CURRENT CAMPAIGNS
Don’t let Heather wrongfully lose her job!
This is Heather Blanchard, a resident of Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Heather, who has worked as the Janitor (2011-2013) and then Superintendent and Administrator (2013 to present) at the Bell Island Senior’s Complex is set to lose her job and employment income after twelve years.
Heather has asked repeatedly why the position she has held for 12 years is suddenly being opened for bids, or why the employer has not considered hiring her as an employee, as was recommended by the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation in 2019.
The urgency of this situation cannot be stressed enough. Heather might lose her employment income on July 1, 2023 if the Board does not revoke the bid for tender and follow NLHC’s guidance to classify Heather an employee to afford her basic labour protections. As if that wasn't enough, the tenants of the Senior's Complex will lose the staff member they've built safe and trusting relationships with over the last 12 years.
UPDATE – July 1, 2023
We are extremely concerned to learn that Heather received notice that the Bell Island Community Development Housing Corporation selected bidders to replace her in the position she has held for twelve years. The organization did not communicate with the Workers’ Action Network.
Heather dedicated over a decade of her life and career to providing a safe and secure living environment for the tenants of Bell Island Senior’s Complex— an overwhelming majority of whom wanted her for the job.
Yesterday, WAN wrote to The Bell Island Community Development Housing Corporation and attached hundreds of signatures of robust support from this petition and other printed petitions which circulated in Bell Island. You can read our letter attached here.
Heather would like to thank each and every person who signed and shared the petition and wrote to the NLHC to rectify this issue and prevent a needless loss of employment, or misclassification, from happening to other workers under their watch ever again.
The Employer did not do the right thing, but we can still take action.
Heather says, “Our fight isn’t over.”
WAN, Heather, and her many supporters will continue to use all available means to support low-wage workers subject to precarious working conditions under organizations like the Bell Island Community Development Housing Corporation.
We invite the organization to reach out to us anytime in order to work out a fair and equitable outcome for Ms. Blanchard.
PAST CAMPAIGNS
Do you make less than $20/hr? Take the General Worker Survey!
Newfoundland and Labrador needs 10 Permanent Paid Sick Days now!
Write your letter to provincial government with the template linked here.
The Decent Work and Health Network is building a national network of health workers who advocate with all levels of government for decent work that translates to better health. This includes: fair wages, paid sick days, and safe workplaces.