One week away from conciliation meeting, 40 N.S. long-term care homes have voted to strike

A Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) flag during an education support workers rally outside of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.

With the final conciliation meeting between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and Nova Scotia a week away, 40 long-term care homes have voted to strike if a deal is not made.

Tammy Martin, long-term care coordinator with CUPE, said 40 of 52 long-term care homes have voted to strike in the last few months, which represents roughly more than 4,000 workers.

Glen Haven Manor, which, according to its website, is one of the largest facilities in Nova Scotia, is the latest site to vote to strike with 100 per cent approval.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this,” said CUPE 2330 president Betty Best in a news release. “We all wanted to reach a fair deal through normal bargaining and avoid any job action or work stoppage, but this government just isn’t hearing us. The low wages leave us struggling, the understaffing leaves us exhausted and eventually, that means people just leave period.”

CUPE and the province last met in February, but walked away with no deal. Their last conciliation meeting is set for March 24.

“If we don’t get a deal, 48 hours after the conciliation date, we’re in a strike position,” Martin said. “We’re not going to make that decision lightly, but we’re not going to wait forever.

“We will be optimistic until we can no longer be optimistic. We don’t want to strike.”

CUPE has previously said one of its major issues in negotiations are wages. It says Nova Scotia long-term care workers are the lowest paid in Atlantic Canada.

“We’re not looking for millions,” Martin said. “We’re looking for members to no longer live in poverty. I would hope the investment is worth it.”

CTV News Atlantic has reached out to the provincial government for comment.

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