The struggle is not over yet, however, at the Labour Board on Thursday July 22, 2010 the count was:

 99 YES - 80 NO

It is clear that the majority voted in favour of the union, but the outcome of the vote is yet to be determined. Why? Because, in their attempt to hold absolute control over us employees, management “padded” the voters’ list by adding over 100 names of individuals who, we believe, are not Paramed employees.

What’s next?  We’re taking the matter to the Labour Board so that Paramed can explain who those individuals are. We can only know the result once we know the status of these additions to the list.

Be vigilant! Employers often get nervous when workers get themselves organized and that nervousness may cause them to violate the law, as we believe they did during the days leading the vote.

If you are being harassed by any managers, supervisors or co-ordinators; if you suspect their behaviour to be inappropriate call us immediately at 416-809-0699 or 1-877-673-7348.

We are stronger together!



Paramed workers have overwhelmingly chosen to vote for SEIU as their union of choice. Home care workers across Ontario are organizing with SEIU because they are tired of working long hours for low wages without paid travel time or benefits. The only way to make changes in your workplace and across the home care system is by joining a union.

Here are the times and locations of the voting polls:

TORONTO

Location: Paramed Home Health Care
Central North East District Head Office
3650 Victoria Park Avenue, Suite 102
Toronto, ON

Poll Times: 6:00AM to 8:00AM
1:00PM to 3:00PM
5:00PM to 7:00PM

MAP

WOODBRIDGE

Location: Al Palladini Community Centre
9201 Islington Ave
Woodbridge, Ontario
L4L 1A7

Poll Times: 6:30AM to 8:30AM
5:00PM to 7:00PM

MAP

NEWMARKET

Location: Paramed Home Health Care
Newmarket Paramed Satellite Office
641 Davis Drive
Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 2R2

Poll Times: 6:00AM to 8:00AM
5:00PM to 7:00PM

MAP

We are offering rides to the voting polls all day. Please call 1-877-672-7348 if you need a ride.

Here is a selection of media articles from PSW day featuring interviews with those PSWs who attended the meetings at Queen's Park.

Personal support workers help patients "have their dignity" - Northern Life

Support workers want limit on work - Mississauga News

Personal support workers declared health care heroes - North York Mirror

Thank you for lending your voice to such a special day. Your words and insights will be shared with your colleagues and help build a PSW movement that understands the value of care in our society and can work to change the health care system for the better.

By Colleen Smith (Washago, Ontario)

I have been a PSW for almost two years and from the very start I realised that this was something I was born to do; I was meant for this and it was meant for me.

When I was younger I used to watch my grandfather get ready for the weekly visit from his care worker. He would race around the house tidying up and washing dishes so that after he had been bathed and dressed they would have more time to chat and play cards together. He looked forward to it so much that my grandmother was actually jealous of her ! But “Lady Di” (as my grandmother had nicknamed her) made my grandfather laugh and was actually one of the few people who could beat him at cribbage.  I remember thinking as I watched her interact with him that this would be something I would like to do one day - to make a difference in someone's life and make them smile...READ MORE

Yes, it’s about POWER and MONEY, and management will lie, threaten and bribe to keep both.

Employers always start their own campaign as we begin to form our union. In the coming days expect a lot of attention from Paramed. They will send letters to our homes, they will blast our phones with messages, and they will have mandatory in-services to try and intimidate us by communicating lies about the union.

Here is a list of answers to some of the questions you might have as management try to confuse us. READ MORE.

"I've worked in union and non-union home care jobs, and I'm going union all the way!" - Lisa Bishop, Paramed home care worker for 5 years

"The union is a good thing to have at your workplace. It provides you with reliability, stability and that voice you wouldn't have without a union." Marva, PSW at Belmont house for 10 years