On March 17, 2020 the government of Ontario declared a State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Shortly thereafter, the government enacted an Emergency Order that empowered Unity Health Toronto and other hospitals to redeploy staff, change schedules, cancel holidays and vacations, reassign work locations and suspend the operation of many provisions of collective bargaining agreements.

Since that time, employees at the hospital have been assigned to work in all areas of the hospital, providing direct and indirect care, screening services, support, research and testing and in every other imaginable role. Many employees have had vacations cancelled, worked long hours in uncomfortable and less than ideal conditions, been transferred to new jobs, been assigned to shift work, weekend work and seen their workloads increase dramatically.

On April 25, 2020, the provincial government announced a $4.00 per hour Pandemic Pay premium that applied to most health care and front-line social service workers, but excluded many hospital employees.

Shortly thereafter, the government enacted an Emergency Order that suspended certain legislation limiting wage increases for health care workers with respect to payments related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. That order allows the Hospital to implement a COVID-19 related wage enhancement, even if the government has not ordered it.

The Hospital’s core vision underscores a commitment to dignity, compassion, inclusivity, community, and excellence with a focus on trust, teamwork and respect.

Now, therefore, we the undersigned members of LiUNA Local 3000 and other employees and friends of Unity Health Toronto call upon you to implement a $4.00 Pandemic Pay increase for all employees of the hospital and we further call upon you to join us in calling for the provincial government to extend its Pandemic Pay premium to ALL hospital employees.