Toronto, March 19, 2024 /CNW/ – Ahead of impending strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. Friday, March 22ndRegent Park Community Health Center (RPCHC) workers rallied Tuesday with scores of community members and allies to demand a fair deal for staff and the patients they serve.
These workers, members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 5115, provide critical support to the people of Regent Park and surrounding areas, including lifesaving overdose prevention programs, low-barrier support for addiction and homelessness, primary health care, and more. services and programs under one roof. .
“The impact that local health workers have on their communities is immeasurable. Regent Park community health workers provide critical and sometimes life-saving services within their communities.” Toronto community. OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornig said: “They support many vulnerable patients, including those on low and middle incomes, who are racially discriminated against and often in precarious positions. “employers have enough money to reward them with raises, but they refuse to provide fair wages.” And workers' profits also increase. That's embarrassing. ”
After four months of negotiations, negotiations broke down when the employer refused to negotiate a deal that put patients and workers first. But 30 years after benefits were frozen, workers are taking a stand for better wages and benefits, as well as healthy and psychologically safe working environments.
“Community health workers save lives. They support patients in fundamental life-or-death situations,” said OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice President and Treasurer. Laurie Nancequibel. “Their fight is not just for better pay, but for the quality of patient care and the health of our communities. These workers deserve respect, and OPSEU/SEFPO will stand with them until they get it.” I will fight.”
OPSEU/SEFPO Local 5115 Local President Kirsty Millwood He said it's not too late for employers to avoid strikes by coming to the negotiating table with agreements that include fair and competitive pay.
“We provide a vital service to the Regent Park community, but we are facing a recruitment and retention crisis. Without fair pay and healthy working conditions, the patient care crisis will only get worse.” “Yes,” Millwood said. “We want to continue contributing to our communities, but many workers cannot afford to live in the cities we work in. We want to work with our employers to do the right thing. is needed.”
Local 5115 is part of the OPSEU/SEFPO Community Health Professionals Division, representing more than 4,000 community health professionals nationwide. Ontario.
Source Ontario Public Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)
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