Whereas the 47 layoffs announced Nov. 16 at York Central Hospital will affect various positions including Personal Care Assistants (PCAs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) Dialysis Assistants, and Food Services Attendants, setting in motion a chain of bumping and job loss, causing further chaos and uncertainty in our hospital;

And whereas this is the second round of layoff notices issued within the last nine months;

And whereas front-line and support staff have been hit with 100 per cent of all layoffs, while the hospital has been able to hire more managers;

And whereas south-central York Region, the area serviced by YCH, is among the fastest-growing regions in Canada, both in population and in wealth, with the hospital recently receiving $46.5 million for expansion; and needs more, not fewer front-line and support workers in health care.

We the undersigned, community members and staff petition the Legislative Assembly and YCH Board as follows:

That YCH stop laying off workers, stop creating fear and uncertainty in its work force, and provide the best possible health care services for the community;