Higher mileage rates, better financial incentives would add 100 home-care workers, Manitoba NDP vows

Debbie Boissonneault,president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 204, is convincedhigher mileage rates and new financial incentives would bring home-care workers back into the fold.

The head of theunion representing Manitoba's home-care workers nodded her head emphatically when a reporterasked if the NDP could follow through on its pledge to hire 100 additional home-care workers if elected in October.

"I hear from members all the time if they got proper mileage and proper benefits, which they haven't gotten out of this current government, thatthey would stay in the program," Boissonneaultsaid.

"This is a big incentive that will keep them in their jobs."

On Sunday, NDP Leader Wab Kinewwas joined by a few dozen seniorsat the Notre Dame Recreational Centreas he pledged to improve a home-care system in which 80,000 Winnipeg-area visits fewerthan fiveper cent of the total visits were cancelled in the first four months of 2023.

If elected, Kinew said the NDP wouldincrease themileage rate from the current $0.45 to $0.68, which aligns with the 2023rate from the Canada Revenue Agency. He argued some workers are losing money from driving frequently and the high cost of gas.

Kinew expects this higher rate to cost $3 million annually. Mileagerates would continue to rise with the cost of living, he said.

He also said $2 million would be spent every year toward a suite of financial incentives that'll help with recruiting and retaining workers. The exact type and value of those incentives would be determined through negotiations with the union and workers, Kinew said.

Kinew believes the NDP could re-hire 100 workers from those who've quit their jobs.

"You still have that pool of health-care workers who have the expertise, in some caseshave the relationshipwith the same patients that we're talking about, and they simply were forced out of the system because they're losing money due to inadequate pay and inadequate compensation for mileage," Kinew said.

A NDP government would strive to hire more workers beyond its initial target, he said.

Home-care time more limited

CherrlynThomson, a senior speaking at the NDP's announcement, said home-care staff used to havetime to get to know their patients.

With her mother, they'd paint her nails, make meals together and talk about their lives. It's something her motherappreciatedbefore shedied, Thomson said.

Under the Progressive Conservatives, she said, staff are only spending 10 minutes at thehomes of her friends before rushing off to their next appointment.

"They don't even have time to provide for all of my friend's basic needs, let alone the companionship that used to be provided."

On the final day the PC government could make funding commitments before the pre-election blackout took effect in August, the Tories announced it would extend various financial health-care incentives to 25,000 more workers, including home-care staff. They're now eligible for weekend shift premiums and a wellness incentive.

• Read full coverage of the 2023 Manitoba election here