Share
Unifor long-term care members stood side-by-side with union members from across Nova Scotia outside Premier Tim Houston’s constituency office Westville, N.S., to demand his government begin negotiations, two years after their collective agreement expired.
“Tim Houston was elected because of his promise to improve working conditions for health care workers, which in turn improves the care every Nova Scotian receives, but he has yet to deliver a financial mandate for the long-term care sector,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray.
“Just a few short years ago, Premier Houston rightly called these long-term care workers ‘Heroes’ and now they have been pushed aside and forgotten. We can’t lose the momentum from his government’s early days in office when long-overdue wage issues were made right. It’s time to negotiate now, Mr. Premier!”
Unifor and SEIU members attended a rally held by CUPE Nova Scotia to demand government deliver a financial mandate to long-term care employers so negotiations can take place.
“We’ve been ready to bargain for years, but there has been one delay after another and now Nova Scotia’s long-term care workers are the lowest paid in the region,” said Murray. “There is no excuse for the disrespect being shown to those who provide essential, live-saving and life-extending care to our loved ones.”
Unifor long-term care workers are sending letters to the premier and to Minister of Long-Term Care Barbara Adams, urging them to make a decision on funding for the sector.
“Nothing can happen until the provincial government delivers a financial mandate. Workers have waited long enough,” said Murray.
Sign the letter to Premier Houston and Minister Adams here.
