Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

SAULT STE-MARIE Ont. – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is calling on management at F.J. Davey Home nursing home to stop cutting frontline services, after learning management is planning cutbacks and layoffs because of budget problems.

Management is targeting frontline caregivers when we’re already stretched to the limit,” said Rebecca McLeish, CUPE 4685 president. “They are also violating our collective agreement and causing chaos at the home by flouting seniority provisions and due process in cutting hours.” CUPE has filed grievances over the proposed cuts and the way management is proceeding. The union is also planning information pickets and protests to fight the cuts and lobby the provincial government for improved funding.

It’s time someone took a look at management at this home,” said McLeish. “They’re quite top-heavy and that would be a good place to find savings – not in frontline care, where residents will feel the impact so much more.” CUPE represents 387 long-term care workers at the home, including health care aides, RPNs, housekeeping and environmental services, cooks and maintenance staff.

It’s shameful for management to make cuts in the services our residents rely on for their quality of life,” said McLeish. “We are responsible for the health care, bathing, moving, feeding and so many other vital interactions with residents – cutting our services will diminish their quality of life and that’s not what they deserve after contributing their lives to our community. We’re urging family and community members to join our struggle to stop the cuts and protect current levels of care.”

There’s not much difference between Dalton McGuinty and Mike Harris or Ernie Eves, if our seniors’ care is still inadequately funded,” said McLeish. “The recent provincial budget didn’t do anything to alleviate the long-term care funding crunch – it’s time for politicians to remember that they may one day find themselves in a nursing home, wishing they had implemented better funding to improve care when they were in office.”

-30-

For further information, please contact:

Rebecca McLeish, CUPE 4685 spokesperson, 705-946-6223

Christine Bird, CUPE National Representative , 705-949-6221

Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications, 416-292-3999