Schlegel’s long-term care workers still without contract

Local long-term care workers are still without a contract at Schlegel’s facilities in Windsor.

Members of Unifor Local 2458 held a media briefing Monday with details on the break down in negotiations with the employer.

Local president Tulio DiPonti said there are two things he is looking for in negotiations: compensation and recognition of the shortage of personal support workers in the city.

“We want to make sure the company compensates members fairly based on the work they have to do and the responsibility they have,” said DiPonti. “[We also want to] recognize the fact that there is a shortage and they have to put some mechanism in place to attract more people to the facility.”

According to DiPonti, efforts to subsidize tuition to train more personal support workers haven’t proven to be effective.

“St. Clair College is offering $1,000 towards tuition and the response is not too many people taking that up,” said DiPonti.

“They know what the industry is all about right now, and they would be going in with one hand tied behind their back in order to do their job. They’re fed up … they’re done.”

DiPonti added the need for long-term care workers has a domino effect for residents.

“Workers are doing the best they can do,” said DiPonti.

“If you don’t have the bodies to give the proper care to the citizens that are living in these facilities, then there’s not much we can do. The blame is always on the worker … yet companies are not doing anything to enhance people getting into the field.”

The union has not planned any strike action as of Monday.

Listen to a radio interview with DiPonti here: