Negotiations have broken off for 384 CUPE members who provide services at seven Extendicare facilities across Alberta.
After four days at the bargaining table, the two-sides were unable to reach an agreement on wage increases. CUPE has applied for mediation.
These members are dedicated to Extendicare residents, but their ability to deliver high-quality services is frustrated on a daily basis. There simply is not enough staff to provide the care the residents deserve, said CUPE National Representative Ron Pilling.
Low wages and heavy workload have created a problem for recruitment and retention of staff at Extendicare. A decent wage increase will ease the problem and allow these employees to do the job they were hired to do, he added.
CUPE members from Bonnyville, St. Paul, Vulcan, Lethbridge, Leduc, Viking and Fort McLeod have joined forces to bargain a new collective agreement. The employees are the housekeepers, maintenance technicians, clerical support, kitchen staff, nursing aides and recreation aides.
These Extendicare employees want to provide quality care, quality of life and a safe and healthy home for our seniors. It is about dignity and respect, said Pilling.
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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 casinos. Visit our CUPE websites for more information cupe.ca and cupealberta.ca
For further information:
Pam Beattie CUPE Communications
(780) 484-7644 or (780) 288-1230 (cellular)
Ron Pilling CUPE National Representative, (780) 910-5979 (cellular)