More than 75 former staff members, supporters, family members and at least one resident protested last week in front of a pair of Port Alberni long-term care facilities pushing for better conditions.
Many of the protestersB次元官网网址� signs brought attention to staffing issues at the Fir Park and Echo Village facilities, calling on the Alberni-Clayoquot Continuing Care Society (ACCCS)B次元官网网址攚hich oversees both homesB次元官网网址攖o take action.
Denis Sauve, a former City of Port Alberni appointee to the ACCCS board, said he attended the protest to speak up for staff and clients at both facilities. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e being a voice for staff members that are being intimidated and donB次元官网网址檛 want to come forward,B次元官网网址� Sauve said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been ongoing for a long time. ThereB次元官网网址檚 staff shortages that need to be addressed, the workers that are workingB次元官网网址攖he nurses and care aidesB次元官网网址攁re working long hours and thatB次元官网网址檚 one of the grievances put forward. But mostly youB次元官网网址檝e got residents, youB次元官网网址檝e got your loved ones in there and they havenB次元官网网址檛 had a bath for a week or two or three and itB次元官网网址檚 just unheard of. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檙e trying to address, is to get the proper care.B次元官网网址�
Staff members were not involved in the protest, however, some of them stood across the street to watch the proceedings, including a union member with the Hospital EmployeesB次元官网网址� Union (HEU). None of them were willing to speak with media.
A union spokesperson with the HEU confirmed for another news outlet that more than 100 grievances have been filed by staff members at both Fir Park Village and Echo Village. Sauve said the grievances are one of a number of concerns.
B次元官网网址淭he fact that 100 grievances have been made by the staff, and none of them have been addressed in a timely fashion is not right,B次元官网网址� Sauve said. B次元官网网址淎nd staff members here have a collective agreement to be able to deal with these grievances, but theyB次元官网网址檙e being ignored.
B次元官网网址淣ow we have many workers on both sides that are worried to come forward. They donB次元官网网址檛 want to come forward because theyB次元官网网址檙e worried about retribution.B次元官网网址�
Mark Chase has lived at Echo Village for 11 years. He rode his electric scooter among the protesters with his own sign proclaiming that he had been threatened with eviction because he spoke out about conditions inside the home.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 here to stand up for the staff and residents that canB次元官网网址檛 speak their piece,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been here for 11 years. IB次元官网网址檝e seen what it was before, to what it is now. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no comparison: itB次元官网网址檚 just gotten worse and worse. Staff arenB次元官网网址檛 happy and IB次元官网网址檓 here for them.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e so short-staffed they canB次元官网网址檛 run properly with what theyB次元官网网址檝e got.B次元官网网址�
Kristy Salter organized the Aug. 31 protest after seeing a television news report where people aired their grievances. Salter, an education assistant (EA) with School District 70, said she is not a healthcare worker but she knows several people who work in Fir Park and Echo Village.
B次元官网网址淎fter receiving all these private messages from current staff members that are too afraid to speak because theyB次元官网网址檙e worried about repercussions, I decided I would create this event and hopefully gather enough support to make this out in the open for the community,B次元官网网址� Salter said.
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