Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 05/02) - In the last four years, Craig Lee, a nurse at Stanton Regional Hospital, has seen the health care system deteriorate to the point of crisis.

Lee told Yellowknifer that the new contract offered by the GNWT to the Union of Northern Workers does little to recruit or retain health care professionals in the NWT.

He has worked as an intensive care nurse at Stanton since July 1998. He originally came North to work in Fort Good Hope. His wife, Lori has been a certified nursing assistant since 1998. The couple, originally from Newfoundland, came to the NWT because health care salaries were significantly lower in their home province.

"Now Newfoundland salaries have increased to just $10,000 less than here. If you factor in cost of living in the NWT, we could feasibly go home and make the same money in the end," said Lee.

This summer Lee will see the ICU close at Stanton for the first time in his career due to staffing shortages. He has a position waiting for him in emergency, but ICU has always been his first choice.

Lee and his wife are now considering going home.

"Not because of the closure, but it is just not economically beneficial anymore. People who have left that I know are doing better than when they were here," said Lee.

According to Lee, the only way to increase recruitment and retention is to implement a separate bargaining unit for health care professionals.

The Union of Northern Workers, Lee said, is trying to wear too many hats. Representing 3,200 NWT public service workers can be a tricky game.

Nurses, Lee added, are not the only ones affected by the shortages. All health professions are understaffed and overworked, but many are afraid to voice their concerns. "I want the membership to know that we are not looking to be millionaires," explained Lee. "All we want is enough staff to provide safe, competent care."

The UNW ratification vote will take place from June 10 to 17. For the agreement to be ratified, the union needs a majority of its membership to vote yes, 50 per cent plus one vote.