Final spin for laundry staff

Hospital workers fought for their jobs throughout the Southern Interior today as they wait to hear whether Interior Health will privatize laundry services.

Dozens of laundry workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics and union representatives rallied outside Kelowna General Hospital to let IH know they want laundry to stay local.

With loud music, flags flying and pizza in hand, the group cheered for public support – and got it – with car horns honking as motorists drove by.

“This is huge for me. I have three teenage kids, and I need to work,” said Rhonda Studer, a laundry worker at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops for more than nine years.

“Everyone is pretty down and out. It has been a year and a half that they have been holding this over our heads, and we really would like a decision, for or against, just so we know where to go.”

Studer argued local laundry workers are efficient and an important piece of the health-care system. 

“In Kamloops and in Kelowna, they both make money for IHA. I don't understand the $10.5 million equipment fix they keep holding over our heads – it is such a small drop in the hat in comparison to what they would be spending if they went private, because private is always for profit.”

She claimed the privatized system at the coast has left doctors, nurses and staff frustrated.

“I've heard lots of people complaining of wet linen and dirty linen, and it is because when it's private, you don't necessarily care – your bottom line is your bottom line,” said Studer. “Whereas, we care what we are tucking grandma into. This is devastating, it is sad.”

Union members representing teachers and firefighters joined forces with the Hospital Employees Union staff at the rally.

Ken Robinson said they were outside the hospital on Monday to both thank the citizens of Kelowna for their support and to urge IHA to “do the right thing."

“People believe hospital laundry services should stay at KGH,” said Robinson. “When polled on Castanet, more than 80 per cent of citizens felt laundry services are vital to public health care and should be done at KGH.”

The union hopes the support will convince IH not to privatize.

“Six city councils have moved to support us, numerous regional districts have supported us. They want the services to stay public and they want them to stay in the Interior. They do not want laundry being shipped off to Alberta or Vancouver,” said Studer.

“This is about making a modest investment in the communities for the new equipment that is required to keep up this already efficient operation.”

Interior Health is expected to announce its decision on privatization sometime this week.

Rallies were also held today in Vernon, Penticton, Kamloops, 100 Mile House and Nelson.