Tyler Downey (Secretary-Treasurer) John Klien (Chief of Staff) Jackie Walker (Executive Vice-President) SEIU Healthcare is a Canadian trade union representing more than 60,000 workers in Ontario, Canada.

[9][12][13][14][15] The majority of SEIU Healthcare's units do not have the right to strike, as they are bound by Ontario's Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act (HLDAA).

[9][12][13] Then-SEIU International President Andy Stern argues that bargaining units "with less than 100,000 members lacked the power to effectively deal with employers or governments", even at the cost of democratic decision-making.

Although merging existing SEIU locals makes the union less democratic, Stern argues that it's a necessary change to address growing economic issues and membership decline.

Workers can win when they are united, and leaders who stand in the way of change screaming "democracy" are failing to understand how workers exercise the limited power they have..."[12] Instead of merging the locals or defecting to other unions, in 1998, SEIU's Canadian leadership, including the national executive board and local presidents, created a working group to examine ways to address the political and economic challenges, improve servicing, and strengthen SEIU's structure in Canada.

Dubbed the "November Group", this body put forward a proposal that would give SEIU Canada and its locals greater autonomy in its decision-making, financial structures and the establishment of their strategic goals.

[28][29][30][31] Then-CAW President Buzz Hargrove described frustration due to "dictatorial leadership from Washington, poor service, and a fundamental lack of control over their Canadian affairs.

"[41] This move has further established SEIU Healthcare as a business union, which sees the need to play a larger role cooperating with employers and government agencies.

[12][53][54] Michael Spitale, SEIU Healthcare's former director of government relations, was acclaimed as the President of the Ontario Liberal Party in November 2016, but resigned after less than a year.

Although elections are now held every four years, critics allege that the 2004 constitution imposed by SEIU International, and the initial undemocratic appointment of President Stewart has left a legacy by making it difficult for rank and file members to run for top leadership positions.

[12] This is confirmed by SEIU's constitution, as articles 3, 4, and 5 provide the president with a significant amount of executive power, and has restrictive criteria for members interested in running for leadership.

[19] In September 2018, Tyler Downey, SEIU Healthcare's former director of Leadership and Development, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Field Organizer, was appointed by President Stewart as the Secretary-Treasurer.

[59] In June 2019, Mina Amrith, a former Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, and a long-time women's advocate, was appointed as the executive vice-president.

SEIU Healthcare played an important role electing former Ontario Liberal Party leader Kathleen Wynne in 2014.

[45][46][47][48] Michael Spitale, President of the Ontario Liberal Party between 2016 and 2017, was SEIU Healthcare's director of government relations and chief lobbyist.

[19] Compared to other Canadian unions such as Unifor,[60] CUPE,[61] Teamsters Canada,[62] UFCW,[63] PSAC,[64] and LIUNA,[65] SEIU units have little local autonomy.

SEIU officers have a significant executive power and ability to override decisions made by the membership and internal staff, as provided under Article 5 of the constitution.

Former executive Vice President Carol McDowell similarly claims that "Unions operate very much like a business; we are mandated to serve our members.

"[9] SEIU Healthcare has a dedicated nursing division that holds its own convention and has a separate governing board, constitution and professional liaison staff.

While the strike ended after management capitulated, it has been alleged that the chief steward and all the strikers from the Organizing Department were fired, except for those who crossed the picket line.

[75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83] SEIU Healthcare's constitution provides its president with broad executive powers to interfere in the affairs of all internal labour relations.

As per article 5.1, "The President shall have the authority to hire and fire staff as necessary, and to retain counsel, accountants, professional and other personnel as may be required to assist in the duties of the office and to fix their compensation.