Workers at 24 Long-Term Care homes across Nova Scotia are officially on strike after years of failed negotiations.
CUPE President Alan Linkletter says the government’s current offer just isn’t enough.
Linkletter explains, “It doesn’t provide a living wage for the people of Nova Scotia, and we’d hope they do better. So, let’s hope in the next couple days that they do.”
Union reps say they’re prepared to stay on the picket line until a fair deal is reached. Linkletter also points to staffing as a major concern.
He says, “We may create lots of new beds, but we have to have the workers to fill it, and recruitment and retention is a big issue. It needs to be addressed, and this is the way we do it.”
Meanwhile, workers from a pair of nursing homes in Yarmouth began the strike in the rain Monday morning.
LPN Marla Nickerson was outside the Villa St. Joseph-du-Lac in Dayton.
She says it’s unfortunate it’s come to this.
“We have people inside that facility that need us. That’s where we want to be. But it comes to a point where we have to stand up.”
Nickerson says support staff would be left behind with the current proposal from the government.
At ‘The Meadows’ in Yarmouth, CUPE lead Greg Williams says it’s shameful on the Houston government.
“We have managers in the facilities now assisting with daily operations for the residents. It’s not a good situation for residents or workers.”
Williams says they’ll be on strike until they get a fair deal.
He’s calling on the province to step up and get back to the table with CUPE.
Meanwhile, the province pleaded with CUPE to let members vote on the deal before the strike.
Barb Adams, the Minister of Seniors, wrote an op-ed on Sunday, pleading for union leaders to let members vote on the offer.
She says other long-term care unions accepted the same deal.
