Heartbreaking situation in long term care was preventable

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We have all seen the incredible images of young families holding up babies to closed windows at long term care facilities, showing new grandchildren to residents under lockdown.

Older children hold up bristol board signs reading We love you, Grandma” as residents and family members press their hands to opposite sides the glass.

As heartwarming as these images are, there is a sadness to them because of the important emotional connection that is lost and so important to the health of long-term care residents.

Behind that glass is also a growing and heartbreaking tragedy as COVID-19 spreads through such facilities, where residents are especially vulnerable due to their age and underlying health conditions.

There are no centralized statistics on the number of COVID-19 cases in long term care, or the deaths, but according to reports in the media and Unifors own research at the facilities we represent, it is clear that COVID-19 is spreading at dozens of facilities, hundreds have become sick and the death toll keeps rising.

These numbers are increasing daily and rapidly. At the facility where my mother lived before she passed away five years ago, there have already been two deaths.

Anyone who has visited a loved one in such a facility knows how easily an infection can spread given the close quarters and shared living and dining spaces. The one my mother lived in was beautiful, and she received excellent care.

What you often dont see on a visit are the other underlying issues that make such facilities a perfect breeding ground for viruses.

Such facilities typically pay very badly, and keep many workers on part-time schedules, which exposes more people to the virus. The use of part time staff boosts the bottom lines for the homes, and helps them stay within their limited government funding.

Cuts to funding to pay for corporate tax cuts have forced the homes to look for ways to save money any way they can. They’ve used this argument to keep wage increases well below the rate of inflation for the last decade, forcing many workers out of the industry. Poor pay for critical work is a recipe for disaster.

You cant cut a billion dollars out of healthcare, as happened in Ontario following years of cuts by Conservative governments across Canada, without consequences.

The working conditions mean that staff must work at two, three or more homes to make ends meet. It is a perfect condition for staff to spread the virus from one facility to another as they run from one part-time job to the next. Nursing homes should be ordered to up-staff during this critical time, scheduling all casuals and part-time workers who are able, to work full-time hours in one home. The scope of this pandemic demands the very safest level of care.

There needs to be a real push for more full-time jobs in long term care facilities for the long term, and better pay for those doing the work. Unifor has called for a $3 and hour top up for personal support workers to attract those who left the industry to return during the pandemic, but we need to have a real conversation about working conditions over the long term.

It has been more than two years since Unifor launched its Six Minute Challenge, highlighting the challenges workers in long term care facilities face.

Such workers are given only six minutes per resident to get them ready for the day each morning. Our social media challenge was for people to see if they could get themselves ready in the morning – showered, shaved, hair combed, teeth brushed, clothes on, etc.– in just six minutes.

Few could do it. I couldnt, and yet workers in long term care are expected to do it every day with each of the 12 to 16 residents in their care. For the safety and the dignity of the residents, the workloads for long-term care workers must be addressed so they can provide the care that is needed.

As a union representing more than 30,000 health care workers, Unifor has pushed back against low wages, the preference for part-time jobs and the heavy workloads, and has called for greater government funding to address all these issues and more.

What is becoming increasingly evident in the pandemic, however, is that safe and decent working conditions for staff at long term care facilities are also safe and decent living conditions for the residents.

The two cannot be separated. Residents cant be safe if the workers arent.

 

Unifor members at Windsor distillery produce hand-sanitizer to combat spread of COVID-19

WINDSOR—Approximately 160 Unifor members working at Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery in Windsor have switched from producing alcohol to producing hand sanitizer as part of broadening efforts across the country to meet growing demand for supplies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am incredibly proud of our members at the Windsor distillery. This kind of community response to a global crisis is incredible to see,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Heroism comes in all forms. Make no mistake, these workers are heroes and are helping take care of people in their own backyard and provide people with an increasingly scarce resource.”

The facility has already produced roughly 5,000 litres of alcohol-based hand sanitizer much of which was donated to area hospitals, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes over the weekend, delivered by Unifor local presidents and volunteers from area locals including 194, 195, 200, 240, 444, 1959, 2027, and 2458.

