There's a 'but' in this Liberal promise, says Bisson

NEWS RELEASE

GILLES BISSON, MPP
TIMMINS - JAMES BAY

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Liberals breaking promises to Personal Support Workers

QUEENS PARK - At Question Period, Wednesday, Gilles Bisson MPP for Timmins - James Bay questioned the Liberal Government as to why some Personal Support Workers are not getting the raise that was promised.

The Liberal Government, prior to the last election, promised PSWs, who work in the Home Care sector, a raise in wages.

Personal Support Workers are the lowest paid in the health care sector with a wage as low as $11 per hour.

Bisson says: "Imagine the surprise, the shock and the sense of betrayal that the workers at the Canadian Red Cross of my riding felt when they got a letter from their employer."

During question period, Bisson read a couple of lines taken from the letter received by Canadian Red Cross: “The wage increase does not apply to every personal support worker. Our low acuity program and adult day programs are not included in the list of approved functional centres for the wage increase in 2014.”

The Liberals committed to respect our PSWs across this province by increasing their wages, however Bisson says: "Problem is, like most promises made by Liberals, there’s a 'but' in the promise. In this particular case, a number of PSWs in my riding are not getting the raise, and it’s the same for other PSWs around this province. So my question to you is a very direct one: Will you fund all PSWs working in the home care sector? Yes or no?”

"I was a bit surprised that the Minister was not aware of this situation," said Bisson.

Health Minister Eric Hoskins, in a private conversation after Question Period, told Bisson he would look into this case and get back to him.

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