Workers at Northumberland Hall long-term care home in Amherst, represented by CUPE Local 5018, have voted 94 percent in favour of a strike mandate, joining 29 other CUPE long-term care homes across Nova Scotia preparing for possible strike action.
“This is not how we wanted to start 2026,” said CUPE 5018 President Barb Jenkins. “We hoped the government would make an offer that recognized the vital work we do and our role in the health care system, but that hasn’t happened. If that’s the way it’s going to be, we’re prepared to fight for what we deserve.”
CUPE 5018 is seeking better wages, improved recruitment and retention, and local contract changes to align with other Shannex-operated homes in the province.
The strike votes began in late 2025 after bargaining stalled following what CUPE calls a subpar wage offer from the provincial government.
CUPE Long-Term Care Coordinator Tammy Martin says the issue goes beyond wages, “Adding beds and building new homes won’t help if there’s no one left to provide care. Offering free tuition for CCAs won’t help if they leave for sectors or provinces that pay better. The solution is simple: pay workers what they’re worth.”
CUPE long-term care and the provincial government are scheduled to return to the bargaining table for conciliation at the end of January.
