Eastern Health backtracks on hospital staff parking cap

Eastern Health has backtracked on a decision to limit the number of parking passes available at the largest hospitalin St. John's, after receiving heat from two major unions.

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A spokesperson for the health authoritysaid Thursday afternoon that any staff who want a pass will be able to get one on May 16.

The organization had beenplanning to place a hard cap on the number of parking spots available at two of the most popular lots at the Health Sciences Centre.

"As a result of feedback received from employees, Eastern Health has advised today that they have lifted the cap," communicationsofficialRobyn Pike in a statement.

The change comes after criticism heaped on the proposed policy by both the Registered Nurses'Union and NAPE, the largest public-sector union in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"You expect them to be at work at 7:30. They are willing to come to work but they get there and there is nowhere for them to park. So what do you expect them to do," said RNU PresidentDebbie Forward.

Staff at the NAPE officesaid it hashad a number of calls about the changes to the parking permits.

Prices hiked

The price increase for a parking pass, which was introduced as part of the most recent provincial budget, still applies.As of May 1, the price of parking permits at the the Health Sciences Centre, St.Clare'sand Miller Centre rose by $50 a year.

NAPE President Jerry Earlecalled it just another hit to government employees.

"It's a significant increase atthe time when public sector employees are also feeling the impact of the budget," he said.

Earlier this week,parking permits at the Health Science Centre were being sold on a first-come, first-servedbasis.

In explaining the proposed cap, Eastern Health said something had to be done to prevent overfilling of the two Health Science lots.

The organization said on Thursday afternoon that it isstill encouraging their employees to carpool, where possible. Carpooling permits are free for staff.