Personal support workers awarded improved contract following 2-week winter strike

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Jan. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - "I'm happy to report that on January 8, a neutral arbitrator issued a new contract for our PSWs working out of Red Cross. It is an improvement over the previous tentative agreement and proves that when we stand together, we can put pressure on employers and government for change," said Sharleen Stewart, President of SEIU Healthcare, the union representing the 4,500 caregivers who were on strike across Ontario in late December.

Interest arbitration is normally reserved for essential service workers but was used in this case to help resolve the strike on its second week just before the holidays. The contract is binding for the workers and for the employer, Red Cross/Red Cross Care Partners.

"I was blown away by the passion and dedication of these women and men who stood up for their rights after rejecting a contract that didn't do them or their services justice," added Stewart.

SEIU Healthcare continues its campaign to fix the homecare system. It intends to work with government to mandate substantial improvements in recruiting and retaining homecare PSWs. To do this the government must recognize the value of this critical work by providing homecare PSWs the same wages, benefits, and compensation for all hours worked just like their counterparts in hospitals and nursing homes.

The PSWs voted down a tentative agreement in November and went on strike on December 11. The parties agreed to interest arbitration as a means to end the strike as they were not able to negotiate a contract that would be satisfactory for both parties.

@SEIUHealthCan
@J4PSWs
www.j4pswsblog.wordpress.com (photos, stories from the picket lines)

About SEIU Healthcare

SEIU Healthcare represents more than 55,000 healthcare and community service workers across Ontario. The union's members work in hospitals, home care, nursing and retirement homes, and community services throughout the province. SEIU Healthcare has a strong track record of improving wages, benefits and working conditions for healthcare workers, supporting the training and development needs of its members, and strengthening standards in the management and delivery of patient and client care. www.seiuhealthcare.ca

SOURCE: SEIU Healthcare

Gilleen Witkowski 
SEIU Healthcare 
416-805-0305 
[email protected]