Union Warns that Homecare Agency CarePartners' Working Conditions are "Stuck in the Past"

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Jan. 28, 2019 /CNW/ - Personal support workers (PSWs) employed by CarePartners are participating in a campaign launched by the union that represents them, SEIU Healthcare, to speak out about their below industry standard working conditions.  

CarePartners is a private company that provides supportive care in the homes, clinics, and workplaces of patients in need of their services in Ontario.

Homecare is considered the future of the healthcare system, yet this employer is not meeting the needs of its workers today. CarePartners is noticeably Stuck in the Past. This campaign, which highlights how this organization has failed to care for its frontline staff, launched on billboards and bus shelters, as well as digitally, across the province on January 28, 2019.

"PSWs help people in our communities live with a sense of dignity and respect. These frontline homecare workers deserve to have a career they can be proud of," said SEIU Healthcare President Sharleen Stewart. "Our union demands better from this employer and we are striving to improve the working lives of our PSWs."

While PSWs are passionate about caring for others' health, they have zero paid sick days to protect their own wellness. These PSWs receive inadequate mileage compensation, little time to travel between clients, and have their shifts cancelled on short notice. Furthermore, their employer does not provide them with any retirement security options.

CarePartners demonstrates little regard for the safety and well-being of their staff. On the job, PSWs experience numerous traumas, including bullying, harassment, second-hand smoke, dog bites, and exposure to bug infestations.

This employer experiences high turnover rates that frequently leads to shortages of frontline healthcare workers. As well, CarePartners' poor communication processes mean that PSWs do not always receive critical information about their clients. These factors could be negatively affecting patient care.

"Stuck in the Past" urges people to contact their MPPs and the CEO of CarePartners, Linda Knight, to let them know that PSWs deserve more respect. More information can be found at www.stuckinthepast.ca.

ABOUT SEIU HEALTHCARE
SEIU Healthcare represents more than 60,000 healthcare and community service workers across Ontario. The union's members work in hospitals, homecare, nursing and retirement homes, and community services throughout the province. SEIU Healthcare has a strong track record of improving wages, benefits, and working conditions for healthcare workers, supporting the training and development needs of its members, and strengthening standards in the management and delivery of patient and client care. www.seiuhealthcare.ca.

SOURCE SEIU Healthcare