Bay Side Home Workers, represented by CUPE 2007, have voted 100% in favour of a strike mandate, joining the growing number of long-term care workers across the province that have taken similar actions in the past month. CUPE 2007, and the other long-term care workers taking part in coordinated bargaining, are fighting for improved wages and, recruitment and retention initiatives.
“The simple truth is that long-term care workers are struggling,” said CUPE 2007 President Deanna Smith. “At work, we’re constantly working short, which means less time spent with residents, and unless the wages increase it’ll continue to be a struggle to recruit new employees. At home, it’s becoming harder and harder to make our paycheques stretch to cover bills. We’re reaching our breaking point and, honestly, it feels like the government just doesn’t care. Not about us, and certainly not about the seniors in our care.”
Bargaining talks broke down this week as representatives of the Houston government offered limited wage increases and failed to address any of the union’s proposals on wages and, recruitment and retention incentives.
“Workers across the province, across the country, are reaching their breaking points. The cost of everything has gone up dramatically in recent years, making the cost-of-living skyrocket, and wages just haven’t kept up. This isn’t a long-term care specific issue. This government needs to recognize that a healthy province is created by people being able to afford to live there,” said Tammy Martin, CUPE Long-Term Care Coordinator, “and we hope our fellow workers, regardless of sector, will support our fight for just that.”
CUPE is in the process of filing for conciliation.