Just imagine the frustration. Imagine a home care
worker, on a cold winter day, trying to get to their next visit to care for and
to help. And their vehicle — even a four-wheel drive — breaks down because of
wear and tear. Imagine how it would feel, knowing someone is depending on you,
but because of a new payment structure, you’re stuck … and can’t do the thing
you love to do.
Donna says that is a bigger reality than we might
want to think. Donna works for WeCare and drives to and from people in the
community. But Alberta Health Services re-wrote a new contract with WeCare.
Donna, not her real name, says WeCare workers will no longer be compensated for
the distance they drive. “We only make between $15-17 dollars an hour as
caregivers. By the time we take all our expenses off our hourly wage we will be
making less than minimum wage. As you can appreciate this is unacceptable and
all qualified people are leaving their jobs Aug. 1. It is impossible
to run a vehicle with no money.”
She continues: “I fear
for caregivers driving old, unreliable vehicles down gravel roads in
the middle of a snowstorm. This is dangerous. We will have casualties in
the field.”
And that is … unimaginable.
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