The union representing employees at Hamilton Health Sciences says a plan to cut more than 400 jobs will result in “overcrowded hospitals” and “unsafe conditions for patients and workers.” In a memo to staff, Tracey MacArthur, the president and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences, confirmed that about 413 union and non-union positions have been identified for reduction, including 157 that are currently vacant. MacArthur said a deficit of approximately $150 million is projected for 2026-27. “HHS has a strong track record of operating efficiently. However, like many hospitals, we are facing rising costs and a growing demand for care,” the memo read. “In addition to $40M of cost reductions achieved last year, further action is required to operate within the funding available to us.” This reduction includes an estimated 97 clerical positions, as well as 143 nursing positions and 84 health care aide positions. MacArthur noted that “few if any individual nurses will exit HHS” due to the number of vacant positions. “A reduction in positions does not mean the same number of employees will lose their jobs… some of the positions identified are already vacant, and HHS currently has approximately 557 vacancies across all job categories in the organization,” the memo noted. “We will make every reasonable effort to use those vacancies to provide affected employees with opportunities to continue working at HHS.” In a written statement, CUPE 7800, which represents nearly 5,000 HHS employees, said the cuts “further undermine services at a hospital already buckling under the pressure of rising demand and insufficient staffing.” “These job cuts will result in pain and suffering in the form of longer wait times, overcrowded hospitals, an increase in toxicity and workplace violence, and unsafe conditions for patients and workers,” the union said. “The morale of the workforce, already very low from working so hard to deliver care to so many very ill patients, has been further eroded by this announcement.” The statement noted that across the province, hospitals’ operational costs are rising more than six per cent each year despite the fact that the provincial government has allotted a 3.3 per cent funding increase for 2026-27. “The government has an obligation to provide the people of Hamilton with quality health services that are accessible, timely, and safe,” Jillian Watt, president of CUPE 7800, said in a statement. Lily Barnes, a spokesperson for Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, said the cuts at HHS will “not impact patient access to care or services.” “As we continue to modernize and strengthen the delivery of hospital care, we have asked hospitals to plan for their long-term stability, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care in their community for generations to come,” the statement read. It went on to note that the provincial government is investing “a record $101 billion in our healthcare system, including a record 4% increase in hospital funding for a fourth consecutive year.” “While hospitals are independent corporations, responsible for their own day-to-day operations, including human resource matters, we will continue to work with Hamilton Health Sciences and all hospital partners to ensure people have access to the high-quality care they need, where they need it,” the statement concluded. CUPE plans to hold a rally on Oct. 13 at the Hamilton General hospital site to speak out against the cuts.
