Nurses union decries Extendicare ‘reset’ of staffing levels

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This article was published 08/09/2023 (763 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Staffing changes for nurses and health-care aides at long-term care homes in Manitoba operated by Extendicare Inc. are being criticized as creating unnecessary stress for employees and affecting patient care.

A restructuring of staff positions and schedules at Extendicare’s for-profit homes resulted in the Ontario-based company deleting all nurse positions and having staff bid for new roles with different hours of work and on different rotations.

Extendicare has suggested the moves at Tuxedo Villa, Oakview Place and Vista Park Lodge in Winnipeg, Red River Place in Selkirk and Hillcrest Place in Brandon would reduce its reliance on private agency nurses and improve residents’ care.

Nurses disagree and some have filed union grievances.

On Friday, an Extendicare spokesperson said the company has decided to delay the scheduling changes portion, based on feedback.

“As a result, and in consultation with the Manitoba Nurses Union, we have delayed the start of the new schedules to give us more time to work with team members to optimize schedules and explore opportunities that further respond to feedback received,” the spokesperson stated.

To achieve “enhanced staffing levels” during the COVID-19 pandemic, “We sometimes had to rely on agency staff more than we otherwise would have due to a sector-wide staffing shortage in the province,” Extendicare told employees in an Aug. 31 memo that followed a staff meeting about the new master schedules.

“Now, with the acute effects of the pandemic behind us, it makes sense for us to reset our staffing levels.”

The changes would create more permanent jobs, more predictable shifts and more continuity of care for residents, Extendicare stated.

However, the Manitoba Nurses Union said the bidding for positions at Extendicare facilities would put five registered nurses out of a job.

“It’s a slap in the face,” said one nurse who works at an Extendicare facility in Winnipeg. She asked to remain anonymous, fearing professional repercussions for speaking publicly.

The nurse said staffing levels during the pandemic were not increased to a level that merits any reduction now, and rotations are being overhauled without proper regard for seniority.

Some nurses are being moved from day to night shifts, leaving facilities short-staffed during the day, or are being moved into full-time positions even if they’d prefer to remain part-time, she said.

“We’re not being respected for the work that we’ve been doing.”

The MNU has stated it is “vehemently opposed” to Extendicare changing the master rotations. The company made a “unilateral decision” to do so, contrary to consultation requirements in the nurses union contract, MNU wrote in a letter to Extendicare officials, dated Sept. 1.

The Manitoba NDP criticized the move Friday.

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“Nurses were only given one week’s notice to adjust to new schedules, and to make arrangements for child care and other family obligations. Many nurses lost permanent guaranteed hours, and have to reapply for new, reduced hours,” the party stated in a news release.

MNU president Darlene Jackson said the union is filing grievances over the “rushed” rotation changes, while it continues to deal with concerns about Extendicare’s payroll system and the perceived lack of current oversight for long-term care homes in Manitoba.

The union representing health-care aides at Extendicare facilities is planning a late-morning Sept. 11 rally “calling for fairness in long-term care,” outside Oakview Place (2395 Ness Ave.).

It’s the first of several gatherings the Canadian Union of Public Employees said it is planning outside Extendicare-run facilities in Manitoba.

katie.may@winnipegfreepress.com

Katie May
Multimedia producer

Katie May is a multimedia producer for the Free Press.

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