Chaplains and spiritual care practitioners from St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Providence Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospitals have joined CUPE in a certification vote held Monday afternoon. The 32-person unit consists of hospital chaplains and spiritual care practitioners from different religious denominations across the three hospitals, which merged in 2017 and are now collectively known as Our Shared Purpose. Spiritual Care has been integral to these hospitals since their foundation. Chaplains and practitioners play a vital role in the care of patients, families and fellow hospital workers.
Organizer Deb Oldfield was happy to welcome the group into CUPE. “With all the changes going on at the hospitals due to the merger, these workers decided they wanted to have a strong, unified voice in their workplace, equal treatment from their employer and respect for the services they provide. By joining CUPE they are in a better position to face these uncertain times.”