WIINNIPEG After 12 days, the 93 CUPE members (Local 2719) at the Maples Personal Care Home remain on strike, with no end in sight.
The Maples workers walking the picket line include nursing aides, dietary and cooking personnel, and activity staff. The start rate for health care workers at this facility is $9.72/hour compared to workers in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) who start at $12.67/hour.
It’s up to the employer now, said Mark Kernaghan, CUPE National Representative. We made the last offer that the employer rejected. It’s in their court.
While morale remains high on the picket line, residents and their families are finding the strike difficult to cope with. Replacement workers from Total Care are not providing adequate care according to family members.
Background:
For information, contact:
Mark Kernaghan, National Representative, Phone: 942-0343, ext. 216
Dennis Lewycky, Research/Communications Representative, Phone: 942-0343, ext. 298
The Maples workers walking the picket line include nursing aides, dietary and cooking personnel, and activity staff. The start rate for health care workers at this facility is $9.72/hour compared to workers in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) who start at $12.67/hour.
It’s up to the employer now, said Mark Kernaghan, CUPE National Representative. We made the last offer that the employer rejected. It’s in their court.
While morale remains high on the picket line, residents and their families are finding the strike difficult to cope with. Replacement workers from Total Care are not providing adequate care according to family members.
Background:
- Contract expired April 2002
- Strike vote on October 21st 92% vote to strike
- The same support workers were locked out by Management in 1999. A contract was finally negotiated after three weeks of picketing.
- Wage Parity comparable with other workers in the WRHA;
- Long Term Disability the workers do not have an LTD Plan while other workers in the WRHA participate in such a plan;
- Pension Plan the workers do not have a pension plan which exists for other workers in the WRHA;
- Shift Premiums there are none, but premiums are paid to other health workers in similar jobs in the WRHA.
For information, contact:
Mark Kernaghan, National Representative, Phone: 942-0343, ext. 216
Dennis Lewycky, Research/Communications Representative, Phone: 942-0343, ext. 298