July 2020 Update

We would like to take a moment to update you on the first half of 2020 and provide you with a look ahead at what we will be advocating for in the second half of the year.

What has happened so far …

Doug Ford’s Government is taking healthcare in the wrong direction

Capping healthcare worker wages with Bill 124
Denying healthcare workers flexible vacation time with Bill 195
Further privatizing homecare services with Bill 175
Cuts to nursing home inspections that keep management in check
No fines for employers that deny healthcare workers the PPE they need to stay safe
Not including all healthcare workers in Pandemic Pay and not making it permanent

Some of what SEIU Healthcare has been up to:

Being the voice of healthcare workers during this pandemic, with President Sharleen Stewart being one of the most prevalent voices in the media and to the government.
Hosted weekly Facebook Live Events to answer COVID-19 related questions and concerns
Provided up-to-date and evolving COVID-19 resources
Organized Appreciation Rallies all over Ontario, from Cornwall to Thunder Bay
Joined CUPE and Unifor to advance our fight for Pandemic Pay for all healthcare workers during the Multi-Union Day
Launched our “Care Not Profits” campaign (http://www.carenotprofits.ca)

How Can You Make A Difference?

STEP 1 – Use your postal code to find your riding:
https://www.elections.on.ca/en/voting-in-ontario/electoral-districts.html

STEP 2 – Use this resource to select the MPP for your riding:
https://www.ola.org/en/members/current

STEP 3 – Send your MPP a meeting request. You can use our template.

STEP 4 – Demand your MPP help healthcare workers like you with policies like:

Permanent Pandemic Pay for all healthcare workers
Full-time jobs for all healthcare workers
Higher staffing levels in hospitals and long-term care
Better wages to help healthcare workers raise their families
Good pensions for economic security in retirement
Paid Sick Leave to keep workers and patients secure
Access to full-PPE and fines to employers who deny workers safe conditions
Respect and good jobs for hardworking homecare workers

MPP Sample Letter
Dear MPP________,

My name is ______________, I’m a constituent of ____________ , riding _________ and a __________ (occupation).

As your constituent, I would like to meet with you to discuss issues that matter to me as __________ (occupation) within our community.

During the pandemic, my colleagues and I have been overwhelmed. We have been exposed to and/or have contracted COVID-19. These are exceedingly difficult and challenging times for us on the frontlines and for those we care for.

A staggering number of healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19 across the province and along with multiple residents in long-term care and hospitals have become symptomatic or have died. Some of us are being deployed into the field and are provided only the basic minimum standards of appropriate PPE.

Some of the issues I would like to talk to you about are:

Permanent Pandemic Pay for all healthcare workers
Full-time jobs for all healthcare workers
Higher staffing levels in hospitals and long-term care
Better wages to help healthcare workers raise their families
Good pensions to economic security in retirement
Paid Sick Leave to keep workers and patients secure
Access to full-PPE and fines to employers who deny workers safe conditions
I would like to set up an appointment to talk to you via Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, or any other video conferencing apps that are accessible about some of these issues. I only need 20 minutes of your time. Please advise me when this meeting could take place.

Sincerely,

If you need any assistance contacting your MPP, call your Member Resource Centre at 1-877-672-7348. We’d also love to hear how your experience with your MPP goes. Let us know at communications@seiuhealthcare.ca