Workers at Totem Lodge and Shorncliffe guaranteed to keep the same wages, benefits and seniority when they transfer to Trellis
(By news desk)
The long-term care home to be built in Sechelt moves a significant step closer to construction now that agreements covering direct patient care and support workers have been reached with the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) and the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU).
The building permit process and construction is expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months. The care home will provide at least 125 care beds along with adult day services.
The proposed site is in a residential area on Shíshálh Nation land and is accessible by existing transit, with amenities nearby. The exact location was not known by press time but The Coast Clarion will update this story as soon as the information is available.
“This has been a long process and I’m happy to see this project move ahead,” said Chief Warren Paull of the Shíshálh Nation.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) will also soon open a 12-bed unit at Sechelt Hospital for seniors who are waiting for long-term care during the transition to the new facility.
The Ministry of Health, the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC) and Trellis, operating as Silverstone Care Centre Limited Partnership, have agreed that care staff who currently work at Shorncliffe and Totem Lodge will be guaranteed the same wages, benefits, pension and seniority when they transfer to the new care home.
Approximately 80 care aides, licensed practical nurses, activity workers, therapy aides and registered nurses will benefit from these collaborative agreements, a VCH press release says.
BCNU, HEU and VCH have signed separate memoranda of agreement.
Contracted food and housekeeping support staff who work at Totem Lodge and Shorncliffe will also be offered comparable employment opportunities with no loss of wages or benefits.
(update)
The guaranteed wages mean “significantly” higher per diem costs for VCH, VCH spokesman Matt Kieltyka said. “We will know the figures once the facility starts operating.”
(end of update)
Health Minister Adrian Dix is happy with the agreement. “I asked Vancouver Coastal Health to go back and look at this project through the lens of the community members, and I am pleased that the negotiations were completed successfully and we can move on to the next phase of planning for this critically important care facility.”
“We listened to the concerns about the importance of these jobs for health care workers in the region and have been able to retain the union status, wages and benefits.”
“It is very good news that we are moving forward with the next phase of planning for the care home, which is a much-needed resource for seniors and their families in this region,” said Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons.
“I am also pleased that in supporting continued opportunities for staff, the principles we all fought for have been protected. This not only supports health care workers but will also provide benefits for the seniors who will call this space home,” he said.
A very exciting day for health care workers and the people who will benefit from the much needed support from all in our community!
Hopefully this will continue to work for us even after time goes on without regressing from the privatization sector finding a loophole!
While this whole thing looks good on the surface—and it is good for the workers, thank goodness, and for seniors in care—the update casts an interesting light on the deal. The business model for privatized care facilities to make their profit is through lower wages and benefits for workers, fewer hours per client per day, i.e., lower staffing levels, and lower cost (read quality) food. With the information in the article above, I see two problems: 1. The same number of workers for increased numbers of clients means less attention for clients, and 2. The phrase “‘significantly’ higher per diem costs” means us taxpayers are paying so that the private for-profit care business can make a profit. And Minister Dix is happy and our MLA is pleased? I wish I shared their delight.