Canadian Health Care Professionals Join Machinists
May 5, 2009
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Technicians employed by LifeLabs Laboratories in Toronto, ON, are the latest in a growing number of Health Care professionals to join the ranks of the IAM.
The 30 new members of Local 1295 in Toronto perform blood and E.C.G. tests at laboratories in Oshawa, Whitby and Ajax and Markham, ON. Since the beginning of this year, the IAM has organized 270 non-emergency ambulatory patient transfer workers in Toronto and Hamilton. The IAM also represents Patient Transfer workers at Medi-Van in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
“The goal of wage parity with Health Care Professionals in the public sector was the catalyst in bringing these workers to the Machinists,” explained IAMAW District 78 Organizer Scott Jackson. “Privatization of health care in Ontario has driven down wages in the private sector and there’s a desire here to gain a decent wage.”
