No deal reached in CUPE strike, N.S. long-term care workers remain on picket lines

The CUPE picket line outside the Saint Vincent's Nursing Home in Halifax is pictured. (Jonathan MacInnis/CTV News Atlantic)

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says a deal has not been reached in the ongoing long-term care workers strike in Nova Scotia.

On Thursday, it was announced the union and the provincial government agreed to return to the bargaining table.

Both sides bargained into early Friday morning, but to no avail.

CUPE long-term care coordinator Kim Cail says the latest development is “disappointing.”

“We went to the table, presenting two counter offers with different wages that would bring our lowest paid workers closer to a living wage, but were met with little movement,” she said in a news release.

“The new offer, which expires in 2028, was better than the last, but would still leave support classifications at just over $23 by the end. That’s not a living wage now and it certainly won’t be in 2028.”

CUPE, which represents 52 long-term care facilities in Nova Scotia, has said its major focus is improved wages for workers.

The strike, which began on April 13, continues, with Shoreham Village in Chester, N.S., joining the picket lines Friday.

CUPE says two more homes are set to join next week.

The following 32 long-term care facilities are currently on strike:

• Lunenburg Home for Special Care in Lunenburg
• Grand View Manor in Berwick
• Magnolia Continuing Care Centre in Enfield
• Shiretown and Ivey’s Terrace Nursing Homes in Trenton
• Maple Hill Manor in New Waterford
• Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax
• Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney River
• Ocean View Continuing Care in Eastern Passage
• Admiral and White Hills Long Term Care Centres in Halifax
• Maplestone Enhanced Care in Halifax
• Alderwood Rest Home in Baddeck
• Richmond Villa in St. Peter’s
• Northside Community Guest Home in North Sydney
• Bayside Home in Barrington
• Seaview Manor in Glace Bay
• Maritime Odd Fellows in Pictou
• Valley View Villa in Stellarton
• Queen’s Manor in Liverpool
• Villa St. Joseph-du-Lac in Dayton
• Roseway Manor in Shelburne
• The Birches in Musquodoboit Harbour
• Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home in Port Hawkesbury
• Surf Lodge in Lockeport
• Ivy Meadows in Beaver Bank
• Glasgow Hall in Dartmouth
• Celtic Court in Membertou
• Bisset Court in Cole Harbour
• St. Anne Nursing Care Centre in Arichat
• Ryan Hall in Bridgewater
• The Meadows in Yarmouth
• Melville Lodge in Halifax
• Shoreham Village in Chester

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