Seniors Minister Barb Adams says there are no plans to go back to the table with the union that represents thousands of long-term care workers who walked off the job more than one week ago.
Over 2,000 CUPE members from 25 nursing homes have been on strike since April 13, fighting for higher wages.
Four more facilities are set to join by Friday bringing the number up to 3,000.
In an interview with Acadia News, Adams says the deal is fair, holding her ground.
“CUPE has already accepted the deal twice in home care as well as in acute care and so there are almost 28,000 healthcare workers who already accepted this deal,” says Adams.
Adams says it includes a 12 minimum per cent increase up to a 24 per cent increase in pay that dates back to 2023, as well as $4 more an hour for evenings and weekends.
“If you work an evening weekend shift, it’s $8 more an hour than what people are already receiving,” adds Adams.
She says they are calling on CUPE to have their members vote on the offer.
Meanwhile, the union has made it clear they do not feel the $18.77 an hour wages they receive is enough and the deal offered is the same as three years ago.
A rally is planned for next week.
