Joyce Lusunike

Union calling for urgent government action to pave the way for speedier vaccination rollout including transparency, communications, and emergency paid sick leave for healthcare workers

SEIU Healthcare has filed an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario on behalf of workers at Responsive Group’s Rykka Care Centres, pursuant to section 34(5) of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

We are mourning the loss of our beloved SEIU Healthcare Sister, Maureen Ambersley, who passed away due to COVID-19 on January 5, 2021. Maureen was an incredible and loving person, a compassionate nurse, and a proud and involved union member.

SEIU Healthcare was outraged, to learn from media reports that the provincial government is obstructing the work of Ontario’s Long-Term Care Commission. This is why our union instead called for a public inquiry, not a commission, so that families could learn the chain of failed decisions that led to so many avoidable deaths.

It’s time to re-instate Pandemic Pay for all healthcare workers. As we learn more about safe vaccination roll-out plans, governments are rightly identifying essential workers in the healthcare system as priority recipients of approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Today marks the first day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Especially during a pandemic, where mental and physical abuse has increased against women, girls, LGBTQ2+, and gender diverse individuals. It’s also harder for these individuals to access the organizations and services they need.

SEIU Healthcare stands with all unions that represent paramedics in support of the recommendation of the EMS Section 21 subcommittee to establish itself as a separate, stand-alone committee.

Ontario government must rethink and reset COVID-19 plans and allow union partners to join the pandemic response table

I’m writing to urge you to act more boldly in the face of the growing risks Ontario’s hospital workers are facing on the frontlines of a dangerous, global pandemic. Simply put, this is no time for complacency. Case loads are on the rise. Hospitals are filling up. Our system requires urgent attention, now.

We are excited to announce, that for the first time ever, you can join your fellow SEIU Healthcare nurses across the province virtually in our Nursing Division’s Educational Webinar Series throughout November and December of 2020.

Today our elected officials at the legislative assembly did the right thing by moving forward Bill 13, The Time to Care Act. We especially thank MPP Teresa Armstrong for her commitment to these efforts. But make no mistake, this vote is an acknowledgement that the conditions as they exist today are systematically failing the people who work and live in…

SEIU Healthcare organized a rally at Southlake Regional Hospital in Newmarket and invited the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) and the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) to express our solidarity on this matter. Our message was loud and clear; we need to put a stop to workplace violence.