Nearly 100 Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) members, who are workers at Extendicare Michener Hill in Red Deer, held a rally along with some of the residents, to demand the reversal of staffing cuts initiated by their employer a few weeks ago.
According to AUPE Vice President Darren Graham, one care worker can be responsible for 36 residents in the evenings. This is especially challenging since many are in dementia care or have high needs.
“One person can't do a two-person lift and then take care of the other 35 individuals that are on the floor needing care as well,” said Graham.
Previous ratios often saw one worker for every 12 or 24 residents.
The new burden causes burnout, and the possible employee turnover can harm residents, especially those in dementia care.
“It's really important to keep continuous staffing of the same individuals because they get to know if the residents as well as their family members and what to expect (from the resident),” expressed Graham.
The rally was held at the corner of Michener Avenue and Ross Street with the participants carrying signs, chanting slogans, and waving AUPE flags. Some employees working that day at the facility even stopped by.
There were honks from passing cars to show support and the rally could be heard from blocks away, due to the use of a megaphone.
The event continued with rally-goers walking down Michener Avenue to a table with food and water before listening to multiple rally speeches including one from AUPE vice-president Darren Graham.
“We're not in a in a bargaining situation here yet, but it's really all about patient care - about making sure that we have enough staff to take care of the patients that are here in the way that they deserve to be taken care of,” informed Graham.
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