Ramping up the campaign against hospital cuts

A major escalation in the campaign against cuts at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

Staff represented by CUPE Local 139 are announcing later today an electronic town hall with the entire community being called to take part.

Union president Shawn Shank says they’re going to call everyone in North Bay to invite them to discuss the cuts at the hospital and how they can help.

He says this has never been done before in Ontario.

On top of previous bed closures and staff reductions, the hospital will be closing 30 beds and cutting over 150 jobs.

Shank says they know the public opposes the cuts, pointing to a recent unanimous motion from city council.

He says people want to know what they can do and they’ll be discussing that.

A postcard campaign directed to the Minister of Health is also kicking off this week.