FEBRUARY 22

Hundreds of concerned Ontario citizens, community groups, and unions bombarded the Conservative’s Policy Convention at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls. We stood up against the Conservative’s careless policies and extreme cuts to public services. Our message was strong, making cuts to the healthcare and education system will hurt the people of Ontario. We told the government to create an Ontario that will benefit all, not just big greedy corporations.

March 8

SEIU Healthcare members joined hundreds of people in Toronto as we all celebrated the great political, economical, and cultural achievements of women all around the world. As we celebrated, we remember how important it is to continue strengthening our collective voice for women’s rights and equality.

“As we emphasize the great battle ahead in women’s rights, it is always important to recognize our sisters’ accomplishments, strengths, and bravery in the years that have passed. Let us continue to push forward and be the example our future generations need.”

– Sharleen Stewart

April 4

SEIU Healthcare joined the Equal Pay Coalition as they held their first-ever Equal Pay Day Virtual Rally. This year especially has emphasized how significant women are in our workforce and communities. Despite how much the world has progressed, Equal Pay Day reminds us of the gender pay gap that still exists today. As a healthcare union that represents thousands of women, we will continue to fight for a future that provides economic security for all women.

may 5

SEIU Healthcare held three moments of silence to honour the three personal support workers who tragically lost their lives to COVID-19. The ceremonies and Appreciation Rallies took place at Ina Grafton, Sienna Midland Gardens Care Community, and Sienna Camilia Care Community to remember Sharon Roberts, Arlene Reid, and Christine Mandegarian. Hundreds of members joined us to pay tribute to our fallen sisters and show their support for all frontline workers fighting COVID-19.

may 6

Over 100 vehicles joined us as we circled Queen’s Park and honked our horns to make sure the Ontario government could hear our demands for appropriate PPE, pandemic pay for all, and safer working conditions for all healthcare professionals. On the way to Queen’s Park, we made stops at several GTA hospitals, including North York General Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

June 16

The members at North York General Hospital organized a successful rally to demand pandemic pay for all healthcare workers. Although the government added more healthcare professionals to the pandemic pay list, many workers were still left out, including rehabilitation assistance, lab techs, physiotherapist, pharmacists, and much more. NYGH members ensured the classifications that were excluded were put in the spotlight. Throughout the pandemic, SEIU Healthcare has been leading the fight for pandemic pay for all healthcare workers. We have urged the Ford government to provide permanent wage enhancements for everyone in the health system.

June 17

SEIU Healthcare, CUPE, and Unifor held a special event to support expanding pandemic pay to all healthcare workers. Under the banner of ‘it takes a team to care’ we continue to call on the government to include all essential healthcare workers in hospitals.

June 30

Frontline hospital workers at Michael Garron Hospital held a rally to demand pandemic pay equality for all healthcare workers. Many members rallied outside of the hospital sharing their outrage and frustration due to several classifications being left out of the temporary pay premium. Hundreds of healthcare workers have shared how pandemic pay has created tension and division in the hospital sector. SEIU Healthcare is demanding that the government brings pandemic pay back, and this time they include all healthcare workers

In the Spring and Summer, SEIU Healthcare organized numerous car rallies. We drove to cities all over Ontario, including Niagara, Hamilton, Peterborough, Orillia, and Ottawa. Hundreds of members visited long-term care homes, retirement homes, nursing homes, and hospitals in their vehicles. Cars were decorated with thoughtful messages as they drove around the facilities showing support and solidarity.

Over the course of eight days, SEIU Healthcare’s leadership and staff drove all over Northern Ontario to show their appreciation to the frontline healthcare workers keeping places like Thunder Bay, North Bay, Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, and Kapukasing safe and healthy. Thank you to all the amazing members who joined us at every stop.

August 5

Ontario Liberal Party leader Steven Del Duca met SEIU Healthcare President Sharleen Stewart, Secretary-Treasurer Tyler Downey and several of our members at our head office in Richmond Hill to listen to their concerns from the frontline.

September 25

Several of our member leaders from Niagara Health and Hotel Dieu Shaver met with MPP Jennie Stevens to discuss pandemic pay, staff shortages, PPE, nursing, the second wave, and other important issues facing Ontario healthcare workers.

October 6

SEIU Healthcare organized a rally outside of Michael Garron Hospital to stand in solidarity against racism. At the hospital’s construction site, there have been several hateful appalling acts of discrimination. The union, along with over 50 members marched to demand that Michael Garron Hospital and EllisDon take immediate action to avoid any future incidents.

October 27

We organized a rally at Southlake Regional Hospital in Newmarket, following multiple acts of violence against workers. Our message was loud and clear: we need to put a stop to workplace violence. We demanded to meet with the hospital to discuss several solutions for violence in the workplace. One of the solutions that would have a province-wide impact is bringing back a committee on workplace violence in the healthcare sector, which the Ford government previously dismissed. Another issue that has been highlighted, especially during this pandemic, is that the healthcare sector is not receiving enough funding or enough support. We have also asked the Minister of Health and local MPP Christine Elliott, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo, and representatives from the mental health department to join us at the table.

November to December

Schlegel Villages is a for-profit employer who is considered one of the top employers providing services in long-term care and retirement homes. Despite their reputation, they have refused to come to the bargaining table and make much-needed improvements to their employees’ collective agreement. Members joined us in their vehicles as we rallied outside their homes all over Ontario to show our Schlegel sisters and brothers that we stand with them.

December 5

Members, MPP Monique Taylor, and Hamilton’s Labour Council joined us at Grace Villa Nursing Home in their cars to show the healthcare workers and residents that during this COVID-19 breakout, they are not alone! On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, there were a total of 38 residents and 26 staff who tested positive for COVID-19. We displayed our extreme gratitude and appreciation for all the frontline workers and reminded them that they have our full support while they get through this difficult time.

December 8

SEIU Healthcare members joined the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) at Southlake Regional Health Centre. Two days after the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, we banded together in front of the hospital to remember all those who have been impacted or lost their lives to violence against women and workplace violence. Southlake has experienced countless incidents of violence, and the union is working with ONA to ensure they implement a zero-tolerance policy for any forms of violence!

December 22

Our members in Thunder Bay wrote over 300 hand-signed holiday cards and delivered them to residents at three local long-term care homes.  At a time when these residents are unable to see their family members, these cards meant so much to them.

This is another heart-warming example of how SEIU Healthcare is not just a union – we are a family.