The Canadian Union of Public Employees is calling for permanent multi-year wage increases for workers in group homes, childcare, women’s shelters, and other community-based organizations. The province has announced a wage top-up for some frontline workers during the COVID -19 pandemic. But president Judy Henley asks, “Why does it take a pandemic and $53 million from the federal government for the provincial government to acknowledge the true value of the crucial services that long-term care, childcare, group home and shelter workers provide to the most vulnerable in our society?” She says these workers are grossly underpaid. Henley says, “Even for those that receive this top-up, 16 weeks of these additional earnings will not even come close to making up for wages frozen for years.” CUPE is also calling for additional funding for front-line staff who are not included in the province’s announcement.