Hospitals to amalgamate laundry services

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is planning to amalgamate laundry services at two city hospitals – but some hospital workers criticize the plan, saying the $20 million it will cost could be better spent elsewhere.

WRHA officials say the laundry facilities at St. Boniface Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre are beyond repair, so the authority is considering renovating an existing warehouse on Inkster or building a new facility. In either case, laundry services will be moved outside of the two hospitals within the next two years.

"We would never be able to achieve a cost-effective productivity level at either site, because the equipment is too old and there is no automation or technology … and the square footage is something we can't change," says Jan Legeros with logistics services with the WRHA.

However, some of the unionized employees are questioning the decision to move off-site, saying it's a waste of money. They also worry that jobs will be lost.

"Simple upgrading of the two existing facilities at St. B and HSC would probably be a better way to go," says Jim Sanford with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. "Buy some new equipment and continue on with the facilities as they currently exist. That would be the smartest way to go and much cheaper."

The WRHA says if laundry services aren't moved out, they will end up costing more in the long run.

Jan Legeros says every time a washer or dryer breaks down, the entire system has to be shut down for repairs and employees have to work overtime.

Legeros says no one will be laid off as a result of the amalgamation.