Renfrew strikers to picket Extendicare's Markham headquarters September 16

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Striking home care staff from Renfrew County are moving their picket line to Markham on Tuesday.

Professional and support staff will picket outside of Extendicare's head office on Steeles Avenue, September 16 at noon. The company owns ParaMed Home Health Care, which 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.

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. Starting wage for a home support worker at ParaMed is $12.88 per hour – less than what is required to move them out of poverty. In addition, these workers require a vehicle to do their jobs.

When:	Tuesday, September 16, noon
Where:	3000 Steeles Ave. East (at Woodbine), Markham
Who:	OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas will be available to the media

SOURCE: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Rick Janson, OPSEU Head Office, 416-443-8888 ext. 8383 or 416-525-3324.