A rally is being held on Monday to protest wages at a retirement home in Windsor.
Unifor Local 2458 said Chartwell Retirement Homes pays many of their staff minimum wage, and would like to keep them frozen there until 2020. The union added that most of their employee’s do not even earn a living wage, which is considered by many to be $15 an hour.
"The workers provide care and compassion to resident’s, work that is considered important enough that the Ontario Labour Relations Board has consistently denied them the right to strike and puts them under the same legislation as hospital workers," said Unifor Local 2458 President, Tullio DiPonti.
The union points out that the chair of the Chartwell Board, former premier Mike Harris, earns $237,000 annually for a part-time job.
"The hiring of Mike Harris demonstrates Chartwell's number one priority is their bottom line," said the union.
The information rally is on Monday between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Oak Park Terrace at 1750 North Service Road in Windsor.
"Chartwell Retirement can afford to pay fair," added DiPonti. "These caregivers need your support."
Chartwell has four retirement homes in the Windsor area. Two in Windsor, one in Lasalle, and another in Tecumseh.
"I urge you to immediately take action and address the low wages being paid to workers at Chartwell Retirement Home," the union added. "Bargain collective agreements that respects your employees.
Unifor Local 2458 represents more than 5,400 members, primarily in health care and education in over 60 workplaces from Windsor to Chatham to Lion's Head near Tobermory.
Click here to sign a petition and share your support for the workers at Chartwell.