NAPE says NL Health Services has proposed that ultrasound services in the Labrador-Grenfell Zone be contracted out, a move which the union is slamming as the “encroachment of privatization.”

NAPE President Jerry Earle says a meeting was held with a union rep on February 18, and they were informed of the Health Authority’s proposal a few days later.

Earle says the plan could be implemented “in the coming days”, and they are “fervently opposed” to agencies doing public-sector bargaining unit work.

He says the issue boils down to a simple question:

“If an agency can provide an employee, why (can’t) Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services find those employees?” He says the union is not prepared to see public services “eroded,” noting that it is not a cost-effective or efficient option, and is an “absolute insult” to employees.)

Earle says NAPE met with NLHS last fall to talk about solutions to the issue.

He says the meeting took place on October 3 and they discussed the use of locums as a possible solution, to which they have not received a response.

VOCM News has reached out to NLHS for comment.