Thursday, September 17, 2020

Hundreds of ParaMed PSWs Vote to Join CLAC

Ninety-one percent voted to join Health Care and Service Workers Union, CLAC Local 304

Mississauga, ON—On September 15, 2020, personal support workers (PSWs) employed by ParaMed Home Health Care Services (ParaMed) in Oshawa and the surrounding region sent a strong message to their employer with a 91-percent vote to join Health Care and Service Workers Union, CLAC Local 304. Voting was overseen by the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

“We couldn’t be happier with the results, which came in spite of strong opposition from the employer through attempts to turn workers away from the union’s campaign,” says Kevin Gates, CLAC representative. “Now the hard work of negotiating a strong collective agreement for ParaMed PSWs begins.”

ParaMed PSWs will benefit from CLAC’s collaborative, partner-focussed approach to labour relations, which will be applied during the ratification of the group’s first collective agreement and in their continuing relationship with their employer.

The push for CLAC representation gained momentum in recent months as challenges in the home healthcare field mounted. Problems with understaffing, workplace safety, fair treatment, and fair pay have plagued homecare workers for some time. The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded these issues.

CLAC looks forward to representing the ParaMed PSWs in their relationship with their employer and advocating on their behalf for increased safety precautions, better treatment, and improved compensation.

Hundreds of ParaMed PSWs Vote to Join CLAC

You might be interested in