Pandemic Pay
I was part of a conference call with Ontario’s Municipal Advisory Committee this morning. The meeting was called to discuss details surrounding the payment of the $4/hour pandemic pay. While the overwhelming consensus, with the Homes’/Regions’ representatives, was that it was impossible to start paying, as we don’t have enough details yet, and Homes won’t be receiving funding until early to mid-June, I want to share some specific points with all of you in case this subject comes up with your colleagues in other Homes:
- It has been made very clear, in communications from the Ministry, that all long term care homes’ employees, excluding non-union staff, are eligible.
- There has been many documents that confirm that only statutory deductions will be included so we have deducted EI, CPP and tax. We are a Schedule 2 WSIB employer so it doesn’t affect those premiums and we plan on paying EHT on the amount as well when we file the applicable return.
- The Ministry sees the $4 as a separate and distinct “premium,” and have stressed that it is not part of “regular pay” and does not affect any collective agreements.
- It has been made clear that OMERS premiums will not be paid on the $4
- In the last communication from the Province, they also made it clear that some unions may be looking to collect dues on the $4 premium. CUPE has made it clear that they will not be looking to add this deduction to $4/hour increase. I haven’t been able to find out if ONA will be wanting extra dues payments; I should know soon.
I feel that the information, given to Homes from Advantage Ontario and the Ministry, allows facilities to “safely” start the payments (unless there are deep cash flow issues in the Home). We appreciate what all of you are doing to care for our Residents. Judging from the incredible amount of family comments that we’ve received, and passed on to all of you, their loved ones truly appreciate your effort and dedication, to care for the most vulnerable people in our community, as well.
Balconies
I completely understand people wanting to get away from a demanding work area for a break or lunch. In the perfect world that we lived in, before the pandemic, this really wasn’t an issue for people needing to step out for some fresh air, or to catch up on messages in their car. Then March 2020 happened and everything changed in our sector. There has been 23,774 cases of COVID-19 in long term care homes including 1,962 Resident deaths and, I believe 6 staff deaths. While not a 100% defense against the coronavirus, the implementation of co-horted “bubble” staffing has been praised by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long Term Care, the PRHC and our local MPP, Dave Smith.
That’s not to say it’s been easy for anyone. Staff staying on RHA’s, or in the core, is not ideal by any stretch of the imagination. It is a sacrifice, but it’s been a sacrifice toward the “greater good” of keeping coworkers and Residents healthy, and prepared, in the event of an outbreak. If we had to plan and develop a co-horted plan after having our first case, we would not only lose valuable time, we would also lose lives. The sacrifices that you are making, and the struggles that you are going through, could very well have already saved lives.
The barring of Residents from the Activity Rooms was a necessary step, to be able to give staff a space of their own. People need to decompress, if only for break or lunch time. This restriction on Resident movement wasn’t overly popular with Residents or families. It is their Home, and they already can’t see any of their loved ones or friends. They have had two of their Resident Rights, from the Long Term Care Homes Act, already taken away (rights to visitors and free movement). However, everyone eventually understood that this adjustment was needed but it took some time.
I understand that some people feel that, with the nicer weather coming, that being on the same balcony as a Resident will force them to be required to converse with them while they are on their breaks. I fully support staff saying to Residents nicely “I’m sorry, I’m on break; I will get back to you when I’m back on the floor.” That isn’t rude and Residents shouldn’t take it that way. Respectful co-existence during outside time will support Residents’ mental health when I’m sure their isolation is becoming harder and harder for them, and their families, to deal with.
If you ever have any ideas on what we can do to make your break spaces a more comfortable place, please contact your Supervisor, the RCMs, Betty or myself.
Please consider all Fairhaven COVID-19 Employee Bulletins to be official notifications of consultation with the Fairhaven Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
we>i – “Together we are greater than the individual”
Lionel Towns, CPA, CMA
Executive Director
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