Keeping the QEII in Gear during times of Conflict

Dear Bob Howse:

With any well functioning machine, there is always a lot of commitment and hard work that goes
into making it run. The same could be said about an organization.
Recently, the QEII Hospital custodial and cafeteria staff made the decision to go on strike,
because of unfair working conditions. In regards to the article QEII Staff Strike for Fair Wages
featured in the Chronicle Herald yesterday, the QEII Hospital would like to add some insight to
this developing story.
At the QEII, we value our staff and the work they accomplish. Furthermore, over the past 50
years, we have established a reputation for providing the best care for our patients, and the only
way to continue doing that is to make sure all of our staff are being looked after as well.
That is why we are currently working with hospital management and CUPE, which is the union
that represents the custodial and cafeteria staff, so we can fix the current issue and prevent it
from happening in the future. Therefore, we are taking steps to negotiate financially, yet as with
any other healthcare facility, we do have a budget that we have to stick to, to the best of our
abilities.
On that note, if we do not reach an agreement before our workers begin their strike, than we will
bring in third party contractors to ensure that our hospital stays clean, and that necessary food
and nutrition are available for patients, staff, and the public.
This is a preparation measure we hope wont have to be implemented. As stated before, we strive
to offer the best care to our patients, and we also want our employees to feel the same way, so we
can continue to work as a well-functioning machine.
Sincerely,
Cathy Jones
CEO of the QEII hospital
Halifax, NS