Waterville, N.S. – Unionized employees at Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre (KRRC) are crying foul over changes by the Department of Community Services for Youth Care Workers.
CUPE Local 1472 President Cathy Cooke says, “Staff working in youth care homes at KRRC were mandated by government as Youth Care Workers back in April, 2001, but are still not receiving the same wages as their provincial counterparts.
“This and a number of other sore points are making the upcoming round of bargaining with the Rehab Centre hugely problematic. We are also concerned that our last contract, a three-year deal, took over two years to bargain. Our members are already 12 months without a contract this time around,” says Cooke.
Other issues include:
- Outstanding casual employment issues from the last round of bargaining
- Increase in family leave benefits
- Dental plan improvements
Says Cooke, “Our members deserve to earn a living wage. We are still receiving 32 cents a km. for travel. This doesn’t even cover the cost of gasoline, let alone the wear and tear on our vehicles and ever-increasing insurance costs.
“Unlike government MLA’s, at least we’re asking for our travel increase publicly, not behind closed doors,” adds Cooke.
Local 1472 represents 300 frontline workers at the Kings Regional Rehab Centre.
For information:
Cathy Cooke
President, CUPE Local 1472
(902) 538-9578 (w)
Peter Baxter
CUPE National Rep.
(902) 455-4180 (o)
John McCracken
CUPE Communications Rep.
(902) 455-4180 (o)