SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Along with protestors rallying against the Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act on Friday, union representatives also voiced fervent opposition to what they call the trend of privatization at Stanton Territorial Health Authority.

Union of Northern Workers President Todd Parsons spoke to union members and supporters at a rally against privatization at Stanton Territorial Health Authority and Bill 12, the Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act. - Elaine Anselmi/NNSL photo

"We're always concerned when quality public services, that are provided by the public, are taken away and contracted out as a result of privatization," said Union of Northern Workers president Todd Parsons. "There is no room for profits and privatization in public services, especially in our healthcare system in Canada."

The UNW was first made aware of the possibility of privatizing Facilities Management Services in late September.

The move was originally lumped with the subsequent termination of eight union jobs, to be replaced by workers within the contracted organization. Since the Sept. 30 announcement, Parsons said there has been talk that the government is backing away from the job terminations.

"It is a win for the union, and the union will have to take credit for that," said Parsons. "We're hearing that rumour but I want to see a letter from the employer confirming that my members don't need to worry about losing their employment."

The issue of privatizing the facilities department was raised at session on Friday, with Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley asking that the long-time employees of the department be given some clarity on their future role.

"Workers have heard that the timing of layoffs may be anywhere from June 2015, to once the project has been completed, to never," Bromley said, referencing Health Minister Glen Abernethy's response to questions on privatization at the Stanton Hospital annual general meeting on Oct. 7.

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger responded that there has been no final decision made about the layoffs as they continue to talk through the private-public partnership (P3) and what will be included in a request for proposals.

"There are some things being considered as part of the P3 process and what services and what requirements will be in the final agreed to RFP," said Miltenberger. "So, when we have that certainly, we will be sharing it with all affected parties, as well as all the MLAs."

Facilities would not be the first department to be contracted out, food services and housekeeping were both previously privatized - a move Parsons said has led to poorer service.

"We're very concerned when what we see historically is, when services provided by hospitals are contracted out like like housekeeping or cafeteria," said Parsons. "There's a different work product when the employer lowers services to make more money, it's about profit. That's concerning, we see services deteriorate, and facilities maintenance costs would increase as a result of that."

Parsons said the community as a whole is affected by privatization and a lower quality of service.

"We've see it here in Yellowknife," said Parsons. "You ask almost anyone who visits the Stanton Territorial Hospital what they think about the cleanliness and the food they serve up there: my case has been made by way of that argument."