Media Advisory - OPSEU/SEFPO, NUPGE, and BloodWatch Call for Canadian Blood Services CEO to Resign

Protest to be held in Ottawa on December 1

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 30, 2022 /CNW/ - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO), the National Union for Public and General Employees (NUPGE), and BloodWatch.org will protest at Canadian Blood Services' head office in Ottawa on December 1. CBS has signed an undisclosed agreement with Grifols, a private multi-national pharmaceutical manufacturer, allowing Grifols to operate a paid plasma collection scheme across the country, including Ontario.

This is the first time that donors will be paid to donate plasma in Ontario. A paid plasma scheme goes against recommendations from the Krever Commission and would negatively affect voluntary collection efforts. The agreement would allow CBS to exploit a loophole in the Voluntary Blood Donations Act in Ontario and BC, give Grifols a monopoly on plasma collection, and essentially create a two-tiered system for plasma collection in Canada.

OPSEU/SEFPO and its allies are calling for the CBS CEO and board chair to resign, for this agreement to be immediately revoked, and for CBS to properly invest in the current plasma collection infrastructure.

Leaders from across Canada will make formal statements and be available to speak to the media (subject to change):

• Jason MacLean, Secretary-Treasurer of NUPGE
• Sarah Labelle, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO Hospital Professionals Division
• Kat Lanteigne, Executive Director and Co-Founder of BloodWatch.org
• Mike Parker, President of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA)
• Sandra Mullen, President of the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU)
• Steven Staples, Canadian Health Coalition

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)