Christian Labour Association of Canada fights for retirement group home workers

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Christian Labour Association Organization (CLAC) is a national union that represents the interests of more than 60,000 members. Since it started in 1952 it has been fighting for the rights of workers in retirement and community living homes. As an affiliated member of the World Organization of Workers their work is based on values of respect, dignity and fairness, and they are committed to building better workplaces, better communities, and better lives. They are founded on the belief that: people, businesses, and work communities flourish even workplaces are based on cooperation and mutual respect when we work with each other, not against each other.

CLAC distinguishes itself from other unions. It believes that most unions are characterized by competitiveness and excessive rivalries and thus seek to create an environment and atmosphere that fosters mutual cooperation, interdependence, trust, openness and respect. CLAC is committed to its vision and mission as it works to make your workplace a better place so that you and your co-workers can grow. This is achieved in three ways:

Positive work life

They are a modern union, committed to bringing you the best possible workplaces.

Champions of you

Count on them to be on your side.

Everyday greatness

Better relationships at work, create greater work participation.

CLAC is particularly concerned because personal support workers and other healthcare workers do not have access to important protection of the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB). They want to ensure that workers can access full WSIB benefits, and an increase in the amount of money paid to workers who are injured or hurt on the job.

In a press release issued on Monday, September 25^th, 2023, CLQC expressed its support for Bill 54 which was debated in the Ontario Legislature on Tuesday, September 26^th, 2023. The bill titled, “WSIB Coverage for Workers in Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes Act, 2022,” was introduced by John Fraser, MPP of Ottawa South. He believes that workers in these facilities need the additional protection of WISB that is offered to other healthcare workers. He states, “It is only fair that workers doing the same work should have the same kind of protection. To be excluded based on who your employer is, is wrong.”

The press release provides details about the objectives of Bill 54. It proposes to expand the public workers’ compensation insurance to workers in: retirement homes and residential care facilities giving these employees the protection they need in their

essential roles. CLAC is determined to ensure that these workers have access to full coverage that all other healthcare workers are entitled to. It notes that retirement homes, group homes, and homecare facilities are not included in the list of workplaces for which WSIB coverage is mandatory, because of how the initial legislation was structured. As a result, workers in these important sectors are not covered by the no-fault system if they suffer an injury while at work.

Ian DeWaard, Director of CLAC Ontario states, “Workers and their families in this sector deserve to have the security that if they are hurt, or injured on the job they will be supported. They are front-line healthcare workers who face numerous health and safety risks in the workplace, including those connected to patient rights and transfers, as well as violence and physical assault. Bringing them into the public system is long overdue and is needed to support our healthcare heroes.”

For more information about CLAC check: Website: www.clac.ca