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Long Term Care
News and information about our long-term care sector
Better Choice: let’s start talking about the Federal election
The country’s slow economic recovery has left 2.8 million Canadians unemployed or underemployed. Nearly three quarters of the jobs created in the past six years have been precarious (part-time, temporary or in the self-employed sector). With limited job prospects, household debt is at an all-time high.
Soon, you will get to choose how we overcome these challenges.
There is a better choice. One that gets us ready to support and care for our aging population. One that gives Canadians high-quality, secure jobs instead of short-term, temporary positions. One that provides programs that benefit everyone—instead of tax relief programs that benefit a select few.
We believe there is a better choice for you and the economy.
What will you choose?
Visit the campaign betterchoice.ca to learn more!
Manitoba budget supports health care. What it means for CUPE members
The Manitoba Government’s 2015 provincial budget was released on April 30th.
Throughout this week we will be featuring a number of key CUPE sectors and how the budget affects members within that sector.
What is the provincial budget?
The provincial budget is the implementation of the government’s vision for the next year, as well as commitments to long-term and short-term investments.
Being part of a national union, CUPE members in Manitoba know that the cuts made in other provinces are not happening here. The Manitoba NDP has committed to supporting the services that Manitobans rely on.
CUPE members work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community clinics across Manitoba.
But what does the 2015 provincial budget mean to CUPE members in Manitoba?
The Manitoba budget commits to ensuring that there are no cuts to front-line health services that Manitobans rely on. Other jurisdictions like Saskatchewan are privatizing some health care services, and places like Alberta are cutting funding outright..
“While some have called for reckless cuts to front-line services and a halt to building of critical infrastructure, we have chosen a different path” said Finance Minister Greg Dewar.
CUPE Manitoba is pleased that the province continues to push the Federal government to restore funding to the Health Accord – a national campaign of CUPE and the Council of Canadians.
The budget documents recognize that “due to another unilateral decision, the federal government’s contribution to health care in Canada will be reduced by about $26 million … it will come at the expense of provinces and territories”.
In 2014 CUPE health care members rallied outside the offices of conservative MPs in Winnipeg calling on the restoration of this funding.
While there is still work to do to fight for better wages and a stronger health care system, the Manitoba budget is building on – rather than eroding – health care in the province.
Long Term Care
The government is increasing funding to Long-Term Care services by 10.7%, or $62.3 million in new funding. A significant increase to help improve long term care in the province. However CUPE will continue to work with the government to ensure that this funding goes towards improved staffing. CUPE Manitoba and the Private Personal Care Home Committee (PPCH) recently met with the Minister of Health to discuss concerns around staffing.
CUPE will continue to work with the provincial government to end the practice of “working short” in long term care facilities, particularly privately operated personal care homes.
Stay tuned for “Manitoba budget supports childcare and social services. What it means for CUPE members”
Provincial budget reflects needs of Manitobans, invests in services.
The Manitoba Government’s 2015 provincial budget was released on April 30th, and reflects the NDP’s commitment to working families across the province.
“Our NDP government is a strong steward of the economy” says Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba. “Manitobans want government to invest in core services and infrastructure, and that is exactly what this government is doing”.
The provincial budget is the implementation of the government’s vision for the next year, as well as commitments to long-term and short-term investments.
“Being part of a national union, CUPE members in Manitoba know that other governments have recently implemented deep cuts to government services which particularly impact society’s most vulnerable people” said Moist. “The Manitoba NDP has committed to supporting the services that Manitobans rely on”.
Of particular note are the unprecedented investments in infrastructure that will create jobs, stimulate the economy, raise wages across the province, improve road safety, protect Manitobans against floods, and improve other aspects of our provincial infrastructure.
The budget announced continued investments in childcare spaces in Manitoba, significant funding increases for acute health care and long-term care, as well as increased funding to education and post-secondary education.
The province made good on a commitment to eliminate interest on Manitoba student loans, making post-secondary education more accessible, and once again increases the minimum wage.
Additionally, the province has acted on recommendations from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ “View from Here”, endorsed by CUPE Manitoba, enhancing Rent Assist by $22 million to move it to 75% of median market rent.
“We are pleased that this government chooses to invest in the community, from infrastructure to childcare” said Moist. “This government understands the value of a diverse economy that supports families as well as economic growth”.
CUPE Manitoba represents approximately 25,000 public sector workers in health care, municipalities, school divisions, energy, airlines, social services and childcare, post-secondary education, and more.
