Employees at Riverview Gardens in Chatham held an information picket on Sunday outside of the 519 King Street West long-term care facility.
Becky Kitchen, a personal support worker and the Unifor union chair at the facility, said employees are not getting the vacation they are asking for at the municipally-run facility.
“The reason we are here today is to bring attention to the labour issue,” Kitchen told the Sydenham Current on Sunday, April 2.
“The lack of the vacation entitlement that is given to us through our collective agreement. Vacation is being denied by management.”
Kitchen said the issue could not be revolved, even after a meeting last week.
“So we are here today to bring attention to the fact of our denial of vacation and the fact that it is the law,” she said.
Kitchen said multiple employees have had their vacation requests denied over the last three years.
She said lack of personal support workers and practical nurses at the facility have contributed to the issue.
Officials with Riverview Gardens could not be immediately reached for comment.
A municipal job posting states the home is committed to providing exceptional, residential long-term care services for approximately 320 residents, over the age of 18 in need of long-term care.
“The residents have access to a range of medical, personal, dietary and recreational services that the team strives to ensure the highest potential of quality of life at Riverview Gardens,” the posting states.
The services at the home, include:
– 24 hour nursing care
– Personal care and assistance to meet individual care needs
– Recreational and Social Activities
– Rehabiltation (physio and occupational therapy) services and restorative care
– Nutritious meals and snacks
– Laundry and Housekeeping services
– Trust fund account management
– Counselling
– Palliative (end of life) care
Here are some photos of the information picket:
– With files from Tami Eagen
– Photo credit: Tami Eagen