“Everything went well. We’re proud to do it and happy to help,” said Steve Taylor, President of Unifor Local 2027 that represents workers at Hiram Walker. “These people are heroes that are in these long-term care homes right now doing what they’re doing and I just want to thank them for all the work they’re doing,” said John D’Agnolo, Unifor Local 200 President.

Workers at the distillery normally produce 180,000 litres of alcohol per day but plans are in place to ramp up production of hand sanitizer from 5,000 litres per week to more than 20,000 litres.

“Frontline healthcare workers in hospitals and long-term care facilities need to keep patients and residents safe and these efforts are helping make a substantive difference,” said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor’s Ontario Regional Director. “There are already reports of wide-spread shortages of vital equipment and supplies so having our members step up their efforts at work and get out in to their community to protect the vulnerable is amazing to see.”

 

1996-O member message, COVID-19

1996-O Executive Message

Sisters and Brothers of Local 1996-O.

As we move forward during the Novel COVID-19 Pandemic, This Executive continues to field hundreds of calls with regards to both your concerns and your rights. Our Executive and local Health and Safety Representatives are engaged in conference calls with both the company, Union and the Union BTS 5.06 REP, to both address your concerns as well as put in place proactive steps to assist you in doing your job safely. In addition, as new information and practices are released by the Company and Union, we will post this for you immediately and without delay.

You can stay informed easily by

Visiting the company INet

Visiting the Local Website          http://unifor1996-o.ca/

Following us on Twitter             @Unifor1996wire

Visit and signup on Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/UNIFOR1996O/

Ontario COVID 19 Website        https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus

 

 

We will together get through this with the help and support of each other. Each of this Executive are committed to ensure YOUR Physical and Mental health.

As difficult as times may seem at the moment, We, and our families will work as one unit throughout this challenge in Solidarity,

May you and your families be well and strong!

 

 

In Solidarity,

Lee   Brian   Sanjay  Chris

Executive
Local 1996-O

Unifor salutes workers for delivering Canadian customer service in a crisis

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March 27, 2020

OTTAWA – Unifor members at Bell Canada step up as shutdowns in offshore facilities combined with increased need for assistance cause a spike in calls to customer support agents.

“As millions of Canadians face sudden loss of income, Bell Canada has avoided layoffs and increased employment by bringing customer service calls back to Canada,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor members across the country are stepping into new roles and taking customer service calls, keeping Canadians connected.”

Several overseas call centres are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing customer service calls back to Canada. Since the closure of international call centres, Unifor members in several different certifications have retrained to take customer service calls at home.

“Unifor members are ready to serve business and residential clients through the crisis and in the future,” said Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director. “Telecom workers right here in Canada are more than capable of delivering the service that Bell customers expect when they need assistance.”

The union remains in constant communication with Bell Canada and all telecommunications employers on solutions to decrease risk and secure safe working conditions for members across the industry during the pandemic.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

Information about the union’s response to the pandemic, as well as resources for members can be found at unifor.org/COVID19.

Unifor commends Trudeau government for moving on more significant wage replacement plan

March 31, 2020

TORONTO – Following weeks of piecemeal announcements, Unifor commends the federal government for expanding eligibility of a 75 per cent wage subsidy to include large and small employers in Canada.

“We have said from day one that no worker should be forced to bear the economic cost of flattening the curve alone. We are completely united as a country in the efforts to slow this virus, and that must include taking care of workers who have lost their income or facing layoff,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Employer groups and unions were united in a call for this wage subsidy for Canada’s workers. Now, as employers await further details and guidance from the federal government, Unifor urges policymakers to follow through with responsible regulations for employers that receive this public benefit. This includes the continuation of benefit programs and pension contributions, limits on executive compensation and shareholder payments, and a commitment to remaining neutral during union certification drives.

“I hope that this is enough for large and small employers to do the right thing, work with the government to keep more of Canada’s workers on payroll, and ensure these public funds are used for the right reasons,” continued Dias. “We must work together to mitigate layoffs wherever possible, easing the burden on E.I. and continuing to deliver essential services.”

Unifor has produced this Fact Sheet on the CERB and has posted revised information about the union’s response to the pandemic, as well as resources for members at unifor.org/COVID19.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.