RICHMOND
HILL, ON, Sept. 11, 2024 /CNW/ - SEIU Healthcare,
one of the largest healthcare unions in Ontario, is excited to announce changes to our
leadership team as we usher in a new era of worker power, where
union members not only win strong contracts, but where we win at
the ballot box, too.
After leading our victories to gain higher wages, win pandemic
protections, successful pay equity court decisions, and defeat Bill
124, Sharleen Stewart,
long-time president of the 60,000-member healthcare union has
decided to step down from her role as SEIU Healthcare President to
focus exclusively on the political risks we face nationally and
provincially. Sharleen will continue in her role as International
Canadian Vice President where she will be at the forefront of
building a care economy rooted in fairness and justice, and where
care work is rewarded with economic security.
Tyler Downey, currently
serving as Secretary-Treasurer, will assume the role of SEIU
Healthcare President. Tyler is a once in a generation voice for the
people on the frontline of care. He is a union leader relentless in
the pursuit of a future where nothing stands as an obstacle to the
success of working-class communities. Tyler will help lead a
modern-day labour movement and bring in a new era of worker power.
As president, one of his first constitutional responsibilities will
be to fill the position of Secretary-Treasurer. Tyler is excited to
announce the appoint of Michael
Spitale to serve as Secretary-Treasurer for SEIU
Healthcare.
Michael Spitale, currently
serving as Director of Government Relations and a proud member of
SEIU Healthcare for a decade, has demonstrated an unrelenting
commitment for turning working-class struggle into middle-class
opportunity for all. Michael refuses to allow powerful interests to
dominate the political system. In the years since Michael joined
SEIU, the minimum wage for PSWs has nearly doubled, and going
forward, Michael will help build a bedside blueprint to improve the
lives of all healthcare workers.
Jackie Walker, previously
Nursing Division President and frontline nurse who championed the
#DriveTo35 for RPNs, was recently elected as Executive Vice
President of SEIU Healthcare and will continue in her leadership
role as we build a movement that is anti-racist and anti-misogynist
at its core, and where all healthcare workers have the opportunity
to thrive. Jackie is a fighter for safe staffing levels that bring
dignity and joy back into our work.
SEIU Healthcare is committed to delivering middle-class
incomes that keep up with the cost of living, safe union jobs, a
secure retirement after a career of serving our communities, and
protecting universal public healthcare for all.
The changes will be effective October
1st, 2024. We're excited to get to work.
SOURCE SEIU Healthcare