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On Strike

Wednesday, 11 December 2013 13:38

Personal Support Workers hit the picket line in their fight for better pay

Red Cross Personal Support Workers that take care of elderly residents are off the job, and on the picket line.

Weather conditions are terrible to be on the picket, but the workers say they're fighting for a wage that's more in line with what other agencies pay their PSW's.

Community Care Council Lead Bill Hulme tells Heart FM, "There are agencies in this province that pay a lot more for PSW's that do the same type of work.  The Red Cross needs to just get out of the basement because they're in the bottom three of agencies in terms of payroll, and they need to give a competitive wage."

The PSW's through SEIU Healthcare Union voted down the latest contract offer on November 30th that Hulme says offered a 10-cent per hour increase.

Local PSW, Marion Chartrand says once they factor in their deductions for travel expenses, they're below minimum wage.  She says after hearing about some of the bonuses paid to executives in the province, "It really makes me feel back, it makes me feel very insignificant.  We are the front line workers and we deserve to have some respect, and a decent wage so we can continue with our jobs."

Hulme echoed that sentiment, saying what the PSW's are asking for pales in comparison to some of the raises and bonuses you hear about.  "The CEO of the Red Cross last year took a $24,000 increase for himself.  That represents in some cases what a PSW might make in a whole year."

There are 165 Red Cross PSW's on strike in Oxford County, and 4500 across the province.  Hulme is inviting other Red Cross workers to join their colleagues on the picket line until a new deal is reached.

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