8 OPINION
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY July 1 - 15 , 2018
Tinig Migrante
By E . Maestro
It was more than a barbeque event at Coquitlam ’ s Como Lake Park . It was also a rally to stop the layoffs of 150 care home workers at Lakeshore and Madison Care Centres . These are care aides , licensed practical nurses , activity workers , housekeepers and food service workers -- the majority of whom are women , and are from the Philippines .
The story of these care workers is simple ; it is of union organizing and union busting .
Care aide Josie Bereber told the story of how the care workers at Madison and Lakeshore , faced with work issues like heavy work load , inconsistent schedules , not enough supplies , unpaid overtime , and sick leave , decided to join the Health Employees Union ( HEU ) on May 1st . “ We decided to join the union because we needed someone that will support us and fight for our rights , she said , and added that “ Joining the union , that made us happy .” On May 22 , three weeks after joining HEU , the new union members received their layoff notices , effective August 7 for Lakeshore and Sept 11 for Madison .
Madison and Lakeshore Care Centres are publicly funded by the Fraser Health Authority and privately owned by The Care Group which contracted out support and direct care services to CD Nurturing Care and Comforting Care , both owned by Carmen del Maestro . The reason given to the workers for the layoffs is Carmen del Maestro ’ s decision to retire from the business and end the contracts . The decision to retire and end the contracts is interestingly timed and can be seen as a strategy to prevent workers from unionizing or forming collective agreements .
Lake Shore care aide Liza Lynn Santos shared that for six years , she looked after 56 senior residents , all by herself , in three wings of the facility ; this meant running to answer 6-10 call bells ringing at the same time . An additional staff which meant extra help for her turned out otherwise when their workload was increased . “ How can you get up six to nine residents in one hour ?” She was emotional as she spoke and visibly touched the audience . She said that her decision to join the union was “ doing what was right .” Even when the termination letter came , there was no regret because she knew that the collective decision was for their “ rights as workers
HEU Madison & Lakeshore Care Workers : Layoffs
and for an improved seniors ’ care .”
The workers that I talked to at the rally mentioned the 200 residents who will be left without their familiar and trusted caregivers when the layoffs happen . As the HEU emcee pointed out , Madison and Lake Shore and other care homes are the “ homes of these seniors ” and not business centres . “ The seniors rely on the care and continuity that these workers provide . And we know that when they contract out or contract flipped , not only does it have a negative effect on seniors ’ care , it drives down wages and and working conditions . And all of that affects the quality of care for the seniors that our members and other workers all throughout the province take care of every day .”
Edna , a relative of one of the seniors in the care home , told the story of how her 103-year old mother fell and broke her hip and came to Madison and how the workers take care of her mother 24 hours a day . Another relative , Esther shared how the Madison workers cared for her 100-year-old mother until she passed away and how the same care is being given to her husband who is now in their care . Both personally thanked the workers for looking after their family members , for being their “ Madison family .” They stressed that providing the continuity of care contributes to the general well-being of their loved ones . Ester and Edna have formed the Family Council for Madison so that families of the residents could come together and be updated on the developments and how they could support the workers .
Irene Lanzinger , the President of the BC Federation of Labour , told the workers , “ You are not alone ” as she reiterated the support of the BCFED which represents 500,000 members from affiliated unions . She encouraged the workers and their supporters to “ Never give up , stick together , and be tireless ” because “ we will win this fight ,” however long it takes .
Expressions of community support came from Chris Sorio from the Filipino Workers Network who declared : “ This fight is about Respect and Dignity not only for the workers but also for the more than 100 residents and families of the care facilities ,” and from Maria Fe Infante , HEU member and a leader of the multi-sectoral Metro Vancouver Alliance : “ All of the members in more than 50 organizations in the Alliance
Madison & Lakeshore workers with HEU Pres Victor Elkins and members
stand behind you . We all support your union ’ s fight against this injustice - this mass layoff - just because you voted to be in a union .” Magkaisa po tayo . Laban all the way !”( Let ’ s stand united ! Fight all the way !)
There is reason to be hopeful that indeed , the workers will win . The HEU members at the Inglewood Care Facility in West Vancouver won their first raise in 10 years , after the union and overwhelming community support , especially from the local churches , pressured the employer into a fair contract . These workers were threatened with layoffs in 2015 when there was a change in the subcontractors in the facility .
The HEU demands action from the Fraser Health Authority and the B . C . Ministry of Health to stop the layoffs , and ensure these newly organized workers keep their jobs and their union . It also calls for the repeal of the legislation made by the Liberal government from 2002 on contracting out , contract flipping and excluding the health sector from successorship provisions .
Care workers take care of the elderly , especially the most vulnerable
“ Laban !” HEU care workers from Madison and Lakeshore with HEU spokesperson Mike Old , Metro Vancouver Alliance Maria Fe Infante and
other HEU supporters .
seniors , in the care homes . Who then takes care of these workers when they are under attack by their employer , contractors and unfair legislation ?
The answer is : We all do and we all should .
We all take care of the workers and in doing so , take care of each other . It is the organized and militant strength of the care workers who are under attack . It is the network of families and friends of the seniors in these homes . It is their union and the whole union movement . It is the wider community — faith based groups , migrant communities , alliances , neighbours , ordinary people who know that improved care for seniors can only happen when the care workers are treated with dignity and respect . It is also the elected officials and the health authorities who can undo the harm created by the Liberals in unfair and unjust legislation by exercising their political will .
The issue of the care workers is our issue as well . ●
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