By Zaid Noorsumar Last month, Rankandfile.ca exposed extensive connections between Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives and the for-profit lobbying group, the Ontario Long-Term Care Association (OLTCA). Amidst growing public anger against the for-profit long-term care homes, a recent Huffington Post news report further highlights the ugly nexus between the for-profit long-term care industry, the Ford Continue readingOntario PCs aren’t alone: Exposing Liberal ties with corporate long-term care lobby
covid19
By Hanna Wallace and Billy May Similar to the community care movement that has sprung up during the COVID-19 pandemic, the workers at Lifestyle Markets decided to organize a union drive out of a sense of care and respect for our fellow workers. Lifestyle Markets has three locations on Vancouver Island. The first and largest Continue readingVancouver Island grocery workers go union and fight for hazard pay
Jim Brophy, occupational health expert, says guidelines are not based on scientific evidence By Zaid Noorsumar Gloria Turney, is incensed at the death of her fellow union member and home care worker, Arlene Reid. Reid, aged 51, tragically died a few days after contracting COVID-19. Her primary job was as a home care worker for Continue readingOntario PPE guidelines based on supply, not protecting workers
By John McCracken The largest and one of the deadliest outbreaks of Covid-19 in a long-term care (LTC) facility in Canada is raising serious questions about how Nova Scotia’s government has handled the crisis – and whether ignoring early warnings from frontline workers and their unions had deadly consequences. The Northwood Centre in Halifax is Continue readingNS authorities ignored early warnings from long-term care workers and unions
By Zaid Noorsumar The recent announcement by the Ford government to provide an additional $4 per hour for 16 weeks has been welcomed by home care workers, but they also say the sector needs fundamental transformation. “It’s a nice little bonus, but it’s not going to come anywhere close to fixing home care,” says Tammy Continue readingPandemic pay doesn’t cut it for Ontario’s home care workers
By Zaid Noorsumar The Ontario Health Coalition is holding an online Day of Action today, May 1, to demand the Ontario PC government and Premier Doug Ford fix long-term care. The hashtag #FixLTCFord is being used by the Coalition and its supporters on Twitter and other social media platforms. In addition to demanding the elimination Continue readingDemands grow louder in Ontario to end for-profit nursing homes
Letter from a grocery store worker By Achilles* Ever since it broke out, the COVID-19 pandemic took over the world. It disrupted and pushed lives of many into a state of uncertainty. But for essential workers, the show must go on. I work at one of the grocery stores in Kingston, Ontario, owned by a Continue readingGrocery workers want better pay, not “heroes” label
By Doug Nesbitt The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is now law and the program will last three months retroactive to March 15. The legislation passed at a sitting of parliament on April 11. It is the single biggest trickle-down economics program in Canadian history. All private businesses, as well as charities and NGOs, are Continue readingThe Business Wage Subsidy: Trickle-Down Economics on Steroids
By Zaid Noorsumar On March 27, the Ontario government announced an emergency order making “sweeping changes” to staffing, training, and reporting requirements in the province’s long-term care homes. The order was issued in response to COVID-19’s disastrous impact in the sector. As of April 1, 29 deaths in Ontario nursing homes have been linked to Continue readingParty of Profits: Ontario Tories and the profit motive in long-term care
By Nora Loreto Justin Trudeau announced his government’s most significant aid package for Canadians workers on Friday. The Liberals will subsidize wages by 75% to convince employers to stop layoffs during the coronavirus pandemic. The measure will be available to all businesses, and eligibility criteria are slowly being released. The decision increases his previous promise Continue readingWage subsidy plan is full of big problems
By Zaid Noorsumar The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) introduced this week by the Liberal government is a vast improvement over the beleaguered Employment Insurance system but still excludes many people. The CERB applications are expected to be available online on April 6 with payments to be issued within 10 days. Recipients will be paid Continue readingHoles in the safety net: CERB and EI coverage falls short
By Doug Nesbitt Postal workers across the country are pressing Canada Post management to clean up its act. COVID-19 infections among postal workers have already led to the suspension of mail delivery in Newfoundland and most recently the closure of a mail depot in North Bay, Ontario. In Edmonton, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers Continue readingHow Edmonton posties are fighting for health and safety