Long-Term Care Workers Announce Strike at 25 Nursing Homes

Long-term care workers in Nova Scotia are gearing up to strike, affecting 25 nursing homes across the province. This action follows stalled negotiations between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the provincial government. Over 2,200 CUPE members plan to commence their strike at 7 a.m. on Monday.

Details of the Strike

The strike will impact various roles, including continuing care assistants, licensed practical nurses, and housekeeping staff. CUPE represents more than 5,000 workers across 56 homes in Nova Scotia. Union officials indicate that additional workers might join the strike in the coming days.

Living Wage Concerns

Ty Loppie, a personal care worker at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax, emphasized the need for a living wage. Many members are struggling with poverty despite working full-time. The current wage structure varies significantly, with starting salaries for lower-paid roles, like housekeeping, set at $18.77. In contrast, certain skilled positions can earn up to $40.21 per hour.

• 80% of workers are continuing care assistants (CCAs), earning between $22.23 and $24.10.
• The 2024 living wage estimate for Halifax is $28.30.

Government Wage Proposal

The provincial government has proposed wage increases ranging from 12% to 24% based on job classification. This offer includes a significant rise in shift and weekend premiums. These pay adjustments would be retroactive to 2023, when the previous collective agreement expired.

Despite this offer, CUPE has rejected it outright, claiming their members deserve a vote on the proposal. Barbara Adams, Nova Scotia’s minister of seniors and long-term care, expressed concern over CUPE’s decision to bypass a vote.

Impact on Services

Adams assured the public that essential service agreements would maintain critical support during the strike. However, families at impacted nursing homes may experience disruptions. For instance, Shannex, which operates several facilities, indicated that recreational and volunteer programs will be paused during the strike.

Preparedness of Long-Term Care Homes

Some homes, including St. Vincent’s, are also set to pause non-essential services like recreation and hairdressing. Family visitations will still be encouraged. The Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care has not provided specific plans for addressing the impending strike, noting that staff at nearly two-thirds of nursing homes are not affiliated with CUPE and will not be affected by the strike.

Overall, the upcoming strike raises significant concerns regarding the welfare of both staff and residents in long-term care facilities across Nova Scotia.