsons asks.
Parsons says the government wouldn't confirm exactly when or if the layoffs will happen, but he says he was told in the phone call it could be as early as June.
Parsons says the union plans to hold a rally sometime next week.
The potential layoffs were discussed on Tuesday night, when Stanton Territorial Hospital held its annual general meeting.
The territorial government was contacted, but did not provide an interview.
