HOSPITAL SUPPORT STAFF RALLY

September 13, 1997 -- By BERNARD PILON -- Edmonton Sun
  Janitors, electricians and other non-medical hospital workers want their Capital Health Authority bosses to quit sweeping "invisible staff" under the budget rug.
 "We won't jeopardize patient care, but our objective is to get what we deserve," University hospital carpenter Gaetan Cadrin said yesterday.
 The 11-year support staffer was one of hundreds from the University, Glenrose, Misericordia and Sturgeon hospitals to rally outside CHA corporate offices on the U of A campus yesterday.
 They're demanding that health czars make good on old promises to give them back 1994's 5.38% wage cut once times got better.
 The group - all members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees or the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees - is angry that only doctors and nurses have benefited from an extra $40.9 million pumped back into Edmonton-area hospitals in November 1996.
 "They should give us back our 5% and go forward with other things," Cadrin said.
 His frustration was echoed by AUPE negotiator Dave Chipchura, who accused the CHA of dragging its feet at the bargaining table by trying to get the lowest possible deal.
 "It's not just doctors and nurses who run the system. We don't begrudge them their increase, but our workers have lost $2.5 million a year for three years," Chipchura said after the two-hour rally.
 In a news release, the unions described their support workers as overlooked "invisible staff."
 Michael Kennedy, a 16-year University hospital electrician, sported a sign that summed up his view: "If you think a hospital has only doctors and nurses, you're in the dark (and cold and hungry and dirty). Need we say more?"
 He termed the 1994 wage rollback "more of a loan to help out in time of need," noting the gesture by 1,700 support staffers has personally cost him thousands of dollars.
 CHA spokesman Donna Angus hinted that support staff will get at least some cash back in their next contract.

9:23 AM 13-Sep-97 @ http://www.canoe.com/EdmontonNews/23_n2.html