October 14 is a momentous day as more than 300 Environmental Services (EVS) housekeeping workers across seven Providence Health Care sites officially join the Providence family! A total of 309 housekeeping workers will be repatriated at the following PHC sites:
- St. Paul’s Hospital – 199 housekeeping workers
- Mount Saint Joseph Hospital – 49 housekeeping workers
- St. Vincent’s: Langara– 16 housekeeping workers
- Holy Family Hospital – 14 housekeeping workers
- St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni– 13 housekeeping workers
- Youville Residence – 13 housekeeping workers
- St. John Hospice Providence – five housekeeping workers
This comes after the provincial government announced in August 2021 that health authorities and PHC would repatriate commercial housekeeping and food service contracts under Bill 47— the Health Sector Statutes Repeal Act. Welcoming more than 300 new staff at once is a tremendous undertaking, and has involved months of planning and diligence carried out by a dedicated PHC Bill 47 Project team working to ensure Food and Environmental Services housekeeping staff have a positive and seamless onboarding experience.
On Oct. 14 we celebrate Providence people: the 309 individuals who are marking their first day with us, and the dedicated PHC people who have worked so hard to make it all possible.
Celebrations to commemorate the day and welcome staff are taking place at all seven sites, including a Welcome Event at St. Paul’s Hospital. Please see the event details below and join us if you can.
Event details: Friday, Oct. 14th from 9 a.m. till 10 a.m. in the 4th floor Cafeteria, Dining Room 3, St. Paul’s Hospital.
New look, same service
While there is no change to EVS operations or service continuity, you may notice EVS staff in new PHC-issued scrub-like uniforms similar to current PHC clinical staff uniforms.
Our extended health care team of EVS colleagues are critical to the running of our facilities. Bringing EVS in-house better enables us to ensure the health, safety and wellness of everyone within our walls.
We hope you will join us in welcoming and thanking the dedicated people who continue to do the essential and life-saving work of keeping our sites clean.
Under Bill 47, an estimated 4,000 workers will be brought back into the public system in B.C. To learn more about Bill 47, read Seniors and patients to benefit from fair workplace legislation.
To learn more about the EVS Repatriation at PHC, visit the EVS Onboarding web page.
