Ford government announces pay increase for 350,000 healthcare workers

The Ford government is introducing a “pandemic pay”. It’s an extra four dollars an hour for essential front line workers like nurses and PSW’s for the next 16 weeks. Those who are eligible must work at long-term care or retirement homes, emergency shelters, supportive housing, social service care settings, corrections institutions, and youth justice facilities, as well as those providing home and community care. Staff providing frontline clinical services, along with those providing cleaning and meal preparation will qualify as well. This new pay increase, in partnership with the federal government, will apply to all workers in the previously listed settings whether there is a COVID-19 outbreak or not.