Nearly nine out of ten British Columbians support equal pay for equal work in BC’s long-term care homes 

Community Savings Credit Union launches 7:01 Movement to advocate for all healthcare workers to receive a fair wage all year around - not only during a pandemic.

June 25, 2020

A new report released today by Community Savings Credit Union has found that 88 per cent of British Columbians support continuing ‘levelled-up’ pay for long-term health care workers after the pandemic.

The report, commissioned by Community Savings Credit Union, was conducted among 1,005 members of the Angus Reid Forum panel to better understand public opinion of wage discrepancies between BC’s long-term care workers.

There is also strong support (87 per cent) for providing equal pay and benefit standards for long-term care workers.

Right now, many workers in long-term care and assisted living earn less than the provincial standard, and have fewer benefits. Wage rates have been temporarily levelled-up as part of the Provincial Health Officer’s directive to limit care home workers to a single site.

Mike Schilling, President and CEO of Community Savings Credit Union, explains: “The pandemic has put a spotlight on the importance of our long-term care workers and other health care staff who are on the front lines keeping us all safe. Why should it be that only in times of crisis, that health care workers are paid a fair salary across the board?”

“The vast majority of British Columbians recognize – and support – levelled-up pay in health care, not just during COVID-19. It would be wrong to cut salaries for these valued health care workers to pre-COVID levels. Our message should be that these workers are valued -- and not just during times of crisis.”

Community Savings has launched the 7:01 Movement to build off the public’s show of support for its health care workers during the 7pm applause.

Mike Schilling continued: “Our research shows British Columbians know that long-term care workers do not receive equal pay and benefits across the board – and nearly 9/10 respondents think this should change. We are calling on the general public to show their support by signing our petition to ensure all health care workers are paid a fair wage all year round.”

When commenting on these research findings, Hospital Employees’ Union secretary-business manager Jennifer Whiteside said: “B.C. has led the national response to the pandemic by taking decisive action to level-up wages in seniors care to the provincial standard. Going forward, re-establishing a provincial standard for wages and benefits will improve recruitment and retention of staff and improve working and caring conditions throughout the sector.”

British Columbians that would like to show their support for all health care workers being paid a fair wage all year round can join the 7:01 Movement here: www.701Movement.org

About Community Savings

Community Savings Credit Union is BC’s largest fully unionized credit union and is dedicated to being the credit union of choice within the working community. At Community Savings Credit Union, we are known for providing exceptional service to each member and our passion lies in empowering our members to achieve their financial goals. Being member owned and operated, Community Savings invests into our communities by supporting local charities and non-profit organizations to help create stronger and more vibrant communities. To learn more, visit www.comsavings.com

About this study

These are the findings of a study/survey conducted by Community Savings Credit Union from June 17 to June 19, 2020 with a provincially representative sample of 1,005 British Columbians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English.

About Angus Reid Forum surveys

The precision of Angus Reid Forum online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 3.09 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all British Columbians been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

About the Angus Reid Forum

The Angus Reid Forum is Canada’s most well-known and trusted online public opinion community consisting of engaged residents across the country who answer surveys on topical issues that matter to all Canadians.

Media contact:
CSCU@yulupr.com