Topic: Red Cross PSW strike

[BlindDruid]

My wife is one of those PSWs' that is into the 10th day of their strike.  Thier current living wages are very low, some of the single mothers are actually earning below pverty line wages.  So while the Red Cross is keeping their wages low their top brass are getting huge raises some of which are larger than some of the front line worker wages.  If you know anyone who has had a personal support worker at home then you will know the vaulable work they do.  Please go to http://www.justice4psws.ca and from there you can send a letter to your local mpp in support.
 
Thanks,
Rene

[Metalhawk]

Yeah, I read about that. Unfortunately, that situation is a small-scale representation of maybe the single biggest problem facing the entire Canadian (hell, probably worldwide) workforce right now. Management getting fat bonuses and pay hikes regardless of performance (hello Hydro Ottawa and Hydro One) while the little guy below gets peanuts, and is usually lucky to still have a job at the end of the week.

[Metalhawk]

You said the strike is over. Good outcome, I hope?

[BlindDruid]

They applied for and are now going into interest arbitration with the hopeful outcome of being made an essential service.  With a fair arbitrator they should get a fair deal.

[Metalhawk]

Being made an essential service is a double-edged sword though. At the hospital, we are not allowed to strike (nor can we be locked-out), so as a result the hospital likes to take its sweet ass time to negotiate. It's not unheard of that a new contract is finally signed 3 or 4 years after the expiry of the previous one. Of course, the whole thing being retro-active, the new contract is already expired once signed. It can be quite comical in some sad, pathetic way.