Hospital union calls on province to cover the deficit of the North Bay
General Hospital

NORTH BAY, ON, Feb. 18 /CNW/ - The Ontario government should fund the $6 million deficit of the North Bay General Hospital, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE requested today. OCHU represents 25,000 nurses, tradespersons, clerical, housekeeping, dietary and support and service staff at 65 Ontario hospitals, including employees represented by CUPE Local 139 at the North Bay General Hospital.

Ontario Council of Hospital Unions President Michael Hurley said "the North Bay General Hospital has a deficit because the population of Nipissing is aging and is using its services more frequently. Ontario has the most efficient hospital system in Canada, with the shortest lengths of stay and the fewest numbers of beds and staff to population of any province. The hospital is not being funded to cover the increased use of its services. The answer is not cuts, which will make the hospital less efficient, but real funding increases and a solution to the deficit problem."

OCHU and CUPE Local 139 will kick off a community postcard* and button campaign today targeted at Hon. Monique Smith, Government House Leader, Minister of Tourism and MPP for Nipissing.

This campaign was approved at a CUPE Local 139 membership meeting held last evening at 7:30 p.m. at the CUPE Local 139 office Regency Square (Airport & O'Brien).

* Attached - http://files.newswire.ca/856/North_Bay_postcard.pdf

For further information: Michael Hurley, President, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions: [phone]