CUPE members working at Extendicare facilities across Alberta are walking the line at noon today to let their employer know how serious they about better wages.
The CUPE members are picketing at the seven Extendicare sites sending a clear message to their employer that wages are crucial to recruiting more staff and keeping them on the job. More staff means more time with each resident and more time to ensure that they live in a clean, safe and healthy environment, said CUPE Alberta President Yvonne Fast.
Negotiations broke down earlier this month for 385 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees who provide services at seven Extendicare facilities across Alberta. Mediation talks begin on November 26.
With increasing threats to our public health care system, collective bargaining is the first line of defense to protect patients, improve the quality of care and ensure that services are there for the people who need them, said Fast.
Nothing equals the power of people working together. Thats the conviction of these CUPE members who have combined forces to push for recognition for the important work that they do, she added.
The negotiations involve CUPE Extendicare locals in Bonnyville, Lethbridge, Vulcan, Fort Macleod, St. Paul, Viking, and Leduc.
-30-
CUPE is Canada’s largest union with over half a million women and men who provide public services. In Alberta, CUPEs 31,000 members work in health care, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, emergency medical services, social services and now casinos. Visit our CUPE websites for more information cupe.ca and cupealberta.ab.ca
For further information:
Pam Beattie, CUPE Communications,
(780) 288-1230 (cellular)