Health workers protest privatization

More than 200unionizedhospital workersdemonstratedinMonctonFriday over the provincial government'splans toprivatizethe management of non-medical services.

Health Minister VictorBoudreauannounced the movelast week, saying it could save millions of dollars, but may mean job losses.

The targeted support services includeporters and orderlies, as well as maintenance and food service workers.

The marchers included support workers, licensed practical nurses (LPNs)and lab workers.

TheCanadian Union of Public Employees members started at Crown Plaza at noon and proceeded toMonctonCity Hall, whereNorman Robinson, of the New Brunswick Council of Hospital Unions, addressed the crowd.

"We have statistics from across the world and across Canada to show that when private companies come in, they do things cheaper, which is going to increase the amounts of infections in hospitals," said Robinson.

"People are going to die," he said.

Boudreauhas said the employees doing the work will remainunionized, public-sector workers, but there may be fewer of them.

The government is currently negotiating with a private company, butBoudreaucould not saywhen the new management system will be put in place.