Contract bargaining between members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 Canada and the Red Cross have broken down after weeks of negotiation.
"At this point the Red Cross has no intention of giving a fair contract," says SEIU's Chief Negotiator, Cathy Carroll.
"The employer is offering insufficient compensation for the value of work, skill and contribution that Home Care workers provide their clients and the Ontario health care system. The Red Cross's proposal - from an organization viewed by the public as flag bearer of compassion - not only denies their home care workers a fair wage, it denies them the kind of dignity that you think the Red Cross would be the champion of."
Despite the assistance of a conciliation officer from the Ministry of Labour, the SEIU home care negotiating team was forced to reject the Red Cross's latest proposal, citing the employer's unwillingness to address compensation for travel time, offer sufficient improvement on mileage allowance, sick leave provisions, benefits, or provide a vacation equivalent to allow Home Care providers to catch up with other health care workers.
"The employer claims that travel time, our Home Care members' highest priority, is a nonstarter," Carroll says. "How can you deny a Home Care worker's claim for travel compensation when so many Home Care workers spend hours travelling from one client to another in a single day?
As a result of the breakdown in negotiations, strike votes are scheduled across the province from Jun. 13 to Jul. 25. Bargaining is scheduled to resume Jul 30 and 31.
SEIU Home Care workers expect to return with a strong mandate to strike if required.
SEIU Local 1 Canada represents 46,000 health care workers in hospitals, long term care, nursing and seniors' homes, and community services in Ontario.