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WOODSTOCK, ON, May 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Workers at Caressant Care Nursing Homes in southwestern Ontario will be holding a rally Thursday in Woodstock to make the public aware of their concerns in contract talks with the chain of homes.
"These people care for our parents and grandparents in their time of need. They deserve to be treated decently," said Jerry Dias, National President of Unifor, which represents workers at the homes.
Dias will be at the rally on Thursday, taking place outside the Caressant Care head offices at 264 Norwich Avenue in Woodstock from 11am to 1pm.
Unifor represents about 360 registered practical nurses, personal support workers, housekeeping and laundry aides and activities personnel at Caressant Care homes in Courtland, Woodstock, Harriston and St. Thomas. All are currently in contract talks, except St Thomas. The contract there expires in September.
The company has told the workers it will not agree to a pay raise during the life of the next contract. Their last contract, imposed by an arbitrator, also contained no wage improvements.
"These workers have not had a raise in three years, and almost all of them are part time," said Robert Buchanan, a Unifor National Representative.
"It is not only difficult to survive on part-time hours, but tough to build a relationship with the residents to better understand their unique needs," Buchanan said, adding most work two or three jobs to make ends meet.
Buchanan hopes Thursday's rally will make the public and families of the residents aware of what is happening.
- What: Lunchtime rally
- Who: Caressant Care staff and supporters
- When: Thursday, May 29, 11am to 1pm
- Where: Caressant Care Head Office, 264 Norwich Avenue, Woodstock
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers, including more than 26,000 in health a social services. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.
SOURCE Unifor
