OPSEU's Warren (Smokey) Thomas to speak at Information Rally Sunday, July 5 in Kitchener

KITCHENER, ON, July 3, 2015 /CNW/ - OPSEU Locals throughout Ontario are rallying to protest CarePartners refusal to negotiate with the healthcare professionals of Local 294.

Where:	Speaker's Corner, Kitchener
When:	12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Sunday July 5^th.
Who:	OPSEU President Smokey Thomas
	First Vice President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida

"Our public healthcare dollars are scarce. The money the government collects from taxpayers should pay for patient care, not fattening the bank accounts of private owners of home health care delivery," says Thomas. "The employees of CarePartners have been on strike for eleven weeks. These professionals are standing up for a fair contract that ensures proper patient care."

CarePartners is a for-profit company which is in turn contracted by the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant CCAC.  Since this is the public's money, OPSEU has called for Dr. Eric Hoskins, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, to intercede and ensure a fair settlement immediately.

Kitchener is the home of CarePartners' owner Linda Knight, and Local 294 would like to send her a message:  Get back to the table and negotiate a fair deal!  Put patient care before your profit.

Nurses are currently paid by the visit rather than by the hour.  They have no sick days or compensation for overtime. This is appalling treatment of staff whose work is so vital to the community.  Staff turnover rates at the agency are already high. Local 294 is demanding that Linda Knight bargain in good faith, and give workers the respect they deserve. Thus ensuring patients receive the quality care they need.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931