CUPE to hold town hall Tuesday on HHS staffing cuts

CUPE Local 7800 is holding a public town hall meeting Tuesday evening in Hamilton to discuss recent health-care staffing cuts. 

This local represents over 4,600 frontline hospital and health-care workers at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS).

The town hall will be held at 6 p.m. at the United Steelworkers Hall on Barton Street.

Union President Jillian Watt is encouraging people to come and show their support following September’s staffing cuts. 

READ MORE: HHS eliminates 97 clerical positions, CUPE expects increased wait times

In September, 413 staffing cuts were announced at HHS in response to government funding cuts. 

The union says that at least 1,500 health-care jobs have been eliminated across Ontario over the last year. 

Watt says these cuts will contribute to longer wait times and the removal of vital services such as operating rooms and surgical centres.

The government has previously responded to the union, saying the changes to HHS will not impact patient access to care or services.

READ MORE: CUPE warns HHS job cuts will increase wait times and reduce beds