A petition signed by every OPSEU/SEFPO Local 332 retirement home worker at Kingsmere Retirement Living in Alliston, Ontario was delivered today to the headquarters of for-profit giant Sienna Senior Living, which owns Kingsmere. OPSEU/SEFPO represents PSWs, nurses and dietary workers at the retirement home.
The petition, demanding a $3/hour wage increase for every Local 332 member at Kingsmere, was delivered by Kirstie Byrne, Local 332 Unit Steward, and Sara Labelle, OPSEU/SEFPO Regional Vice President. At Kingsmere, dietary aides earn minimum wage, PSWs earn $19/hour, and nurses earn $24/hour. The living wage rate for Simcoe County is $20.70/hour.
“Sienna Senior Living can easily afford to pay their retirement home workers a living wage,” said Labelle. “They make millions by charging their residents thousands of dollars every month, and paying our members a pittance to care for them.”
Earlier this year, Kingsmere gave one dietary worker a $3/hour raise without consulting the union, and refused to do the same for other staff. OPSEU/SEFPO filed a complaint with the Labour Board, demanding that all Kingsmere staff receive a $3/hour raise immediately. The mediation date is October 16.
“Every member in our local is angry that management is picking and choosing who to pay fairly,” said Byrne. “We want everyone to be paid fairly, especially during this cost-of-living crisis. That’s why we went to the Labour Board and that’s why every member signed this petition. A $3/hour raise for everyone would bring most of us up to a living wage, and bring our nurses closer to what they would be paid at the nearest hospital.”
On their mediation date, October 16, at 10 a.m., Local 332 will be holding a rally outside of Kingsmere Retirement Living in Alliston, demanding a living wage for all retirement home workers. Click here for details about the rally.
“We’re not stopping at this petition,” added Byrne. “Our members are holding a rally on October 16 at Kingsmere with our friends from the labour movement and the community to let Sienna and Kingsmere know that retirement workers deserve a living wage. Everyone is welcome, so please join us!”
