Advertisement

VON closure leaves unionized workers 'shocked'

VON closure leaves unionized workers 'shocked'

Unions in Newfoundland and Labrador say their members had zero notice of a shutdown by the Victorian Order of Nurses in the province, leaving them to face an uncertain future.

"They're totally shocked. They just did not see this coming," said Jerry Earle, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public Employees (NAPE), whose members were among the 33 people who worked for VON in Corner Brook, Gander and St. John's.

The non-profit organization announced on Wednesday it was ceasing to operate in six provinces, citing financial strain.

"A worker received a voice mail message, basically telling them not to report to work," said Earle.

"To answer your phone and find out that your job no longer exists, for a service that you see to be valuable to the residents that you serve — very alarming that somebody would be told in that fashion, and certainly not acceptable."

The province's Registered Nurses' Union said its 10 members who work for VON were similarly caught off guard.

"We will be working closely with impacted RNs to ensure the necessary transitions, supports and plans are in place to help them navigate this difficult situation," said president Debbie Forward, in a release.

'Timing couldn't be worse'

Earle said a union officer is trying to determine what, if any, severance is available to the laid-off workers.

"The timing couldn't be worse than it is right now, four weeks before Christmas," said Earle.

NAPE workers in Corner Brook drove seniors and people with disabilities to take part in VON's Adult Day Program, while union members in St. John's ran the city's Meals on Wheels program.

The future of those programs, along with several other community and home care services, is unclear, and Earle said that's a big concern for the former VON employees.

"What's going to happen to the people that they provided these services to, and can the service be replaced, and will it be replaced?" said Earle.

The nurses union echoed those worries.

"These RNs are very concerned about the clients and patients they worked with," said Forward, adding her union will be talking to VON to try and bridge the gap.