September 3rd Day of Action for the Extendicare Central Table

The Extendicare Central Table last heard from their employer on June 29th. The employer provided an offer that would force workers to take a backseat to corporate profits, setting Long-Term Care workers across Ontario back in the process. After a summer of silence from their employer, members of the Central Table locals are taking to the streets outside their workplaces to call attention to the delayed process.

This delay effects all long-term care workers in Ontario. The Extendicare Central Table has set the pattern for wages and working conditions in the sector for nearly a decade. Many other employers are choosing not to engage in negotiations until the Extendicare negotiations reach a conclusion. These workers are fighting for better not just for themselves, but for all health care workers in Ontario. We ask that if you are able, find a rally in your community and attend. If you are unable to attend, we ask that you wear red on that day to show your solidarity with the Central Table locals.

Rallies will take place in Timmins, Kapuskasing, Haileybury, Sudbury, Oshawa, Ottawa, Stittsville, Oshawa, and Toronto.

Rallies will happen from 11 AM – 1 PM In the following locations:

  1. 550 Cummer Ave, North York, ON M2K 2M2
  2. 333 York St, Greater Sudbury, ON P3E 5J3
  3. 2510 Wellings Private, Stittsville, ON K2S 3C8
  4. 1715 Montréal Rd, Gloucester, ON K1J 6N5
  5. 62 St Jean Ave, Timmins, ON P4R 0A6
  6. 45 Ontario St, Kapuskasing, ON P5N 2Y5
  7. 143 Bruce St, Haileybury, ON P0J 1K0

The rally for Oshawa will take place from 1PM to 4 PM at 82 Park Rd N, Oshawa, ON L1J 4L1.

Extendicare Central Bargaining Table Solidarity Rally

Members of the CUPE Extendicare Central Bargaining Team in front of the CUPE Ontario Regional Office

On Monday, June 29, members from locals participating in the Extendicare Central Bargaining table will be boarding buses across the province to hold a rally at Extendicare’s head office in Markham.

These eight CUPE local unions represent 1,100 long-term care staff currently 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.

For the past eight years the Extendicare Central Table agreement has set the precedent for collective bargaining within the sector. For-profit employers like Extendicare, are trying to break this pattern so they can once again flatten wages and weaken working conditions in the sector. These members aren’t just fighting for themselves; they are fighting for all long-term care and retirement home workers in Ontario.

The solidarity rally will take place from 10am – 2pm at Extendicare’s head office, 3000 Steeles Ave East in Markham.