Worker Power
We proudly hosted the SEIU Canada Convention and Summit in Toronto, bringing together locals from across the country. It was an honor to welcome political and union leaders, including former Minister Seamus O’Regan, Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, outgoing International President Mary Kay Henry, and President April Verrett. We also celebrated our former President, Sharleen Stewart, who was acclaimed for another term as International Vice-President.
Politics Matter! Our dedicated Political Action Committee kicked off the year with intensive training, equipping them to canvass their communities, connect with the public at local events, and amplify your stories to shed light on critical healthcare issues. Through political action, we have the power to drive real change in our province!
MARCH
Long-term care members came together to prepare for bargaining, collaborating to identify key priorities and build a strong strategy for negotiations. We elected our 2024 Long-Term Care Bargaining Committee and fought for real improvements. As a result, we secured:
- An 8% general wage increase over the next two years
- Enhanced weekend premiums and expanded vision benefits
- 7.5% pay in lieu of health and welfare benefits for part-time employees, while keeping their three sick days
- A $2 per hour increase over the next two years for Registered Practical Nurses and RAI Coordinators
When you don’t pay us or respect us, we show up. We rallied at Chartwell Ballycliffe in Ajax to demand fair treatment after ongoing payroll issues left many struggling to pay their bills on time. Enough is enough—respect workers, pay workers!
MARCH/APRIL
This spring, we mobilized and educated the public through community organizing about why privatization is bad for the people of Ontario. SEIU PAC leaders and members across Ontario took charge and engaged with their communities by canvassing door-to-door about the threats of privatization plans.
APRIL 26, 2024
On the National Day of Mourning, we gathered at our monument at our head office to honour those injured or killed at their workplace. Developmental Service Worker Angela Mueller-Green delivered a heartfelt speech in memory of Ashiru Awoyemi, who died in a preventable workplace violence incident in 2021. She called for justice for Ashiru’s family and urgent safety improvements for healthcare workers. She also shared her own experiences with workplace injuries, emphasizing understaffing and inadequate protections. We urged employers and governments to prioritize real change to prevent future worker deaths.
MAY
We sent delegates stateside to our International Convention in Philadelphia to organize, strategize and exercise our union vote! Thank you, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for speaking with member leaders and delegates, including those from our five Canadian locals. Congratulations to April Verrett, who was elected as our new President (and nominated by our President, Tyler Downey).
JULY
Over 100 members at North York General Hospital delivered 2,500+ signatures to CEO Dr. Everton Gooden, protesting a 30% parking fee hike—but he didn’t show. When they took the signatures to his office, they were turned away. Our members stood up against unfair increases that worsened safety, and added financial strain on staff.
NOVEMBER
In 2024, our PAC Committee brought our collective stories and struggles to Parliament Hill! Politics matters – watch their powerful conversations and learn more about how we are shaping the future of healthcare work.
NOVEMBER
These issues matter: strong wages that keep up with the cost of living, safe union jobs, and retirement security for those who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities. That’s why a group of motivated members volunteered their own time in Philadelphia ahead of the U.S. Presidential Election—because worker power has no borders. The election results are a wake-up call. We must step up and fight to elect pro-union, pro-healthcare governments!
DECEMBER
Our dedicated PAC leaders organized PAC Givebacks across Ontario. Their selflessness and hard work brought communities together for a meaningful cause, truly embodying the spirit of the holidays. These efforts remind us that giving back is the greatest gift, and their impact continues to inspire us all. Thank you for making a powerful difference this season!
We took action when Southbridge’s Orchard Villa staff endured freezing conditions for days due to a heating system outage. Management refused to fix the problem, putting kitchen staff at risk.
Members organized and got large space heaters delivered. They then called out the Southridge CEO for putting members through unsafe working conditions and leaving seniors in extreme cold.