Long-term care workers in Stellarton, N.S., join CUPE strike

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:

• St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax
• Maplestone Enhanced Care in Halifax
• Ivy Meadows in Beaver Bank
• Admiral Long Term Care Centre in Dartmouth
• Glasgow Hall in Dartmouth
• Ocean View Continuing Care in Eastern Passage
• Bissett Court in Cole Harbour
• The Birches in Musquodoboit Harbour
• Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney River
• Northside Community Guest Home in North Sydney
• Celtic Court in Membertou
• Alderwood Rest Home in Baddeck
• Richmond Villa in St. Peter’s
• Seaview Manor in Glace Bay
• Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home in Port Hawkesbury
• St. Anne Nursing Care Centre in Arichat
• Ryan Hall in Bridgewater
• Queens Manor in Liverpool
• Bay Side Home in Barrington
• Roseway Manor in Shelburne
• Surf Lodge in Lockeport
• Villa Saint-Joseph du Lac in Dayton
• The Meadows in Yarmouth

CUPE says members at four more care homes are expected to join the strike next week.

With files from The Canadian Press

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