Tensions grow for patients of private Windsor, Ont., imaging clinic as strike rolls on

Penny Edwards says she cried the moment she found out her mammogram was postponed because of a strike at Clear Medical Imaging.

After her initial appointment on Oct. 23 was pushed back because of an equipment issue at the clinic, the Essex, Ont., woman says it was rescheduled to Oct. 28 then workers went on strike.

Edwards says it's now been more than five weeks since she originally booked a mammogram after experiencing pain.

"But, you know, the mind goes places when you have an issue in that area," she said. "I just kind of want the peace of mind of finding out that there's nothing wrong or if there is something."

Roughly 130 workers at the cluster of 11 private clinics spread across Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent hit picket lines Friday morning. They're represented by Unifor Local 2458 and staff hold jobs like X-ray and ultrasound technologists.

Some of the key sticking points in negotiations, according to the union, arebenefits, wages, working conditions, contracting out work and getting union representation for all staff.

CBC Newshas not been able to reach the companyfor comment.

Despite not being able to currently get the test at Clear Imaging, Edwards says she's prepared to try and wait out the work stoppage until it's over.

Why people in southwestern Ontario might have trouble getting an x-ray, ultrasound

27 days ago

Duration 1:50

Unifor represented employees at Clear Medical Imaging are on strike at locations in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent after negotiations for a collective agreement broke off. The CBC's Chris Ensing reports.

"I feel that we should as women should be sticking to the places that you usually [go to] so they can compare. That's where I usually go and that's where I'm comfortable going And I'm hoping it's not too long [a] strike."

Edwards says while she sympathizes with the unionized staff attempting to get a better contract, she also thinks there should be something in place to not allow clinics like this to be completely shut down.

"These are people's lives you're playing with," she said. "I'm not saying mine is life-threatening ... I don't know what's going on with my breast. I have no idea. But if it turns out that it is, I'm going to be really pissed."

Other private clinics see uptick

The owner of another private clinic in Windsor-Essex that offers similar services says there's been a notable uptick in call volume from people looking to get tests done since the Clear Imaging strike started.

Belle River Imaging's Mander Matharu says it's been challenging but she can understand the heightened anxiety some people are feeling.

"We already had our patients that have been booked so trying to find space, we are doing the best we can to accommodate everyone," she said.

"We ask the patients to be very patient with us as we do this. It may take us a couple of days to return their phone calls, but we are working long hours to try and get this sorted out for them so that people don't have to wait to get their imaging done."

Matharu says patients should be checking in with their primary physician if they're concerned about a cancellation and to track their pain for comparison's sake.

She says her clinic has extended their hours of service to include this past Saturday and that they're considering doing so permanently.

For ultrasounds it's booked appointments only, according to Matharu, while X-rays are always walk-ins. She added some general ultrasounds are being booked within a few weeks at the moment.

Matharu says they do handle some urgent cases on a case-by-case basis, including for patients dealing with blood clots.

"Our schedule is fluid. It changes every day. We do try to fit those in," she said. "It could also be something where they came in for an X-ray and it's looking like they need to go to the hospital. We do also advise patients of that at that time."