Rallying for those left off the list during COVID-19

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

Health care workers recently gathered in front of Lakeridge Health Oshawa to speak up for frontline workers not receiving pandemic pay.

In an attempt to help out frontline workers putting themselves at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government released a pandemic pay premium.

The list of those who received the $4 per hour increase included staff at long-term care homes, retirement homes, emergency shelters, and more.

However, some workers were left off the list who believe they should also be eligible for the raise as well, like lab technicians.

Along with Lakeridge Health pharmacy technician Leanne Weatherhill, Sara-Jane Labelle, OPSEU chair hospital professionals division, organized the demonstration across the street from the hospital.

Labelle explains there’s been a lot of lobbying which has resulted in the addition of respiratory therapists to the list.

However, there are others, such as phlebotomists and radiation technicians still not on it, she explains.

“Workers are already facing anxiety from working long hours and isolating from their families that a recognition of their efforts would be helpful in making them feel valuable,” she says.

She believes with the “ramp up” of testing, and without additional staffing, health care workers are more tired than ever.

“One of the things we are trying to achieve with this action is to help get the recognition the field deserves so future health care providers will feel energized to join the profession,” she says. “The field is getting older and we need younger people to get involved.”

Labelle says they saw approximately 100 people at the Lakeridge Health Oshawa rally, and notes a lot were there on their lunch breaks.

“We had representation from the majority of the professionals that have been included,” she says. “In some groups, the whole department managed to stagger their lunch outside.”

Labelle says they will also be attending a provincial rally today (Wed., June 17) at Queen’s Park.

She notes that she and many health care workers have been going out and rallying, but there is “no end in sight.”

Speaking to The Oshawa Express, Durham MPP Lindsey Park says the province and Premier Ford “wish” they could provide pandemic pay to every single frontline worker.

“Unfortunately, there is a limit to the amount of funding provided by the federal government through our shared agreement, and we are not able to expand the pandemic pay program beyond the over 375,000 employees already deemed eligible,” she says.

She encourages those who are interested in seeing a full list of eligible employees to visit Ontario.ca/PandemicPay.