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“We're exhausted, but the residents are counting on us.” - CUPE 4599 to hold information picket ahead of contract negotiations at Kensington Medical Center in Toronto

Toronto--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The workers of CUPE 4599 provide quality care for the residents of Kensington Health Long-Term Care and Hospice in Toronto’s Kensington Market. The work is physically and psychologically demanding, but the workers show up every day to provide care for some of the most vulnerable members of the community because, they care. High workload, coupled with high stress and low pay has caused turnover at the home to skyrocket. With contract negotiations underway, the local is taking to the streets to call on the community to help them fight for better working conditions. At 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 12, members of the local will hold and information picket calling on the community to support them.

“Our members are tired,” said Frank O’Malley, President of CUPE 4599. “Turnover is high because we don’t get a chance to rest.”

The biggest concerns for the union going into negotiations are vacation quotas that prevent staff from being able to take time off, and a lack of long-term disability benefits to help take care of staff when they get sick or injured on the job.

“We also are fighting for disability accommodations for staff members with permanent injuries and medical conditions who want to continue working,” added O’Malley. “Our previous management valued the skills of these, often long-term employees, and found meaningful work for them to the benefit of our residents, but our new management has no use for them.”

Members of the local will be picketing from 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. outside the Kensington Health Center in Kensington Market. A media Spokesperson will be available for comment.

Who:

The members of CUPE 4599

What:

Care Beyond the Shift: Picket to support CUPE 4599

Where:

Kensington Health Long-Term Care and Hospice, 25 Brunswick Ave. Toronto, ON

M5S 2L9

When:

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Time:

2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

:js/cope491

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

William Chalupiak
CUPE Communications Representative
416-707-1401, wchalupiak@cupe.ca

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

William Chalupiak
CUPE Communications Representative
416-707-1401, wchalupiak@cupe.ca

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