Dear sir:
This is an open letter to the public in regards to Riverside assuming control of Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances until a local solution can be reached.
CUPE Local #65, along with local supporters, community residents, and friends and families of residents staying at Rainycrest, waged a public campaign to have Riverside take over the management of Rainycrest.
We recently met with Riverside’s senior management, and they recognized and thanked us for the good work our members have provided in spite of trying circumstances and lack of strong managerial leadership.
They also have assured us that they respect and recognize our collective agreement, and that our members will continue to provide good service to the residents.
It is business as usual and the focus will be to solve past management problems.
We always have been up front about problems and issues our residents were facing. The residents and their families, and now Riverside, have recognized our members’ good work and how their dedication has provided continuity to the residents.
We now look forward to working with Riverside to solve these problems so that we can improve our working conditions and continue to provide the best care our residents deserve.
We have fought hard to keep for-profit companies like Extendicare out of our communities and Rainycrest. We have been told that Extendicare is only here for a short period during the transition phase and will be out by July 1.
We also have been assured that Riverside is running our home and that Extendicare reports to Riverside management.
We will be keeping a close eye on Extendicare because our goal is to ensure our community should have local control of our home for the aged. Who better to serve our seniors than our own people?
Our communities and our residents deserve better, and we look forward to a brighter future. Our goal is not to dwell on problems we have faced in the past with the board of directors and the previous management.
We believe Rainycrest will benefit from Riverside’s strong leadership and community experience, and look forward to working with them to provide excellent care for our residents.
Thank you,
CUPE Local #65
Lori Caldwell (Unit chair),
Jack Gray, and Susana Leahey
