Health and social workers who are passionate about the outreach services they provide to residents of South Riverdale have sent an unmistakable signal that they are no longer prepared to tolerate the harmful effects of severe underfunding and understaffing at South Riverdale Community Health Centre, SRCHC.
On Tuesday, members of CUPE 5399, which represents over 120 health care workers at SRCHC, voted 92 % in favour of strike action if concrete measures are not taken to improve their ability to better serve the residents who rely on them.
If a deal is not reached this week, health services at SRCHC could be disrupted.
The centre is a cherished hub in the east-end community, where social workers, registered dietitians, physiotherapists, clerical, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and community health workers tirelessly provide essential health care and social and community outreach services to Toronto’s east-end residents.
“For too long, the vital healthcare services that we provide have been severely underfunded and understaffed,” said president of CUPE 5399 Debby Yuke. “Staff go above and beyond every day to deliver services despite severe and chronic understaffing. In return, we feel disrespected, under supported and overmanaged. We are so proud of the work we do to provide low barrier and comprehensive healthcare to a diverse client base in the east neighbourhoods of Toronto. This fight is about improving conditions and compensation for workers who deserve a fair contract so that we can do the work we are so passionate about, with a full staff, decent benefits and adequate wages.”
Yuke explained that CUPE 5399 uses contract negotiations as an opportunity to address the problems that are hurting clients and workers alike at SRCHC. But in this round of talks, representatives did not find a willing partner on the other side of the bargaining table.
“A recruitment and retention crisis in the health care sector is very acutely playing out at SRCHC. Our expectation is to reach a fair contract that reflects our priorities, and that allows South Riverdale workers to proceed with their work in dignity and respect. We need a wage and benefit increase that helps address the SRCHC staffing crisis, so that workers can more safely and effectively continue this important work.”
A survey by CUPE 5399 revealed that workers at SRCHC are struggling with skyrocketing costs: 65% struggle to pay their rent or mortgage, heating, car payments and student debt, and over half of their members have had to cut back on food costs in the last year. One in three SRCHC workers are working extra jobs to make ends meet.
Workers have one more day at the bargaining table with SRCHC this week and are hopeful they will reach a deal that will protect both services and workers at SRCHC. If no deal is reached, workers could begin job action by the end of October.