Workers at Bridlewood Trails Retirement Community in Kanata voted almost unanimously today to join The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
“The pandemic has been very challenging for workers in retirement and long-term care residences. Thanks to COVID, everyone knows care workers need to be treated better and given more respect,” said Marc Lafrance, a CUPE representative who is involved in the organizing drive. “Now these workers have new rights and the backing of a strong union to help build a better, safer workplace for everyone.”
The roughly 80 workers include registered practical nurses, personal support workers, and dietary, kitchen, environmental and maintenance workers.
CUPE is the largest healthcare union in Ontario, representing more than 100,000 workers in hospitals and in more than 240 long-term care and retirement homes.