Service Employees International Union (SEIU) members picketed on Deep Bay Road, outside the Minden Hospital, June 1, claiming the ER closure was not done in accordance with collective agreements.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) did not respond to e-mailed questions as of press time June 7.

SEIU union rep, Cindy Seaton, said her union is against ER closures, as it not only impacts their members but the public.

“Especially this time of year, being June 1, and we all know that tourist season is coming. I don’t know why they would be closing an ER in the busiest time of the year.”

She claimed HHHS did not follow the process it was supposed to as per collective agreement.

“If they were going to do closures or something else that would adversely affect our members, then they were supposed to have meetings with us way before they implemented anything and we got notification a day or two before the community and the members did,” Seaton said.

“If they were going to do closures or something else that would adversely affect our members, then they were supposed to have meetings with us way before they implemented anything and we got notification a day or two before the community and the members did,” Seaton said.

“If they were going to do closures or something else that would adversely affect our members, then they were supposed to have meetings with us way before they implemented anything and we got notification a day or two before the community and the members did,” Seaton said.