After months of pressure, the Ontario Government finally started listening to the demands from our union. We’ve been calling for permanent wage increases for ALL healthcare heroes, full-time jobs with benefits like paid sick days and strong pensions, increased staffing levels so our most vulnerable get the care they need, and safe workplaces with accessible PPE.
We’ve been writing, calling, speaking with the media and running campaigns to make MPPs at Queen’s Park start working for you, not the millionaires who profit from our healthcare system.
On September 3rd, Premier Ford said about SEIU Healthcare, “I heard the head of the union. I agree with her. Let’s start getting action.”
Then yesterday, on October 1st, Premier Ford announced a temporary wage increase for PSWs who deliver publicly funded services. This is a big first step to putting more money in your pocket and we’re going to fight to make it higher and permanent. But right now, this enhancement will include only work done in the six-month period from October 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021.
If you’re an eligible PSW doing publicly-funded work, this is what the increase means:
- $3 per hour in home and community care
- $3 per hour in long-term care;
- $2 per hour in public hospitals; and
- $3 per hour for workers in children, community and social services providing personal direct support services.
Unfortunately, Premier Ford’s decisions mean too many essential healthcare heroes are left in the cold. That’s just wrong.
SEIU Healthcare is prepared to keep up the pressure and keep up the fight until every single healthcare and community service worker is supported.
We’ll have more to say about the ongoing fight to workers this Monday, October 5 at 7:00pm during our all member telephone town hall. Stay tuned for an email later today that will provide more details on how you can tune in.
Based on union member feedback, we put together a report card so we can keep track of what Premier Ford’s government is doing (or not doing) to ensure your physical, mental, and economic security. SEIU Healthcare will continue our fight until all workers receive the respect and dignity you deserve. We’ve had your back since day one of this pandemic and we won’t stop now.
