Workers from 22 long-term care homes in Nova Scotia are expected to strike this week after contract negotiations reached an impasse.
The union representing thousands of long-term care workers in Nova Scotia submitted a 48-hour strike notice ahead of action.
In a statement released by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representatives issued the notice on Friday morning to workers at 22 homes across the province. More workplaces are expected to follow suit next week.
The first wave of strikes will see 2,200 workers on the picket lines starting Monday at 7:00 a.m.
“Health care workers shouldn’t have to go on strike to earn a living wage,” said Ty Loppie, CUPE Long Term and Community Care Committee Communications Officer, “but that’s exactly what this government and our employers are forcing us to do.”
The sector’s union did not reach a deal with the province in late March during the final round of conciliation talks.
CUPE long-term care coordinator Tammy said the union was presented with “essentially the same deal” for the fifth time and they turned down the offer.
CUPE’s Christa Sweeney had said earlier that workers deserve fair pay and fully staffed workplaces, with the union noting Nova Scotia’s long-term care workers are the lowest paid in the region.
CUPE represents 52 long-term care facilities in Nova Scotia.
In a statement to CityNews Halifax, Barbara Adams, minister of seniors and long-term care, said the deal the province put forth matches a deal already accepted by employees in 27 unionized long-term care facilities.
“Unfortunately, in long-term care, CUPE has rejected the offer outright without giving members the opportunity to vote, despite accepting it for home care and hospitals,” said Adams. “This is concerning, and I sincerely hope CUPE leadership reconsiders and lets members vote on a deal that impacts them directly.”
According to the province, most long-term care homes in Nova Scotia are not represented by CUPE and will continue to operate as usual. Of the homes in the province, 55 of the 143 are represented by CUPE.
“Essential Service Agreements must be in place before any labour action can take place to ensure that residents continue to receive the essential daily care they need,” the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care Labour Relations said in a statement. “Essential service agreements include a plan to make sure essential daily care continues for residents, like meals, dressing, personal care, and administration of medications.
With files from CityNews’ Steve Gow.