CUPE's Extendicare Central Table Receives Overwhelming Mandate for Job Action if a Deal is not Reached

MARKHAM, ON.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE’s Extendicare Central Bargaining table is holding strategic planning meetings in Markham this week, one month after negotiations ended with Extendicare. The eight CUPE locals from across Ontario represent over 1100 Long-Term Care workers at various Extendicare facilities in the province. This central bargaining table sets the pattern for collective bargaining in the sector.

Extendicare and the Central Table broke off bargaining on April 1^st with many items outstanding on the table. Central Table committee members held votes for job action with their locals, receiving 99% mandate from the members across the locals. While Long-Term Care workers in Ontario can’t go on strike, other job actions are being considered to pressure the employer back to the table. Our members are prepared to use all options at our disposal to exercise our rights and win a fair contract for our members, and all Long-Term Care workers in Ontario.

Extendicare made $96.6 million in profits in 2025. This for-profit provider can afford to provide fair wages, good benefits, and correct the issues caused by their systems. Instead, they have withdrawn from bargaining without meaningful engagement, hoping instead to push the process to Interest Arbitration in hopes that an arbitrator will force concessions on Long- Term Care workers.

From scheduling, vacation, and pay issues caused by the implementation of the employer’s Human Resources management system workday, to benefits and annual pay increases, the parties were unable to find common ground. Despite working with a neutral conciliator. This delay will continue to impact Long-Term Care workers who already have lower wages and lesser working conditions compared to other health care workers in other sectors.

CUPE represents over 30,000 Long-Term Care and Retirement Home workers across the province and has consistently set the pattern followed by other unions bargaining in the Long-Term Care and Retirement sector in Ontario. CUPE’s Extendicare Central Table is hopeful that Extendicare will return to the table with a meaningful offer that meets our members’ needs.

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