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What's more said Hurley at a media conference to release the poll findings, "it's a grim and concerning reality that despite the fact incidents are happening almost daily, workers fear reprisal and incidents are under-reported". The majority of respondents said that in the last year, in the workplace they had experienced at least one incident of physical violence, but many said they had experienced nine or more occurrences.

59 per cent of the poll respondents are RPNs or PSWs. Of those respondents 73 per cent are women. 41 per cent of respondents provided other important support services at NBRHC. A high number, 81 per cent also indicated they witnessed incidents of physical and non-physical violence toward co-workers in the last year.

40 per cent of respondents had experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault either physical or non-physical in the last year. "These workers are largely women. This is violence against women that's being allowed to happen here. In what other workplace would sexual harassment and sexual violence, at this level be tolerated?" Asked Sharon Richer, OCHU north eastern

Ontario vice-president. The poll also points to a climate of intimidation in the workplace and an under-reporting of incidents. 51 per cent responded that they are afraid of reprisal if they speak up about an incident of violence. The poll shows that there are far-more incidents of violence experienced by respondents than are actually reported. "The findings show violence is pervasive in this workplace. It's an unsafe work environment where something is standing in the way of workers reporting incidents. There is a fear of reprisal if you report. There is also under-reporting, which is linked to reprisal. There is no doubt people are afraid to speak out," said Hurley. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Hurley OCHU President 416-884-0770 Sharon Richer OCHU, Vice-President North Eastern Ontario 705-280-0911 Stella Yeadon CUPE Communications 416-559-9300 Source: Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU)

35,000 direct job losses for the public sector and somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 indirect job losses in the private sector, throwing the economy into a deep recession,” says Lucas.

On top of that,” says Lucas, “after saying they were opposed to P3s – so-called public-private-partnerships – during the election campaign, the Liberal government now says it wants to ‘explore’ privatized health care and other vital public services.