Hamilton - Seniors and other people who require home care in Hamilton, Brant and Niagara could lose their services as of March 4 if SEN Community Health Care goes ahead with plans to lock out support staff.
The workers, members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 4800, arrange about 10,000 visits by St. Elizabeth Nurses in Hamilton alone every month. They also co-ordinate services such as the volunteer driver program.
Negotiations for a new collective agreement halted when SEN Community Health Care, a member of St. Joseph’s Health System, requested a “no board” report that would allow them to lock out the 15 full-time and 22 part-time staff on March 4. The organization is demanding a $2 per hour wage rollback. The predominantly female group of workers earns an average of $15 per hour.
“This demand from the employer is simply unspeakable,” said CUPE Local 4800 President Mike Walters. “They are picking on the most vulnerable members of our community, demanding a wage cut from a group of workers who are already low paid and threatening services that allow Hamilton-area seniors to receive care in their own homes.”
CUPE Local 4800 will hold an information meeting for members at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, February 19, at The Hillcrest, corner of Concession and Upper Wentworth.
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For more information, contact:
Mike Walters, President CUPE Local 4800
905-385-4555
Tom Baker, CUPE National Rep.
905-575-5411
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications Rep.
416-616-6142 (cell)
The workers, members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 4800, arrange about 10,000 visits by St. Elizabeth Nurses in Hamilton alone every month. They also co-ordinate services such as the volunteer driver program.
Negotiations for a new collective agreement halted when SEN Community Health Care, a member of St. Joseph’s Health System, requested a “no board” report that would allow them to lock out the 15 full-time and 22 part-time staff on March 4. The organization is demanding a $2 per hour wage rollback. The predominantly female group of workers earns an average of $15 per hour.
“This demand from the employer is simply unspeakable,” said CUPE Local 4800 President Mike Walters. “They are picking on the most vulnerable members of our community, demanding a wage cut from a group of workers who are already low paid and threatening services that allow Hamilton-area seniors to receive care in their own homes.”
CUPE Local 4800 will hold an information meeting for members at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, February 19, at The Hillcrest, corner of Concession and Upper Wentworth.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Mike Walters, President CUPE Local 4800
905-385-4555
Tom Baker, CUPE National Rep.
905-575-5411
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications Rep.
416-616-6142 (cell)