Long-term care workers from the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home voted 100 per cent in favour of a strike mandate. Stock Image Photo by RF Stock /RF StockArticle contentLong-term care workers from the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home voted 100 per cent in favour of a strike mandate last week, the union representing them announced on Wednesday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“As inspiring as it is to see my fellow long term care workers come together to fight for a better contract, the truth is that none of us want to be in this position,” said Laurie MacNeil, president of CUPE 3630, in a press release.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“We want to take care of our residents; we want to continue doing the work we love. That’s the truth. But the government’s refusal to offer us a fair deal that acknowledges both the work we do, and the increased cost of living forced us into a corner.”Article contentIn the release, the union says several essential classifications in long-term care, such as dietary aside and seamstresses, make less than $20 an hour, putting them behind the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ living wage estimates for Nova Scotia.Article content“They’re not alone. Classifications such as cooks and maintenance also make several dollars less than their counterparts in other Atlantic provinces,” reads the release.Article contentTammy Martin, CUPE long-term care coordinator, said the solution isn’t changing jobs but rather paying workers what they deserve.Article content“When we talk wages, regardless of the job or classification, there’s always someone who says, ‘well, they should get a different job,’ and my response to that is a question in return: who will take care of our elderly if every long-term care worker leaves the sector? What are we supposed to do then?” she said in a release.Article contentLast week, members of CUPE 1876 representing workers at Northside Community Guest Home voted 97 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.Article contentCUPE long-term care workers in the Sydney area will be gathering outside of Mayflower Mall in Sydney on Dec. 5 from 2-4 p.m., for an information picket to raise further awareness about their bargaining issues.Article content
Long-term care workers vote in favour of strike in Port Hawkesbury