Federal budget rewards the rich but fails every day Canadians
via CUPE.ca
Ottawa, ON – The Conservative’s 2015 federal budget may balance the books, but it is highly unbalanced in its impact on Canadians. It puts millions of seniors at risk of poverty, abandons families in need of affordable child care and quality public health care, and doesn’t help Canadians workers who need better jobs, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“The Conservatives have chosen irresponsible economic policies that slash revenues to benefit a few corporations and the wealthy,” says Paul Moist, national president of CUPE, Canada’s largest union. “This budget does far more harm than good in addressing the gap between workers and the richest Canadians. With this budget, that gap will only continue to grow.”
Maintaining unreasonably low corporate taxes, income splitting, tax credits for wealthy families like the expanded TFSA’s provide no help for every day Canadians. These measures recklessly slash federal revenues that will mean more cuts to public services that Canadians depend on.
“Expanding TFSA does almost nothing to help the over 11 million Canadians without a work place pension. Instead of expanding the Canada Pension Plan – widely seen as the most effective, efficient and affordable way to keep seniors out of poverty – the Conservatives only offer another tax shelter for the rich,” says Moist. “The lost revenues from expanding TFSA’s – at least $1 billion over the next five years – will only mean more pressure on OAS/GIS. This budget is an unqualified failure for the vast majority of Canadian seniors.”
Canadian families struggling to find affordable child care are also left without any help.
“Families are spending more on child care than on housing – up to $2000 a month. This means the tax credit being offered up by Conservatives will barely cover one month. And that will be for only handful of families; most won’t get a dime,” says Moist.
The Conservatives lack of leadership on child care is even more pronounced in health care. Despite long waiting lists, five million Canadians without a family doctor, and skyrocketing prescription drug prices, the 2015 federal budget confirms Conservatives are cutting more than $36 billion from health care.
“We need strong federal leadership to strengthen our public health care system,” says Moist. “Our public health care is coming apart at the seams, and Conservatives simply shrug their shoulders hoping someone else will take care of it.”
CUPE is urging the Official Opposition to move budget amendments that will help create quality jobs, make urgent investments in public health care and child care, expand the CPP, and introduce measures that protect valued public services.
“This budget is clearly taking our country in the wrong direction. It fails workers, families, seniors, students, Indigenous peoples and the environment,” says Moist. “The only bright side is that with our pending federal election, this will be the Conservatives last budget. Next budget, we’ll be able to start repairing the damage done. It’s time for a change.”
CUPE’s complete analysis of the 2015 federal budget will be available on cupe.ca.
For more information:
Greg Taylor
CUPE Media Relations
613 818-0067
gtaylor@cupe.ca
Tuxedo Villa workers on second day of info pickets, questions arise about state of privately owned long-term care in Manitoba
Something is rotten in the state of Manitoba’s long-term care.
Over the past year, hundreds of Manitoba’s long-term care workers have been pushed to take labour action in an attempt to achieve fair wages and safe working conditions.
Maples Personal Care Home (July, 2013), Lions Housing Personal Care Home (August, 2013), Vista Park Lodge (September, 2013), Hillcrest Place (March, 2014), and Tuxedo Villa (July, 2014) have all voted to strike within the past year.
Vista Park Lodge workers, represented by UFCW Local 832 were on legal strike for nearly two months before achieving an offer that was even remotely acceptable. Most of the other facilities noted above (represented by CUPE) have engaged in public info pickets outside their personal care homes in an effort to raise awareness to their cause. In October of 2013, hundreds of personal care home workers from across Manitoba gathered at the steps of the legislature in a large rally, calling on the province for help.
Their concerns are quite straight forward: they want fair wages, and they want adequate staffing levels.
But why is it that staff in so many personal care homes are taking this type of labour action? It’s not often that so many workers from an entire sector, in so many different facilities actually feel the need to strap on their boots and picket outside their places of employment. It is also no coincidence that Maples, Vista Park Lodge, Hillcrest, and Tuxedo Villa are all privately operated personal care homes, owned by Rivera and Extendicare, where the push to keep wages low is driven by the profit motive.
Most long-term care workers are women, middle aged, and many are newcomers to Canada – they are surviving paycheque to paycheque, and have family responsibilities to consider. But still they take the risk of standing up to their employers, and demanding fairness. These workers do everything to provide the best level of care possible to Manitobans who are residents of personal care homes. They are passionate about residents, and strive to give all they can to ensure the health and happiness of our elders.
