Provincewide rallies as long-term care workers prepare to go on strike.
CUPE workers have been without a contract since 2023, and plan to be on the picket lines Monday at 21 homes.
In Yarmouth, dozens from ‘The Meadows’ and ‘Villa St. Joseph-du-Lac’ rallied outside MLA Nick Hilton’s office on Main Street Friday.
The union is asking for a five dollar flat rate increase, on top of economic adjustments.
Greg Williams is the head of CUPE workers at ‘The Meadows’, and says the province needs to come back to the bargaining table.
“We haven’t bargained yet, it’s a take it or leave it style so far. We need to have a meaningful conversation, or else we’ll be out on the street. Residents won’t have the essential care that they need, they’ll be reduced to, in some cases, 60 percent of the staff,” said Williams.
He says we’re in an economic crisis, as the cost of living continues to climb.
Meanwhile, Nick Hilton spoke to rally members.
He’s said he’s hopeful the bargaining process will work for everyone.
“These are the community members that I’m here to represent. I want them to feel like they’re getting a good deal at the end of the day, and we also know where we stand as a government. Hopefully together, we’ll find a resolution,” said Hilton.
We’ve reached out to Seniors and Long-Term Care minister Barbara Adams’ office for comment.
