Unifor local 2458 says Extendicare’s payroll system has frequent errors, leaving workers without wages or earned benefits.
“We’re here to show this employer that our members are sick and tired of their payroll being messed up,” second vice-president Dina Roushanroz told CTV News Tuesday.
“A lot of these members are single parents. They can’t afford to not have their pay paid out to them if they’re missing a day or two or three. That’s the difference between paying their rent or groceries for some of these people.”
Local 2458 represents 250 employees of Extendicare at the South Windsor and Tecumseh locations.
According to Roushanroz, ever since the company switched to an app called ‘Workday’ employees have had issues with payroll.
Employees have had issues with holiday pay, benefits cancelled while on a leave and some have gone weeks with any pay at all.
“You’re talking about going two weeks without having the money that you’re owed. That’s a problem,” said Roushanroz.
She said the company has asked the union for patience while it navigates the new system but after two years of inconsistent pay, the union says their members are fed up.
“(Employees) go and they ask for help when their payroll is messed up and instead of being apologetic, they get a lot of condescending behavior and attitude towards them,” Roushanroz said. “They feel they have to beg for the money that they earned.”
Extendicare is a long-term care facility and as such union members cannot go on strike.
“This (rally) is our recourse,” said Roushanroz.
Extendicare officials say the “system issues related to compensation” impact a “limited number of team members”.
“We are actively working with our union partners and the affected team members to fully resolve them,” the statement read. “We apologize to those impacted and appreciate the collaboration of our union partners as we address these concerns.”
