Latest news with #VillaColombo
CBC
7 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Striking workers at North York LTC home say replacement workers not providing quality service to seniors
Social Sharing As personal care workers at a North York long-term care home strike for benefits, sick days and higher wages, they say replacement workers are undermining their efforts and providing sub-par care to seniors. The 25 members of CUPE Local 5525, who support senior residents at Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged in North York, were on the picket line Friday. Workers have been on the picket line for three weeks now, following three years of collective bargaining that began when they unionized in 2022, according to CUPE's website. The primary cause of the strike, according to CUPE, are "poverty wages" and cuts to workers' benefits and sick days. Lilinaa Lena, a personal support worker at Villa Colombo, says her job requires a certificate diploma but after years of stagnation, it now pays just above minimum wage. She says even with current benefits and pay, some of her colleagues have to work two jobs. Lena says while she's out striking, replacement workers are undermining the union. "They are stealing our jobs," she said Friday. More than that, she says, they don't provide the same quality of service to the residents as she and her unionized colleagues. "They don't arrive on time, they don't give the right medication," she said. "We have a good connection with the seniors. They are the same as family. We help them." NDP MPP Alexa Gilmour, who joined workers on the picket line Friday, said wants Villa Colombo "to listen to the workers and reach a fair deal so that those seniors can receive the quality care that they deserve from the people that they trust." "Their employer has brought in scab labour, and the seniors are paying a price for that, because it lowers the quality of care," Gilmour said, adding that the Ontario NDP wants the provincial government to implement legislation against replacement workers. In a flyer distributed to clients and their families, Villa Colombo Toronto said it would not withhold services from clients while workers strike. "We would never leave our clients without care," the Villa Colombo flyer said. "That would go against everything we stand for." Employer says fair deal has been tabled In the same flyer, Villa Colombo Toronto said the union's statements aren't true, and that the employer "has tabled a generous offer" that includes "good hourly wages, ample sick days, generous dental and drug plans, long-term disability coverage, and a best-in-class pension plan." Lisa Alcia, executive director of Villa Colombo Toronto said in an email that over nearly 50 years, Villa Colombo Toronto has built respectful, trusted relationships with staff. "While we are disappointed by the current strike, we remain committed to delivering seamless care to our clients and hope to see our valued employees return to work under the fair and generous agreement we've offered — one that stands above sector standards and was validated by the Ontario Labour Relations Board," she said. The employer is offering workers a nearly nine per cent retroactive pay increase, a spokesperson for Villa Colombo Toronto said in an email. Villa Colombo Toronto describes the long-term care (LTC) site on its website as a "designated ethno-specific facility that encompasses all aspects of Italian life and culture into the care and services provided."
National Post
12-06-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Striking personal care workers at Villa Colombo strengthened by growing political, union and community support
Article content TORONTO — Twenty-five personal care workers who support senior residents at Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged will themselves receive support and solidarity on Friday, when they welcome a second round of special visitors to their North York picket line. Article content Joining the striking members of CUPE 5525 tomorrow will be Ontario NDP MPP Alexa Gilmour, Critic for Women's Social and Economic Opportunity; and union allies from CUPE Local 2, which represents TTC electricians, technicians, communications and signals workers. Article content Article content In Villa Colombo's supportive housing units, residents continue to express their solidarity with the dedicated workers who make it possible for seniors to live independently in the community. In growing numbers, residents are signing a petition in support of the striking workers and lodging daily complaints about the quality of care provided by the agency replacement workers hired by Villa Colomba. Article content CUPE 5525 members have built strong relationships with seniors over many years, but replacement workers have no connection to the seniors in the homes. Residents report unwelcome and risky changes to their daily routine, mistakes with medication, and anxiety produced by unfamiliar workers attempting to provide intimate personal care. Article content Poverty wages and cuts to workers' benefits and sick days are at the root of the three-week-old strike at Villa Colombo. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
National Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Villa Colombo Hires Replacement Agency Workers during CUPE 5525 Strike, Puts Residents and Public at Risk
Article content TORONTO — Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. has hired replacement agency workers in response to the ongoing CUPE 5525 strike. Article content Article content Personal Care Workers at Villa Colombo's Supportive Housing Unit began their strike action on Wednesday, May 28; instead of moving towards a resolution of outstanding issues, the employer has decided to disrespect workers and residents alike by replacing CUPE 5525 members at the home. Article content The absence of a provincial anti-scab law in Ontario is needlessly prolonging strikes, as employers' use of job-stealing replacement workers puts both the public and workers at risk. Article content Agency workers are not trained or certified to the standards of Personal Care Workers with CUPE 5525. Some residents have already mentioned that they are unhappy with the sudden replacement. Villa Colombo workers are trained to a high standard of care and have longstanding relationships with residents in the supportive housing unit. Article content In addition to their lack of experience and training, replacement workers are more expensive overall than CUPE 5525 Personal Care Workers. Not only does this decision by Villa Colombo management hurt the residents and staff, but it also hurts their own bottom line when they hire these outside agency workers to replace CUPE 5525 members. Article content Outstanding issues in the strike include paid sick days and health benefits for part-time workers, no reductions in paid sick days for full-time workers, and no changes to the existing scheduling system. The employer has refused to agree with the union on these items. Workers are conducting this strike to defend the health and safety of both themselves and the residents alike. Article content A picket line is being held weekdays from 8:00am – 4:00pm at 3010 and 3050 Dufferin Street in Toronto, just outside Villa Colombo. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
National Post
28-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Villa Colombo Personal Care Workers Strike for Paid Sick Days and Benefits
Article content TORONTO — Personal Care Workers at Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. are on strike as of Wednesday, May 28. CUPE 5525 members in the Supportive Housing Unit have been negotiating with Villa Colombo for over a year and have reached an impasse with the employer. Article content Article content 'Throughout the pandemic, Villa Colombo staff worked tirelessly to keep residents healthy and safe,' said CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn. 'Now the employer is proposing to keep part time workers excluded from existing health benefits and reducing paid sick days for full-timers. Sick employees should not be forced to work with vulnerable residents.' Article content Proper health benefits and paid sick days are crucial to protecting vulnerable residents from infection. Article content Despite full awareness of the risks of having staff work while sick, Villa Colombo is pushing to reduce paid sick days for full-time workers and keep part-time workers' sick days at zero. As it stands, workers would be penalized with lost wages by making the responsible decision to stay home when they are ill. Article content Further, the employer wants to keep part-time workers excluded from existing health and benefits plans and make significant and disruptive changes to the existing scheduling system. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