All of these information pickets indicate that there is something wrong with the state of long-term care in Manitoba, particularly in the private sector. Whether it is unfair wages, or the issue of working short-staffed, the public needs to support these workers in their efforts to make working conditions in personal care homes better. This in turn will ensure that our elders receive the quality and level of care that they deserve.
Please join employees of Tuxedo Villa, CUPE Local 2180, in their second day of info pickets today, August 13.
When: 2pm –4:30pm
Where: Tuxedo Villa, 2060 Corydon ave.
Contact David Jacks at the CUPE Regional Office at (204) 942-0343 for more information.
Photos:
CUPE Local 2180 Info Pickets: Unite for Fairness!
Please join members of CUPE Local 2180 (Tuxedo Villa Personal Care Home) in their second info picket, calling for fair wages and respect in their workplace.
Members held a very successful picket on August 6th, including an appearance from Paul Moist, CUPE National President, Kelly Moist, CUPE Manitoba President, and Jack Rodie, CUPE Manitoba President from 1965 – 1981.
More details on CUPE 2180’s bargaining position can be found here.
You are invited to support this week’s picket! All locals, unions, and supporters are welcome to join us!
Wednesday August 13th
2:00pm – 4:30 pm
Tuxedo Villa, 2060 Corydon
Tuxedo Villa Employees Hold Info Pickets, Demand Fair Wages
Winnipeg – Employees at Tuxedo Villa Personal Care Home rejected their employer’s final offer in a vote held on July 8, 2014, and will be holding information pickets outside their facility today in an effort to bring their employer back to the table with a fair offer.
“Anyone who has a loved one in a personal care home understands the value of the facility’s staff” states CUPE National Representative Laurissa Smerchanski-Sims, “unfortunately Tuxedo Villa doesn’t understand this value and refuses to offer fair or reasonable wages for employees”.
Represented by CUPE Local 2180, employees at Tuxedo Villa Personal Care Home are health care aides, dietary aides, laundry and housekeeping aides, cooks, recreation workers, and custodial staff.
“Our members care very deeply for the residents at Tuxedo Villa” states Smerchanski-Sims, “but staff do not feel like they are receiving fair compensation for the work they do”.
Meetings with a Conciliation Officer are scheduled for August 19th and 20th to attempt to reach a fair deal, but public support is very important to staff.
“We know that the public values the work of personal care home staff” says Smerchanski-Sims, “we are asking for the public’s support to help us achieve a fair deal for these workers”.
Information pickets will take place outside Tuxedo Villa at 2060 Corydon Avenue today from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Information pickets are also scheduled for August 13th and August 18th.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees represents approximately 25,000 public sector workers in the Province of Manitoba, in health care, education, crown corporations, airlines, social services and childcare, and municipalities.
Manitoba Long-Term Care Workers Rally for Better Quality Care
Winnipeg – Long-term care workers in Manitoba are rallying at the Manitoba Legislature between 12:00 and 1:00pm on Tuesday, October 29th calling on the provincial and federal governments to improve the quality and standard of care in personal care homes.
“Our members are dedicated and hard-working health care support workers” states Kelly Moist, President of CUPE Manitoba “we are taking action to ensure the best level of care possible for our elders”.
The rally is calling for action against “working short” – when the employer does not replace or backfill staff. The rally is also calling for the federal government to increase health transfers to the provinces, and establish a national continuing care program, with minimum staffing standards.
“Because of inadequate staffing, we are often forced to take on additional duties, doing the work of two or more people” states Daniel Richards, Secretary Treasurer of CUPE Local 3729 at Lions Housing Personal Care Home “this impacts both our own health and safety, and the safety of residents”.
What: Rally for Better Long-Term Care
Who: Manitoba long-term care workers
Where: Manitoba Legislature (front steps)
When: Tuesday, October 29, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Speakers at the rally include Kelly Moist, CUPE Manitoba President, Michelle Gawronsky, MGEU President, Kevin Rebeck, Manitoba Federation of Labour, Daniel Richards, Secretary Treasurer CUPE Local 3729, Paul Moist, President of CUPE (National), and Lynn Fernandez, Errol Black Chair in Labour Issues, CCPA.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees represents 25,000 members in Manitoba, including thousands of private and public long-term care employees.