Workers protest working conditions at Sarnia's Afton Park Place. May 9, 2018 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)Workers protest working conditions at Sarnia's Afton Park Place. May 9, 2018 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)
Sarnia

Afton Park Place Workers Protest (VIDEO & GALLERY)

Employees at Sarnia's Afton Park Place made noise Wednesday afternoon over their working conditions.

The members of LiUNA Local 3000 set up information pickets at the long term care home on Afton Dr. and were carrying signs saying "Resident Safety Can Not Wait" and "Care Over Cost."

Union spokesperson Nancy Guzzo claims management of the long term care home isn't scheduling staff properly and it's affecting residents and their health and safety.

"Here the employer has almost made the staffing issue the employees problem," said Guzzo. "In the last two months they worked with 1,106 hours short of what they would normally have. That's 145 shifts that were left unfilled. Which meant that the workers that were left in the building had to pick up the extra care for 128 residents."

She says it's unacceptable.

"The employees are tired, they're overworked, they're exhausted, they themselves are getting sick and some are getting injured. It's becoming a vicious circle and we want to bring awareness to the community that this is happening. This happens on a regular basis."

Guzzo believes Steeves & Rozema's own mission statement, which is "to enhance our residents quality of life," is being violated.

She says they want to hold the management company accountable so it provides the resources necessary to maintain the standard of care residents deserve.

Workers protest working conditions at Sarnia's Afton Park Place. May 9, 2018 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)Workers protest working conditions at Sarnia's Afton Park Place. May 9, 2018 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)

Workers protest working conditions at Sarnia's Afton Park Place. May 9, 2018 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)Workers protest working conditions at Sarnia's Afton Park Place. May 9, 2018 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)

Workers protest working conditions at Sarnia's Afton Park Place. May 9, 2018 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)Workers protest working conditions at Sarnia's Afton Park Place. May 9, 2018 (Photo by Melanie Irwin)

 

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