RICHMOND HILL, Ontario — SEIU Healthcare, the union representing almost 300 workers at Extendicare Countryside, says the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care’s decision to once again issue a cease admissions order at the nursing home is further evidence that chronic staffing problems and unresolved workplace issues continue to put residents and frontline healthcare workers at risk. The renewed order follows ongoing concerns about the home’s ability to provide safe, quality care.
“Our members have been raising these concerns for months,” said Rhonda Savarie, SEIU Healthcare Union Representative. “The people providing care every day know exactly what is happening inside this home. They have repeatedly raised concerns about staffing levels, workloads and operational decisions that make it harder to provide the care residents deserve. It’s time for these concerns to be taken seriously.”
Workers report that staffing shortages continue across multiple departments, creating unsustainable workloads and increasing pressure on frontline staff. Numerous workload review forms have been submitted by employees documenting concerns about their ability to safely complete their work while meeting residents’ needs.
Workers also continue to face uncertainty surrounding proposed layoffs affecting Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), maintenance and housekeeping staff.
“When employers fail to adequately staff long-term care homes, residents pay the price and workers are left carrying impossible workloads,” said Savarie. “These are not isolated workplace concerns; they directly affect the care residents receive every day.”
SEIU Healthcare is calling on Extendicare to immediately address chronic staffing shortages, fill vacant positions, provide transparency regarding proposed layoffs, and work with the union to address the staffing issues affecting both workers and residents.
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SEIU Healthcare represents more than 75,000 frontline healthcare workers, including paramedics, personal support workers, nurses, dietary staff, environmental service workers and other healthcare professionals who provide essential care in hospitals, long-term care homes, community care and emergency medical services.