In solidarity we stand: A recap of today’s fight for justice.

“Justice for?”

“PSWs!”

“JUSTICE FOR?”

“PSWS!!!”

From Toronto to Thunder Bay, all over and in between, we heard the chants of our strong PSWs, homecare workers, and union allies. Hundreds of PSWs gathered in picket lines in key locations all over Ontario. At City Hall in Toronto we marched up to Queen’s Park, bringing traffic to a halt in some places, and with the supportive horns from passerby truck drivers! Imagine the scene! The crowd was happy to hear from SEIU Healthcare’s leadership as well as from supportive politicians MPP  France Gelinas (Health Critic) and Toronto City Councillor Mike Layton.

Follow our J4PSWs blog for the latest stories and photos and from the picket lines!

THANK YOU to all who came out to rally and cheer, and THANK YOU to those who stayed strong in the cold weather and showed amazing solidarity to make this strike strong from the beginning.  The message that was sent out all over the province was loud and clear: WE WANT JUSTICE FOR PSWS.

Newspapers, radio, and TV are reporting from our picket lines and talking to our president Sharleen Stewart. Ontarians are hearing from you.

Every moment that you are outside with your fellow brothers and sisters, our message to the employer and the public becomes stronger: we stand united for better working conditions and for respect for the benefit of ALL. We look forward to seeing you on the picket line on DAY TWO of the strike!

To update your contact information, call the Member Resource Centre (MRC) at 1-877-672-7348.

In solidarity,

Your Justice4PSWs Team

Rallying for the rights of others: A selfless testimony

Today we met hundreds of PSWs who represented all ages, backgrounds and levels of service. It was apparent that some people strike because they have no choice—they have mouths to feed, they have children to clothe, they have bills to pay. Some people strike out of desperation. And then there are those who march in solidarity with their fellow PSWs and homecare workers. Amongst the crowd was Stephanie Balkwill from Coldwater, Ontario. Having served the Ministry of Community and Social Services for over 26 years, Stephanie had saved enough for herself, and was living comfortably. What’s surprising is that for the past two years, Stephanie has worked as a PSW for Red Cross. “I tried to stay at home,” she explained, “but the need is too great. Families are moving away from small towns and [the elderly] are left in dire straits. People need to be cared for and [the government and RCCP] have to know that this is a huge need. We need to help our elders, parents, mothers, fathers, sick husbands and wives.” As a PSW, Stephanie visits, on average, 12 homes a day. She drives from home to home without adequate compensation. [A story that is now the hallmark of PSWs who work for RCCP]. Stephanie expressed gratitude to SEIU Healthcare for defending the rights of PSW workers, and for keeping workers united. She emphatically emphasized that she was not on strike for herself, but for her fellow PSW workers.