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“Ontario wants to transfer more responsibility to this sector, but the private for-profit operators have shown little interest in providing a stable workforce to keep patients out of hospital,” says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.
Toronto (16 Sept. 2014) — Striking home care staff from Renfrew County are moving their picket line to Markham today.
Renfrew strikers to picket Extendicare's Markham headquarters September 16
Professional and support staff will be picketing outside of Extendicare’s head office on Steeles Avenue, September 16 at noon. The company owns ParaMed Home Health Care, whose management team walked away from the bargaining table more than a week ago. The workers have been on strike since September 2.
“Ontario wants to transfer more responsibility to this sector, but the private for-profit operators have shown little interest in providing a stable workforce to keep patients out of hospital,” says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE).
ParaMed, owned by Extendicare, wants a five-year wage freeze yet increased the CEO's pay to $1.145 million last year
While Extendicare did increase compensation for its $1.145 million CEO last year, they are seeking to extend the wage freeze for the ParaMed front-line workers to five years. The starting wage for a home support worker at ParaMed is $12.88 per hour — less than what is needed to move them out of poverty. In addition, these workers require a vehicle to do their jobs.
The picket will take place at 3000 Steeles Ave. East (at Woodbine), in Markham, Ontario, starting at noon.
More information:
Extendicare's U.S. woes may be stoking Renfrew County home care strike
ParaMed Home Health Care staff strike today in Renfrew County
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