In a resounding victory, 93 percent of the workers at Constitution Place, a Revera retirement home in Mississauga, voted to join SEIU Local 1 Canada on July 27, 2011. SEIU welcomes 30 new members into the ever-growing SEIU family.
“These workers were motivated. They had energy. It was amazing to see how quickly they came together in only two weeks to form their own union. These women are truly empowered,” said Winsome Smith, the lead organizer for the campaign.
Two big issues at this retirement home are job security and seniority. Over the past year, several employees who worked at Constitution Place for over 10 years were laid off. Jobs are not secure and management doesn’t consider seniority when they cut jobs.
Full-time staff also saw their hours cut and their benefits plan needs an upgrade. And some of the workers, despite working at the home for over a decade, are still only making minimum wage.
SEIU will help these new members negotiate a collective agreement that will improve their working conditions.
SEIU Local 1 Canada is an Organizing Union that represents more than 50,000 health care and community services workers in Ontario. Its members work in hospitals, home care, nursing and retirement homes and community services.