Stanton heads toward privatization
Most non-clinical services set to be contracted out, UNW files grievance
Evan Kiyoshi French
Northern News Services
Published Friday, November 28 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The GNWT plans to privatize many of the non-clinical services currently provided by union members at Stanton Territorial Hospital, according to a document obtained by Yellowknifer.
This includes general management, the help desk, plant management, utilities management, roads and grounds maintenance, parking management, environmental sustainability, pest control, security and surveillance, and laundry and linen services, according to the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project Request for Proposals (RFP), which was issued Oct. 1 as part of the hospital's move toward a public-private partnership, or P3.
Through the P3 agreement, the GNWT is seeking a private partner to design, build, finance and maintain the hospital.
The Union of Northern workers has filed a grievance - with the CEO of Stanton - protesting the RFP, since that document - written up by the GNWT's Department of Finance - was finalized without formal consultation with the union, according to Todd Parsons, union president. He adds the RFP states the winning bidder will be responsible for providing services currently carried out by union members.
"This will result in layoffs," said Parsons.
Parsons said he was "informally" notified over the phone on Sept. 30 by Steve McCardy, manager of labour relations, that the government would be looking at contracting out facility management services.
"We haven't been provided any formal notification that this is even being considered," said Parsons, sitting in his office on Monday. "We have filed a grievance in accordance with our Government of Northwest Territories collective agreement. We are also exploring other options that may be available to us, but it's a little early to confirm those."
The GNWT's collective agreement with the union states that "the employer agrees to provide information, including rationale, relevant to the work that is being reviewed for the potential of contracting out."
He said the UNW requested a copy of the RFP and the qualifications required for the project, and upon reviewing it found "disturbing" information - the list of services set to be contracted out - that the government is moving forward with layoffs.
Parsons said he attended the Stanton Hospital annual general meeting in October, and at that time, Glen Abernethy, minister of health and social services, didn't deny that contracting-out specific work was being considered. At a budget meeting last week, Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger said the issue of staffing for non-core services has yet to be decided, and would probably not be decided until June.
"We're offended," said Parsons. "Certainly, there's language in our collective agreement around contracting out, that the employer has to provide us with that information ... It's in the RFP, that the new project company would be responsible for contracting-out those services."
Parsons said his members are sounding-off in light of the news. He said housekeeping and waste management as well as catering services were privatized more than ten years ago.
"The membership is quite concerned," he said. "Some of the departments will be contracted out and they are concerned about more privatization of public service work, and that it may impact broader UNW membership at Stanton Hospital."
Miltenberger was at a meeting in Edmonton, and was unable to respond before press time.
Jamie Koe, director of finance, budget, treasury and debt management for the Department of Finance, said in an e-mail the RFP has asked firms to consider, in their submission, to providing some non-clinical services. Koe was unable to indicate exactly which services would be affected before press time.
A preferred proponent is set to be selected by July 2015 and a contract finalized by the end of August, with the anticipated five-year construction period set to begin in September.
There are currently 471 UNW workers employed at Stanton, including clinical staff.
