Iha Laundry Privatization

Interior Health seeks outside laundry service providers

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Interior Health is moving forward with a plan to privatize laundry service in the region. The organization says it is now seeking more information from pre-qualified service providers recently identified. This will allow Interior Health to look at the external options available, something it hopes will help reduce necessary capital costs to upgrade...

Another reprieve for Interior Health laundry workers

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The Hospital Employees’ Union is welcoming news that Interior Health is delaying its decision to contract out laundry services. New Interior Health President and CEO Chris Mazurkewich says in a release today, Nov. 25, not to expect a decision before March 2016. He’s been on the job less than a month and wants...

Laundry worker seriously injured at Kelowna General Hospital

KELOWNA - WorkSafe BC is investigating a serious workplace accident where a laundry worker was caught up in machinery at Kelowna General Hospital. In an emailed statement, Alan Davies, director of support services for the Interior Health Authority, confirmed the accident happened last Friday, Aug. 21. "Our thoughts are with our employee and their family...

Hospital laundry workers continue anti-privatization protest as decision looms

KELOWNA - The Hospital Employees Union continued its public pressure campaign against privatization of laundry services this week with a pair of rallies in the largest communities within the Interior Health Authority. Laundry workers sought to bring provincial politicians into the mix by protesting in front of the contituency offices of MLA Terry Lake in...

Laundry privatization decision expected this summer

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Hospital Employee Union members who filled the Interior Health Authority board meeting yesterday to show their concern about laundry service privatization got a polite but firm message from chairman Erwin Malzer. “Thank you very much for bringing your concerns to us but no decision will be made until we receive the request for...

Laundry workers bring anti-privatization message to Interior Health

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Hospital Employees' Union reps will get their first chance to argue their case against privatizing laundry services in front of the Interior Health Authority board next week. “We hope after our presentation that they will conclude this is a necessary service,” union representative Mike Old says, noting he is well aware board members...

Union takes fight for hospital laundry services to the street

KELOWNA - Hospital Employees Union members took to the streets outside Kelowna General Hospital today to push for the Interior Health Authority to reconsider a plan to privatize laundry services. “These are workers that perform a very important health care service, they ensure that operating rooms are stocked with clean linens. Here at KGH 17,000...

Kamloops councillors back hospital laundry workers

KAMLOOPS - The health of the hospital is so much more than just doctors and nurses and potential job cuts to laundry services could deeply hurt the hospital. This is the message Donisa Bernardo, the Hospital Employees' Union's financial scretary, brought to Kamloops city council Tuesday, April 14. The organization is concerned about the amount...

Rally planned as union looks at potential job loss in face of laundry privatization

KAMLOOPS – About 150 to 175 workers who could potentially lose their jobs if Interior Health follows through on contracting out laundry services to private companies will be rallying alongside other union members next week. The protest, set to take place in Kamloops on March 31, is one of the ways Barbara Nederpel and the...