Long term care workers at Eastholme welcome collective agreement

CUPE Local 1339
News Release

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Powassan, Ont. – Long-term care workers at the Eastholme Home for the Aged, in Powassan, were pleased to finally have an up-to-date collective agreement, after their memorandum of settlement was ratified by management of the home on April 21, 2011. The workers’ last collective agreement had expired in December, 2008.

“Our members waited anxiously for the results of the freely negotiated collective agreement, following a long, and difficult negotiation process,” said Amanda Farrow, president of Local 1339 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). “The task was made more difficult with the provincial government’s push to download the cost of provincial deficits and tax cuts on the bargaining table.”

The collective agreement includes wage increases of 3 per cent for 2009, 2 per cent for 2010, and 2.5 per cent for 2011.

“My members have been without a contract since December, 2008, and they’ve felt tired and burdened with the rising cost of living, especially with inflation being accelerated by the introduction of the HST and rising energy prices,” said Farrow. “Gaining a new collective agreement is a small victory for workers who dedicate themselves every day to ensure the needs of residents are met, and they are well taken care of.”

Last fall the workers hosted a rally for 3.5 hours of standard care, to raise awareness of the provincial government’s failure to make good on a promise from 2003. “A minimum care standard of 3.5 hours of hands-on care per resident isn’t too much to ask,” said Farrow. “Seniors have worked their entire lives building our communities with their blood, sweat and tears. As caregivers, we struggle to maintain the highest level of care, and we will continue our struggle to improve the public services we deliver and value for our community.”

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