Two unions representing workers at Halifax hospital sites say parking problems for employees are so acute that it will become a staffing retention issue if solutions aren’t found soon.
The Houston government made good on an election campaign promise Thursday by implementing a new free parking program at health-care sites in Nova Scotia.
But angry feedback from Halifax staff had Nova Scotia Health and the IWK asking for patience after workers complained the new system has made it impossible for them to find parking spots unless they arrive significantly earlier for their shifts.
“It’s definitely extremely frustrating for our members and absolutely our members are going to look for other options if they continually face this situation every day,” said Hugh Gillis, first vice-president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union.
“We recognize the announcement is a step in the right direction, but it’s leaving some of our health-care workers at our busiest sites behind.”
At issue are the busy blocks around the Halifax Infirmary, Victoria General Hospital and IWK Health Centre, which are within walking distance of the city’s downtown. Both the Infirmary and IWK tore down parking garages in the last few years to accommodate major redevelopment projects, leading to a critical shortage of spaces.
At the Victoria General site, the health authority started a valet program that has visitors hand over their keys to parking attendants who double-park vehicles to maximize space in the high-demand lot.
For months now, staff at the hospitals have been encouraged to park at designated lots off-site and take shuttles to work. But that has raised safety concerns, with employees complaining about having to return to their vehicles in poorly lit areas after their shifts end.
Nova Scotia Health said permanent lighting upgrades are in the works.
Amid these frustrations, Premier Tim Houston announced the province was following through with its pledge to offer free parking at all hospitals that would benefit patients, visitors and staff.
“Our health-care professionals work hard for sure. Whatever the situation is today, it will be the same tomorrow,” Houston said Wednesday when the plan was announced. “We will continue to look for ways to support staff. We respect the work they do and try to make sure they have a good working environment.”
But one nurse at the Infirmary who wrote to CBC News called the premier’s pledge a “bold and outrageous lie,” saying that working conditions are now significantly worse for staff, who showed up early for their shifts on Thursday only to find all the staff lots full by 6:30 a.m.
“If the province wants to increase staffing in Halifax, parking is a HUGE consideration,” she wrote.
Other employees who contacted CBC said they were left circling for blocks on Thursday after discovering the carpool spots in the Infirmary parkade are no longer available for staff.
They were told if they park there now, they’ll pay $6 an hour, or $72 for their 12-hour shifts.
Parking a bone of contention
Nova Scotia Health said it opted to open up the carpooling spots to the public because just 25 of the 100 spots were being used daily on average.
Meanwhile, a surgeon at the VG said physicians were left scrambling on Thursday. About 350 doctors have passes to park anywhere in the health authority’s network, but some couldn’t find places when they were competing with extra patients and visitors on Thursday.
Janet Hazelton, president of the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union, which represents nurses at the IWK, said parking has been a bone of contention for years. She said she is aware of one nurse who recently left her job because of it, and warns more could follow if the province doesn’t fix things soon.
She sees it as a serious safety issue when staff have to walk blocks away to get to their vehicles.
“If they are concerned about their safety, they will take action. And they can,” she said of the possibility of some quitting.
Email for complaints
The health authority has received so many complaints that it has now set up an email address specifically for the parking issue. It’s asking staff to send their ideas for solutions.
“We’re going to explore everything that makes sense in an effort to find that balance,” said Brendan Elliott, a spokesperson for Nova Scotia Health.
“We’re listening to every single concern and trying to address the concerns as they come up, so I just request patience from our staff as we work through all of this. Definitely we’ve heard what you’ve heard. But we’re dealing with a supply and demand issue.”
The health authority has an incentive for employees to take public transit, offering a monthly pass for $25, and says about 1,300 employees have opted into the program.
The IWK is also grappling with complaints from staff.
“IWK Health recognizes that the current parking situation isn’t ideal for all staff,” it said in a statement. “The current parking plan is meant to be temporary as the IWK continues to work on more permanent parking solutions.”
The Health Department said in a statement that the parking program will continue to be fine-tuned.
“It is important to note that while free on-site parking is for patients, visitors and staff, the program does not guarantee anyone a parking spot,” it said.