Facing increasing workload, the Medical Laboratory Technicians who work in the Emergency Department at Sick Kids Hospital in downtown Toronto decided to take matters into their own hands.
They voted to join together with the tens of thousands of other Hospital Professionals that make OPSEU/SEFPO one of the strongest health care unions in the province.
“People in Ontario love Sick Kids Hospital, and with good reason – every day, childrens’ lives are saved in those buildings,” said JP Hornick, the President of OPSEU/SEFPO. “But even a beloved institution can treat its workers like they’re disposable.
“I’m so proud they decided to stand together and say: enough!” says Hornick. “And I’m just as proud they decided to share their power with all of us in OPSEU/SEFPO.”
The ER Medical Laboratory Technicians join a number of other Medical Laboratory Professionals at Sick Kids who are already members of OPSEU/SEFPO.
“We all benefit when more workers join together in unions,” said OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell. “Poverty is lowered. Prices and the economy are more stable. And the quality of services improves.
“It’s not always easy to join a union. But our newest members at Sick Kids have just shown us that, at the end of the day, workers working together can overcome any obstacle.”
The chair of the OPSEU/SEFPO Hospital Professional Division (HPD) says the Sick Kids ER Medical Laboratory Technicians will find even more strength in their new union.
“On behalf all 28,000 Hospital Professionals in our union, I’d like to say congratulations, and welcome,” said HPD chair Sara Labelle. “We know how challenging your work is right now, because we’re all facing exactly the same challenges.
“By speaking together – in the workplace, in the community, and at Queen’s Park – we’re fighting for better work, better working conditions, and better public health care for all Ontarians.”