When the community health professionals working at Toronto’s Inner City Family Health Team (ICHT) voted to join OPSEU/SEFPO, the results were an overwhelming yes.
“Congratulations and welcome to our union – you’ve joined at a very exciting time,” said OPSEU/SEFPO president JP Hornick. “We’re now more than 180,000 strong, and we’re committed to using all of our strength and solidarity to ensure you have everything you need to provide the best possible care.”
“Your communities depend on you. Now you can depend on OPSEU/SEFPO.”
The ICHT staff, who work at two locations in the east and west ends of Toronto, are just the latest group of community health professionals to join OPSEU/SEFPO.
Family Health Teams are primary health care organizations that include a team of family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, dietitians, and other professionals who work together to provide primary health care for their community. They ensure that people receive the care they need in their communities, as each team is set-up based on local health and community needs.
In March, the staff at all five locations of the Upper Canada Family Health Team in and around Brockville voted to join OPSEU/SEFPO, joining stream of community and hospital health care workers and professionals who are deciding to join.
“The pandemic taught us a lot of things – one of the most important things we’ve learned is just how vitally important all front-line health care are,” said Lucy Morton, chair of the OPSEU/SEFPO Community Health Care Division. “We make sure people get the care they need. Not only that, we have lots of ideas on how to improve the care we provided.
“Joining a strong union like OPSEU/SEFPO means our new members at Inner City have the strong voice they need to have their ideas heard.”