CUPE NL stands against hiring agency nurses to staff 45 new beds in Corner Brook

Donna Ryan is the CUPE national rep for the western zone. She says this isn’t fair to LPN”s on site who are making less money and it’s affecting morale, as they are making $30 an hour and agency workers are making $80.

The hiring of public agency nurses has long been a thorn in the side of the union representing licensed practical nurses in NL. In a news release last Valentine’s day, CUPE NL President Sherry Hillier said “Overcrowding in hospitals isn’t just a symptom of so many people needing support, it’s a symptom of years of chronic underfunding, poor pay, and money waster on private agency nurses.” Two days before the news release, Dr. Pat Parfrey, the CEO of NL Health Services was in Corner Brook to announce plans to renovate two floors at the former hospital and add 45 beds. He also said at the time they may have to hire agency nurse to staff the Corner Brook Community Health Centre. Donna Ryan is the CUPE national rep for the western zone. She says this isn’t fair to LPN”s on site who are making less money and it’s affecting morale, as they are making $30 an hour and agency workers are making $80.

Ryan says this province has a limited number of health care workers and they are leaving to to take agency jobs to make better money and the reality is that health care workers here don’t make enough to even cover the cost of living. She says government can change this by spending the money for agency nurses on staff that are here now and more people will choose careers in health care. Ryan says the onus is left on LPN’s since they know the residents and their needs. As well, she says our seniors deserve better since these are their homes which should be made as welcoming and enjoyable as if they were in their own home. 

In 2023 alone, government spent $91 million on travel nurses.