MANITOULIN—In an emergency meeting of the Manitoulin Centennial Manor board last week, called by board Chair Paul Moffat, the board reviewed the 2016 draft budget and decided to eliminate the reduction of 21 personal support worker (PSW) hours.
“When looking at our budget throughout the process we decided to make a small reduction in staffing hours,” explained Manor Administrator Michelle Bond. “To be prudent, we notified the affected staff and union. Fortunately, the board was able to make some adjustments to the (2016) budget so that we no longer have to (reduce staff hours).”
As The Expositor previously reported, as of press time Monday, November 30, the Manor sent notices to PSWs at the long-term care home notifying them that there would be a 21 hour reduction to PSW hours at the Manor as of January 18.
“We unanimously didn’t want to see the reduction of PSW hours,” said Mr. Moffat. “We will be looking at the budget further at our next meeting.”
Stephanie McLennan, president of local 2165 with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), was pleased with the board’s decision.
“I think it is fantastic that they will be no longer cutting PSW hours,” said Ms. McLennan. “We are very pleased with the employee’s desire to put resident care first. We would like to see union and employer lobbying the government together to improve resident care in the future.”
The board will review the 2016 draft budget further at its next meeting on Thursday, December 17.
“We respect and value our employees,” concluded Ms. Bond, “and we are committed to providing quality care to our residents.”
