Steelworkers issue update about Group Health court action

The United Steelworkers local that built the Group Health Centre has disclosed new details about its pending court action against the institution's de-rostering of 10,000 patients.

A case management hearing was held last week and Mike Da Prat, president of USW Local 2251, issued this statement today about the need to contact workers to be represented in the case:

Local 2251 is seeking a representation order from the Superior Court regarding the people that we are representing in the legal actions that Local 2251 is pursuing against the Group Health Centre.

If granted, the representation order will allow all affected people to be treated like parties in this legal action.

For purposes of the representation, we will be asking the court to designate three classes of plaintiffs.

• the first being the original brickers (and/or their surviving spouse) that have contributed $135 to the building of the Group Health and have been de-rostered by the Group Health and do not have a doctor
• the second class will be steelworker members (and/or their surviving spouse) that became enrolled in the Group Health but did not pay $135 up to 1980 – and have been de-rostered by the Group Health, and do not have a doctor
• the third class is Steelworkers (and/or their surviving spouse) that were enrolled after 1980 that were also de-rostered and do not have a doctor

The court may decide in favour of one class of plaintiff, in favour of two classes, in favour of three classes, or none.

It is important that you identify yourself by contacting the Union Hall at 705-942-3900 or Local2251@usw2251.ca or 8 Albert Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 2H6 (705) 942-3900 Fax: (705) 942-7870