The Canadian Union of Public Employees is claiming the Horizon Health Network is looking to cut 4 per cent of its workforce which would be from 400 to 500 jobs. 131 job cuts have been announced but Ralph McBride, provincial co-ordinator for CUPE local 1252, tells CHSJ News that's just the beginning of the reductions because Horizon still has to reduce its budget by almost 14 million dollars and it's that amount which has healthcare workers so anxious.
McBride warns if frontline workers are cut then patient care will be adversely affected.
Provincial Health Minister Ted Flemming argues health care should not be used to create jobs and McBridge counters that by saying it isn't because each of his members has a specific role to play to keep the system functioning.
