The union representing thousands of long-term care workers in Nova Scotia says negotiations with the provincial government have broken off again, which means a month-long strike will continue. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the government agreed to return to the bargaining table for the second time since the strike began on April 13, but the union says the province offered a “recycled version” of the same deal they’ve presented since last August. “The message that government is sending us, sending the thousands of striking workers we represent, sending every single working family in Nova Scotia, is that they don’t think we deserve to earn enough money to live on,” said Christa Sweenet, long term and community care committee chair, in a news release. “Every time we come to the table, we’ve lowered our proposal to the tune of millions of dollars, yet the government comes with pennies in comparison.” CUPE represents 52 long-term care facilities in the province. Currently 36 sites are on strike, which means roughly 3,600 workers are on the picket line. Glen Haven Manor in New Glasgow, which has 200 resident beds, was the latest home to go on strike, hitting the picket line on Wednesday. The union has said its major focus is improved wages for workers. The government says it has offered the following: Earlier this month, both sides agreed to resume talks, but they soon broke off. Negotiations were led by chief conciliation and mediation officer Peter Lloyd. There are currently no further scheduled bargaining meetings. The full list of the 36 long-term care homes on strike includes: With files from The Canadian Press For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
