Over 100 long-term care workers rally for better working conditions and wages as for-profit corporation stonewalls in negotiations
Rally held at Extendicare headquarters in Markham on Monday morning
On Monday, June 29, over 100 long-term care workers from across the province boarded buses to hold a rally at Extendicare’s head office in Markham.
Eight CUPE local unions representing 1,100 long-term care staff are currently in bargaining with Extendicare. The employees are calling on the for-profit corporation to address chronic understaffing, low wages and inadequate benefits - issues directly tied to resident care. Extendicare previously withdrew from talks in early April, leading to a three-month standstill in contract negotiations.
Extendicare is one of Canada’s largest private long-term care providers. Last year, the company made over $96 million dollars in profits, while long-term care workers - a workforce that is both predominantly women and disproportionately racialized, continue to be undervalued and under-resourced.
