“Three paid sick days not enough,” say low-paid Chartwell Waterford front-line residential care staff advocating for better resident care: Media conference/rally in Oakville Tuesday December 10

OAKVILLE, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Working while ill is never a good idea. But with only three paid sick days a year that is the unfortunate reality for personal support workers, registered practical nurses (RPNs), dietary aides, housekeepers and other workers working at Chartwell Waterford Retirement Residence in Oakville.

Research shows that in residential health care settings, paid sick days reduce infection risks among residents and staff.

“Simply put, more paid sick days will benefit the wellbeing of both Chartwell Waterford residents and staff. That’s why we are determined to get Chartwell, one of the biggest companies in residential care to understand that more paid sick days will improve resident care,” says Karen Shimoda president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1404.

CUPE 1404 will be holding a media conference and community rally on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10 a.m. outside the Chartwell Waterford Retirement Residence, 2160 Baronwood Dr., Oakville. Michael Hurley, president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE) will join Ms. Shimoda and front-line staff from Chartwell Waterford at Tuesday’s media conference.

In Ontario, the growth of retirement homes in the last decade has been significant. Generally, retirement home staff have lower wages and benefits than staff working in long-term care. “But even by the low wage and benefit standards in the retirement home sector, the staff at Chartwell Waterford are at the bottom of the pack in both wages and paid sick days,” says Hurley.

Resident revenue for Chartwell Retirement Residences increased by 14.6% for the 2024 3^rd quarter. Profit margins were 11%. “That profit is made by exploiting these women who are among the hardest working in the health care sector and who could earn much more by moving to work at a hospital or long-term care facility, but who stay out of loyalty to the residents. We will push Chartwell to meet its obligations to its staff,” says Hurley

In addition to the fact that care staff at Chartwell Waterford are only provided three paid sick days a year they are also among the lowest paid working at comparable retirement residences. This includes staff at other Chartwell retirement residences who earn between $1 to $4 more doing similar work.

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