CUPE members take action to demand a fair deal from Extendicare

Sudbury, ON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE 1182, one of 8 CUPE locals participating in the Extendicare Central Table bargaining held a rally in Sudbury today. The union representing workers at Extendicare York in Sudbury is calling attention to the ongoing delays at the bargain table. This coordinated bargaining has set the pattern for long-term care wages and benefits in Ontario. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, helping to improve the conditions for workers in long-term care and retirement homes across the province.

Talks have been stalled since June 29, 2026. This stall is beginning to have ripple effects across the sector, with some employers declining to begin bargaining until the Extendicare Central Table is resolved. Unlike other sectors, health care workers do not have the right to strike in Ontario. Instead, they are subject to the Hospital Labour Relations Dispute Arbitration Act (HLDAA), which imposes Interest Arbitration when the parties are unable to reach a negotiated agreement. The arbitration awards of previous negotiations are often used as a guiding principle for arbitrators when considering their current cases. This process has created a significant backlog in the long-term care sector, with some employers negotiating agreements that expire before they are even signed.

“Our negotiations set the standard for Long-Term Care workers across the province,” said Sheena Bracken, President of CUPE 1182. “We’re here today shine a light on this situation. Long-Term Care workers shouldn’t have to wait for a fair deal.”

The union will continue to put pressure on the employer until this negotiation is resolved. “We would prefer to have the employer come back with a reasonable offer and negotiate in good faith,” said Bracken. “Until then, we will do everything we can to remind the employer that we deserve better.”

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