During a phone conversation I had earlier today with a CLAC member at a long term care home, I learned that a recent layoff to front line staff was not due to low occupancy (the home is full and there is a waiting list). Instead, it was due to a “budgetary” issue.
So what was this “budgetary” issue? The employer was short a manager and had to pay overtime to registered nurses to cover the work.
The fix? Reduce the number of personal support workers.
A manager makes a poor financial decision and the fix is to lay off PSWs and put residents at risk by reducing their frontline care.
How is it possible that when a manager makes a poor financial decision the residents and staff suffer?
Sadly, this is allowed under Ontario’s Long Term Care Act because hands-on care in the minds of those governing this province doesn’t necessarily mean those who actually use their hands to care for residents.
This situation has to change. Please help us deliver this message to the Ontario government by supporting our information picket at the constituency office of Deb Matthews in London on Tuesday, September 20 ( http://www.atimetocare.ca/picket-events/ )