Norwich, Ont., retirement home workers staying put despite not being paid in a month

Nurses and personal support workers (PSWs) at a Norwich, Ont., retirement home permanently closing down next week, allege that they haven't been paid their wages for about a month. 

Thirteen employees at Trillium Care Norwich, about 50 kilometres east of London, say some others have gone even longer without pay — but despite this, they've remained at the privately owned facility on a volunteer basis to continue caring for residents.

"At this point, we're coming in for free because we care about these residents," said Angela Franklin, a registered practical nurse, while holding back tears outside Trillium on Tuesday. 

"We have bills to pay. We have families to feed, and we need help but at the same time, how do we leave our families? These residents are like family members to us. We [are] close to them, and it's heartbreaking."

None of the staff members have been paid since Oct. 13, and some others, since Sept. 29, Franklin said, adding that employees were also kept in the dark about the nursing home's closure until it was publicly announced on Oct. 26. 

Trillium sent an email to families saying it will be closing its doors on Nov. 11 due to a lack of funding, calling the development "urgent and unexpected." The move caused panic among families who had to scramble to find last-minute accommodations for their loved ones.

"Due to an emergency lack of financial resources necessary to sustain daily operations, we must close this facility," the memo said. "This decision was not made lightly and every effort was explored to prevent this outcome." 

Trillium's owner and management have not responded to CBC's requests for comment.

"We were told the entire time that this place would remain open and that we didn't have to worry, and then all of a sudden we get a letter on Oct 26, saying that they're shutting down, there's no more funds, and the owner is refusing to pay us," said Franklin. 

The Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) previously told CBC News in a statement that Trillium's two-week closure notice violates the Retirement Homes Act, which requires at least 120 days' notice.

The regulator has said it will use all its powers to ensure the safety and well-being of the home's residents and offered them emergency funding up to $3,500 to help with relocation. There are currently 11 residents remaining at the home, said Franklin.

Cheryl Williams, a PSW at Trillium, said management has refused to provide them with their Record of Employment until they sign a resignation letter, which she said will make them ineligible to qualify for employment insurance. 

Families and community support workers 

In August, the nursing home was also investigated for fraud by Ontario Provincial Police after multiple victims lost an estimated $50,000. 

Families of residents and community members also came out in support of the employees, among them was Michele Tynan whose step-dad was at the facility before being moved to another retirement home in Paris, Ont.

"The care that the workers here have given my dad has been out of this world, and they've bent over backwards to make sure his needs were met," said Tynan.

"I don't understand how the authorities can allow this to happen to our most vulnerable. These aren't just people who can look after themselves renting a place. These are seniors in retirement care, and they all need help."

Tynan, who lives a few blocks away from Trillium, said the proximity to her dad was very convenient and she now has to travel a minimum 40 minutes each way to visit him. 

Williams said nursing homes in surrounding communities have taken in residents, but they are prepared to stay at Trillium past its closing date if any seniors still haven't found a home.

Meanwhile, former employees have started a crowdfunding campaign for the staffers. The community is also calling on all levels of government to advocate for the workers to be fairly compensated.