Mental Health Centre Faces Layoff Protest

Staff at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre protested planned job reductions at its long-term care facility, Royal Ottawa Place, on Monday. CUPE 942, representing employees, stated that 15 essential roles, including nurses and support workers, are slated for elimination. The union expressed grave concerns that these cuts will compromise the quality of care for patients with severe mental illnesses.

Union leaders assert that the layoffs will lead to burnout among remaining staff and a potential increase in incidents of violence. They also highlighted a prior closure of 12 beds, a claim disputed by The Royal's spokesperson, who stated that no beds are being cut. This discrepancy fuels further anxiety among workers and patient advocates.

Despite the union's strong opposition, a spokesperson for The Royal affirmed that staffing changes are part of regular operations and are continuously assessed to ensure high-quality care. The center insists that staffing will remain safe and appropriate, a statement the union finds difficult to reconcile with the significant number of proposed job losses.