Hospital union upset with Sechelt care home closures

The Hospital Employees' Union is upset over the closure of two publicly-run care homes in the community of Sechelt on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast.

Union representative Jennifer Whiteside says the union was not properly consulted about the closures and only found out when given notice earlier this summer.

The shuttered care homes will be replaced by a new private facility operated by Trellis — which operates many other long-term care facilities in the province.

Whiteside says the plan will require the health authority to fire the entire workforce — about 200 people — who currently work at the two care homes.

"Some of these folks have been providing care for seniors on the Sunshine Coast for many, many years ... and the kind of care that our members provide is some of the most intimate care to seniors."

That's not to say former employees won't be able to work in the new facility — Whiteside admits that the private facility has offered to interview them for jobs at the new company.

But she fears these jobs will be for lower pay and under more stressful conditions.

In addition, she said the switch will cause disruption to the lives of the seniors, adding that for many of them, these caregivers will be the last significant relationship of their life.

Opposition to plan

Health care for seniors is a major issue in the community of approximately 8,500 people, and the union is not alone in voicing its displeasure over the closures.

Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons says he's also worried that consultations were inadequate and has heard from constituents who are worried about the continuity and quality of care for residents.

Later this week, Bruce Milne, the mayor of Sechelt, will be meeting with Health Minister Terry Lake at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention to discuss the closures.

The union is also circulating a petition to stop facility plans from going ahead.

Too expensive to upgrade facilities

Vancouver Coastal Health defended its plan, saying the existing buildings require upgrading and maintenance that would cost upwards of $35 million.

It also pointed out the new centre will add 20 residential care beds on the Sunshine Coast.

As for staffing, the health authority reiterated Trellis's promise to interview interested applicants and confirmed that Trellis will be a unionized employer.

It said it had spoken to media about plans to solicit proposals for new facilities as early as February 2015. 

The new care home is expected to open in 2018.

With files from The Early Edition

To hear the full interview, click on the link labelled Hospital union upset with Sechelt care home closures