Members of CUPE Locals 2079 and 1303, representing workers at nursing homes in Shediac and Moncton called a news conference today to denounce impending layoffs of several key staff at both homes.
“The Boards of Directors at Villa Providence and Villa du Repos, have made a terrible decision,” said Ovila Melanson, President of the local representing workers at Villa Providence. “They plan to lay off workers who provide valuable service to nursing home residents and who, in many cases, have acted quickly to save lives.”
On September 1st, Villa Providence in Shediac will lay off all security guards. On September 7th, Villa du Repos will also lay off all security guards, as well as a housekeeper. In addition, a worker who has been both a seamstress and worked in the laundry, has had her hours cut back – this means she will only do laundry and that families of residents will have to take care of all repairs.
“Not only will this put a greater burden on families it will certainly add to the workload crisis,” said Donald Leblanc, representing workers at Villa du Repos. “It’s not too late to rescind these layoff notices. Our nursing homes need these workers.”
The two CUPE locals called on the Boards of Directors at both nursing homes to make their financial records public.
“We call on the Boards of Directors to make their financial records public. Why do they have no money? Is it because Workers’ Compensation Rates are too high? Is it because our homes are already so understaffed that too many of us are sick and injured? If this is the case, and we think it is, then we need more, not fewer staff at our nursing homes,” said Michel Boudreau, a worker at Villa du Repos and President of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions. “And if we are right about compensation costs, we call on all nursing home administrators to join us in our fight for more funding for nursing homes. Together, we could end the workload crisis.”
The NBCNHU represents more than 2,500 CUPE members who work in nursing homes across New Brunswick.
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Donald Leblanc (506) 758-9042 (h)
Ovila Melanson (506) 532-3029 (h)
Michel Boudreau (506) 381-7490 (cell.)
“The Boards of Directors at Villa Providence and Villa du Repos, have made a terrible decision,” said Ovila Melanson, President of the local representing workers at Villa Providence. “They plan to lay off workers who provide valuable service to nursing home residents and who, in many cases, have acted quickly to save lives.”
On September 1st, Villa Providence in Shediac will lay off all security guards. On September 7th, Villa du Repos will also lay off all security guards, as well as a housekeeper. In addition, a worker who has been both a seamstress and worked in the laundry, has had her hours cut back – this means she will only do laundry and that families of residents will have to take care of all repairs.
“Not only will this put a greater burden on families it will certainly add to the workload crisis,” said Donald Leblanc, representing workers at Villa du Repos. “It’s not too late to rescind these layoff notices. Our nursing homes need these workers.”
The two CUPE locals called on the Boards of Directors at both nursing homes to make their financial records public.
“We call on the Boards of Directors to make their financial records public. Why do they have no money? Is it because Workers’ Compensation Rates are too high? Is it because our homes are already so understaffed that too many of us are sick and injured? If this is the case, and we think it is, then we need more, not fewer staff at our nursing homes,” said Michel Boudreau, a worker at Villa du Repos and President of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions. “And if we are right about compensation costs, we call on all nursing home administrators to join us in our fight for more funding for nursing homes. Together, we could end the workload crisis.”
The NBCNHU represents more than 2,500 CUPE members who work in nursing homes across New Brunswick.
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Donald Leblanc (506) 758-9042 (h)
Ovila Melanson (506) 532-3029 (h)
Michel Boudreau (506) 381-7490 (cell.)