Thousands of long-term care workers across Nova Scotia are striking after talks with the province broke down last week.
Employees from 22 homes in Nova Scotia are on the picket lines after contract negotiations hit an impasse, prompting the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) to submit a 48-hour strike notice ahead of the planned action on April 13.
“Health care workers shouldn’t have to go on strike to earn a living wage,” Ty Loppie, CUPE Long Term and Community Care Committee Communications Officer, said in a press release. “But that’s exactly what this government and our employers are forcing us to do. It’s not a choice any of us are making lightly, but it feels like that’s the only one we can make after years without a contract and months without any real bargaining.”
On Sunday, Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, released an op-ed explaining the situation from the government’s perspective. She said in the piece that the months-long negotiations resulted in “a situation I sincerely hoped would be avoided.”
“To residents, families and staff of those facilities, I know how worried you must be. I want to reassure you that we have been in touch with all impacted long-term care homes,” the minister said. “For us, and them, the care and safety of residents remains the number one priority.”
Adams said that there has been “misinformation” circulating, saying the government put to CUPE a “strong, competitive package.”
The union continues to push back, saying that the government has been giving workers “essentially the same deal” five times in a row. Tammy Martin, CUPE’s long-term care coordinator, explained this was one of the reasons the talks broke down.
The government offer, according to Adams, is a four-year agreement with:
- Wage increases of at least 12 per cent, with some classifications receiving up to 24 per cent
- Retroactive pay dating back to 2023
- A 70 per cent increase in shift and weekend premiums, effective upon ratification
- Funding to enroll in a defined benefit pension plan for facilities that do not currently have one in place
“As Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care, I strongly encourage CUPE leadership to reconsider and sincerely hope they allow members to vote. It is not too late,” Adams said.