Another group of long-term care workers have joined the ongoing strike across Nova Scotia. Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2330 workers at Valley View Villa in Stellarton, N.S., hit picket lines Thursday morning. The union submitted its 48-hour strike notice last Friday and more than 2,200 workers began walking off the job Monday morning. CUPE represents 52 long-term care facilities in the province. Affected workers include continuing-care assistants and licensed practical nurses, housekeeping staff and physiotherapists. On Monday, CUPE said more workers were expected to join the strike in the coming days. The Valley View Villa workers now join 24 other long-term care homes on strike. They are forming picket lines with Pictou’s Maritime Odd Fellows at 739 E River Rd. in New Glasgow. “Even 4 days into a province-wide strike, Minister Adams is insistent that their offer is strong and competitive. I think over 2,000 striking workers, with more to come, is a very clear message that we disagree,” said CUPE Long Term and Community Care Committee Chair Christa Sweeney. “Long term care workers deserve a living wage and we’re going to stay on the line until their offer brings us closer to that.” The offer on the table by the province is a four-year deal retroactive to 2023, which means, if accepted, the contract would expire next year and could potentially have workers back out on the picket line. Long-Term Care Minister Barbara Adams Adams said in a statement Sunday afternoon the government’s offer would increase the wages of some workers by 24 per cent. She said the offer comes with retroactive pay back to 2023 and contains a 70 per cent increase in shift and weekend premiums. The other striking care homes are: CUPE says members at four more care homes are expected to join the strike next week. With files from The Canadian Press For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
