Kitchener long-term care home members share worker challenges

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Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi and Assistant to the National Officers, Kelly-Anne Orr, visited a Long-Term Care Home in Kitchener to meet with frontline workers and hear firsthand about the challenges they face in their daily roles.  

a resident in a wheelchair with staff and visitors

During the tour, workers shared their concerns about chronic understaffing, heavy workloads, and the emotional toll that comes with caring for residents. Many spoke about how the pandemic only exacerbated the existing issues, leaving them struggling to provide the level of care residents deserve while also managing their own well-being. One of the key challenges highlighted was the lack of sufficient staffing ratios, which not only affects the quality of care but also leads to burnout and high turnover rates among workers. 

“Meeting with the workers highlighted the urgent need for systemic changes in long-term care,” said Samia Hashi, Ontario Regional Director. “These frontline workers are carrying an immense burden, and it’s clear that real change is needed to support them in delivering the care that residents deserve.” 

Four women standing in a hallway smiling

Unifor has been advocating for comprehensive reforms to address these issues and improve the working conditions in long-term care homes. The union continues to call on the government to enforce staffing ratios that ensure adequate support for workers, as well as to invest in mental health resources for those dealing with the emotional strain of the job. Additionally, Unifor is pushing for fair wages and improved benefits to ensure that long-term care workers, who are often underpaid despite their essential roles, receive the compensation they deserve. 

“Our members have been voicing these concerns for years, and it’s time for the government to listen,” said Ray Souto, President of Unifor Local 1106. “We need immediate action to address the staffing shortages and provide long-term care workers with the respect and support they deserve.” 

workers in a laundry room posing by steal tables and a large bin

The visit is part of a broader campaign by Unifor to bring attention to the ongoing crisis in the long-term care sector. The union is focused on driving legislative changes that will not only improve working conditions but also ensure better care for residents.  

With upcoming bargaining rounds and continued government lobbying, Unifor remains committed to ensuring that long-term care workers have a stronger voice and that the sector receives the reforms it desperately needs.