The Union of Northern Workers (UNW) is pushing back against the NWT Health and Social Services AuthoritySA国际影视传媒檚 (NTHSSA) plan to leave vacant positions unfilled.
The health authority's public administrator, Dan Florizone, said hiring attrition is part of a strategy to help reduce its current $36 million deficit. He said heSA国际影视传媒檚 been looking at not filling vacancies in administration and in roles that do not provide direct patient care or health services.
Asked if heSA国际影视传媒檚 discussed this with the union, Florizone told SA国际影视传媒 that SA国际影视传媒渢he union continues to be involved in the work of seeking these efficiencies.SA国际影视传媒�
On June 5, UNW President Gayla Thunstrom issued a statement to SA国际影视传媒 blasting FlorizoneSA国际影视传媒檚 plan.
"Reducing positions to balance a budget makes for a treacherous path for workers, especially in healthcare, and will further erode a system that is already desperately struggling to provide services," she wrote.
Thunstrom also said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 heard that nurses, lab technicians, therapists, and other practitioners are losing time that could be spent with patients because theySA国际影视传媒檙e taking on more administrative duties to cover vacancies.
"Cutting these positions rather than filling them will lead to fewer appointments and longer wait times. In fact, administrative positions should be properly filled and even increased [to] relieve pressure on other healthcare professionals," said Thunstrom.
Adrienne Cartwright, communications officer for the UNW, also told SA国际影视传媒 that neither the UNW president nor any member of the UNW executive has been contacted by Florizone about hiring attrition within the NTHSSA.
According to Krystal Pidborochynski, communications director for NTHSSA, Florizone was responding to the question if he has ever met with the union, though that is not what SA国际影视传媒 asked him.
"When he indicated the union has been involved, it was based on his discussions with UNW Local 11 - North Great Slave Region," said Pidborochynski.
The health authority also has no comment in response to Thunstrom's critiques about hiring attrition.
