The 10-day lockout at the for-profit Maples Personal Care Home in Winnipeg is over – and public support for CUPE 2719 helped. The 105 members of the Local, who are among the lowest-paid nursing home workers in Manitoba, knew they worked hard for seniors and the respect they earned paid off on the picket line as residents and their families showed their support.
“This lockout was tough on a lot of people and we’re glad it’s over,” said Ofelia Evangelista, president of Local 2719. “It was tough on residents, tough on families and tough on us, seeing scabs earn 50 per cent more than we were being paid.”
The main victory in the settlement is on wages. Maples workers will receive a 10 per cent increase over the next three-and-a-half years, allowing them to start narrowing the wage gap with similar workers throughout the province.