HEU calls for details in FHA private contracts

HEU calls for details in FHA private contracts
By Dan Hilborn, Burnaby Now assistant editor
Published July 16, 2003


The Hospital Employees Union is calling on B.C. Health Services Minister Colin Hansen to release the details of its newly signed contracts for private security and laundry services at the Fraser Health Authority's nine hospitals.

"We had to turn to the courts to open their meetings to the public, and we're confident that by turning to the office of the privacy commissioner, we'll be able to blow the doors off these secret contracts," said Stephen Howard, director of communications for the union.

At issue are the contracts signed by the FHA, the largest of six health regions in B.C., with Intercon Security Ltd. and K-Bro Linen Systems.

Last month, the FHA laid off five managers, plus 56 full-time, 18 part-time and 40 casual unionized workers who provided in-house security services at the region's nine hospitals. According to the FHA, the move will save $9.1 million over the five-year term of the contract.

Howard said the union is fully confident that its Freedom of Information requests on the private contracts will be allowed because of a 1997 ruling that forced the University of British Columbia to release details of its contract to allow Coca-Cola the exclusive right to sell soft drinks on its campus.

Howard said the union is particularly concerned about "the so- called performance standards" that will force the private contractors to uphold the same standard of services that was previously provided by the unionized workers.

"We wonder what have they got to hide," Howard said. "Why aren't they disclosing these contracts? If, as minister Hansen has said, this is an open and transparent process, then why aren't the contracts public?"

This week, the union also released a statement from liability lawyer David Rosenberg stating that the provincial government and its health authorities will not be able to sidestep legal responsibility if patients are harmed by poor infection control or cleaning practices at hospitals where support services such as housekeeping have been privatized.

"Liability cannot be avoided by contracting out," Rosenberg said in a July 7 press release from the HEU. "If it turns out contracted services are substandard and cause the spread of infectious disease, then health authorities and the provincial government would be liable."

The FHA has previously insisted that performance standards will not be reduced under the contracts. However, they also refuse to release all the details of those contracts due to business-client confidentiality.

"There certain information which is proprietary, such as financial details and other specific confidential information," FHA manager of shares services said last month when the security contract was let. "But we have provided a general overview, and we've declared the total amount of the contract which is $16.6 million. Also, we have ensured that standards will be maintained or enhanced. We're satisfied that there are provisions in the contract that will do that."