Despite a humidex of 40 C, a group of healthcare workers held a rally over the noon hour Wednesday at Bluewater Health's Sarnia site.
Workers represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) said it's unfair they're not getting the pandemic pay that colleagues are getting.
The temporary wage top-up provides those who work with, or could be required to work with, COVID-19 positive patients an extra $4 an hour.
OPSEU said some of its members at Bluewater Health, including medical lab technologists, pharmacists, medical radiation technologists, physio and occupational therapists, and dietitians feel excluded by the Ontario government.
Local 145 Vice President June Weiss, a registered pharmacy technician at the hospital, said they're hoping to resolve the issue.
"The government chose to recognize some professions, but not all of us," said Weiss. "They started out with a dollar amount and only gave it to a few, and then they went back and added a few more, which we were thankful for, but then have said there's no more money. So, it's making my members feel they're not worthy. They're being totally excluded, yet they work side-by-side with all of the professions that are receiving it."
She wishes Ford had implemented a $2 increase across the board.
Weiss said they feel like the "forgotten frontline."
"It's basically like a slap in the face, that we're not good enough. We're the invisible people behind the scenes at the hospital. So, some have said it isn't so much about the money as the principle. Sure, everybody wants money, but it's more the principle, that we're a team together and yet we've been totally excluded from this."
Bluewater Health has over 300 OPSEU members and only a few are getting the bump in pay.
"Try doing an X-ray on somebody and not getting within that two metres distance, or drawing blood, or physio up on the floor with the patients. It's very difficult. We all have close contact with them."
Wednesday's rally ended at 1 p.m.
