LTC strike grows in N.S. as frustration boils over wage standoff
Thousands of long-term care (LTC) workers in Nova Scotia are growing frustrated after months of failed talks with the provincial government over fair wages, standing their ground for day four on the picket lines.
Minister for Seniors Barb Adams has made it clear that she believes the deal her government offered is fair, considering other unions across the province have already accepted it. However, CUPE representatives tell us that there wasn’t much of a discussion.
President of CUPE 1245, Rowena Graham, says, “They’re refusing to meet us halfway, they’ve shut down all talks. We met with them five times, and five times there was no discussion, so this is why we’re here. We don’t like the deal that’s on the table presently.”
Graham points out that other unions signed their agreements with a “me too clause”, meaning that if CUPE gets a better deal, they also get one. She says it’s not fair that while they fight, rain or shine, others can coattail their efforts.
“Which is very discouraging for people that work hard. We do this job because we love the residents, they’re like our second family,” Graham explains. “But we are all getting burnt out.”
Graham tells us about one housekeeper who has been at the Ocean View Continuing Care Centre, represented by CUPE 1245, for 15 years and is currently still making $18.77/hr. She says, “Her son just got hired at Costco last week and is making $2 more an hour than she makes.”
Continuing Care Assistants in Cape Breton say ‘we work short staffed all the time’
In Port Hawkesbury, CCA’s say the current deal is the same one that was offered to them three years ago.
CCA Chandra Timmons says, “We didn’t agree to it then. We also just want fair wages. New Brunswick and P.E.I got their $5 raise, so why can’t we have a fair raise? We deserve it, we do the same amount of care.”
President of CUPE 3630, Laurie MacNeil, stresses that if working conditions do not improve, less people will want to enter the field.
“We need people to help look after our elders. Right now, we’re constantly short. We don’t get our vacations,” MacNeil explains. “So, in order to get people to come into the field, we have to have a livable wage.”
The strike kicked off on Monday, April 13, when workers at 24 nursing homes walked out, and support keeps growing, with one more home joining the picket lines in New Glasgow today and more planning to join in the coming days.