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(Sydney) 100 employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees employed at MacGillivray Guest Home could be on strike as early as next week. The employees who work in nursing, dietary and housekeeping have been without a contract for two years.

Earlier this month a tentative agreement was reached for all 37 nursing homes represented by CUPE. However, each individual employer would have to offer that settlement to its employees.

Jack Coffey, Administrator at MacGillivray Guest Home is resisting putting the employees in a plan of their choice. The agreement allows for a defined benefit pension plan that is funded by the employees and the Department of Health. The employees and the employer cant come to an agreement on which pension plan to access.

Its not only unnecessary, its ludicrous, says Jacquie Bramwell, National Rep, that this employer would push these employees to take strike action when in fact, it should make no difference to the employer where this money is directed. The pension monies belong to the employees and not the employer.

Although the Union could be in a legal strike position, the requirement is to issue to a 48-hour notice. That notice has yet to be given and the Union is optimistic that the employer will give serious consideration to resolving this issue.

For information:
Jacquie Bramwell, CUPE National Representative - (902) 539-4933
Brian Bernier, President, CUPE Local 1562 - (902) 539-1182