Front-line long-term care workers at the Chartwell Tiffin Retirement Residence in Midland have voted overwhelmingly to join OPSEU.
“Long-term care is one of the most important but underappreciated public services out there,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “The demands are huge and peoples’ lives are literally on the line.
“I’ve always believed the best way for workers to protect and strengthen the care they provide is by coming together in a strong union. I am delighted that these workers have decided OPSEU is the strong union for them.”
The Tiffin Retirement Residence was built in 2014 and taken over by Chartwell in 2016.
The staff provide a full range of services at this resort style seniors community. It has a total of 121 suites for independent and assisted living that overlooks Midland Bay in Tiffin Basin, Huronia.
The new OPSEU members there work as registered practical nurses, personal support workers, housekeepers, and kitchen staff. They join thousands of other OPSEU members who work in long-term care.
“Congratulations and welcome,” said Joan Corradetti, Chair of OPSEU’s Long-Term Care sector. “Working together, we’ll make sure all of the long-term care providers in the province – whether they’re publicly or privately owned – invest in the highest possible level of service and care.
“Our residents deserve to be treated with compassion and respect, but that’s impossible if the people caring for them are being exploited and overloaded.”