As long term care workers continue their fight for better working conditions, their union is planning a rally at Chatham-Kent’s municipally-run long term care home.
Officials with Unifor Local 127 say negotiations with Riverview Gardens have reached an impasse. The union’s collective agreement expired on January 1, 2022, with staffing shortages, a lack of time-off, wages, and benefits among the main issues in the dispute.
“Agency workers are often paid more than double the wages of bargaining unit members,” said Fortier. “When employers are prepared to take on those excessive costs, this clearly is not about money; they have the resources to negotiate a fair collective agreement, especially in light of what they have been through the last 2 years.”
The union also says members are often unable to take their vacation and the company is refusing to grant leaves to members who want to attend union business.
“We held a bargaining update meeting with the membership on June 22, 2022, which was well attended and held a ‘mock strike vote,’ and 99% of the membership was prepared to consider a strike if it was legal in Ontario,” said Jeff McFadden, President of Local 127. “That just shows how low the morale of our workers are. They deserve some relief.”
A demonstration is being planned for July 7th from 1-4pm in front of the King Street West long term care facility.
