Repeal Bill 124 so health-care workers can bargain a fair wage

March 15, 2022

TORONTO — Marlene Spruyt, Ontario Greens Health Critic and candidate for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston made the following comment in response to news that the Ford government is making pandemic pay permanent for Personal Support Workers (PSWs):

“Doug Ford needs to immediately repeal Bill 124 so health-care workers can bargain for a fair wage and important benefits like mental health supports.

Ontario Greens welcome the news that pandemic pay will be made permanent for Personal Support Workers (PSWs), but it’s not nearly enough to address the gaping holes in Ontario’s health system.

PSWs deserve better. They’ve been on the frontlines of multiple waves of COVID-19 and many have been traumatized by the tragic scenes in long-term care homes and ICU wards.

The health-care system is in a staffing crisis and the best, sustainable, long-term approach to help retain current health workers and recruit new ones is by repealing Bill 124.”

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