CUPE members who work in long-term care and community services will hold rallies across the province as part of a “Day of Action” on Tuesday, November 30, calling on the Nova Scotia government to take immediate action to support long-term care workers and residents.
“The province must act now to increase staffing levels and wages,” says Louise Riley, chair of CUPE’s Long Term Care and Community Services Coordinating Committee. “For decades, the government has imposed a wage freeze or an increase far below the rate of inflation. Many workers in these sectors must work two jobs, work at more than one facility, or work overtime, just to get by.”
“Where’s the incentive to continue working in a job with low wages, cancelled vacations, mandated overtime, and often working short?” adds Riley.
The rallies are scheduled to take place at 11 am at the following locations:
| CITY / TOWN | ADDRESS | NEARBY FACILITY |
| Amherst | 147 South Albion Street | Mall parking lot |
| Amherst | 11 Sproule Street | High Crest Springhill Home for Special Needs |
| Arichat | 2313 Hwy. 206 | St. Anne Community and Nursing Care Centre |
| Baddeck | Town Centre | Town Centre |
| Barrington | 96 Bayside Drive | Bay Side Home |
| Berwick | 195 Cottage Street | Office of MLA Chris Palmer |
| Bridgetown | 190 Church Street | Adult Residential Centre |
| Chester | 4080 Hwy. 3 | Office of MLA Danielle Barkhouse |
| Eastern Passage | 1909 Caldwell Road | Ocean View Continuing Care |
| Glace Bay | 275 South Street | Seaview Manor |
| Guysborough | 10558 Hwy. 16 | Milford Haven Home for Special Care |
| Inverness | 15857 Central Avenue | Inverness Legion |
| Halifax | 2080 Windsor Street | St. Vincent’s Guest Home |
| 1430 Purcell’s Cove Road | Arborstone Enhanced Care | |
| 50 Shoreham Lane | Melville Lodge | |
| Liverpool | 271 Main Street | Office of MLA Kim Masland |
| Lockeport | 73 Howe Street | Surf Lodge Nursing Home |
| Lunenberg | 25 Blockhouse Hill Road | Harbour View Haven |
| New Glasgow | 739 East River Road | Glen Haven Manor |
| North Sydney | 11 Queen Street | Northside Community Guest |
| Pictou | 25 Front Street | Office of Minister of Community Services Karla MacFarlane |
| Shelburne | 104 King Street | Near Mr. Fish restaurant |
| St. Peter’s | Main Street | Old Irving parking lot |
| Sydney | 1724 Kings Road | Harbourstone Enhanced Care |
| Yarmouth | 392 Main Street | Office of MLA Zack Churchill |
“The province is not acting fast enough. These sectors are in crisis and these workers are burnt out and dropping out, and residents are not receiving the complete care they deserve,” says CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen.
“Many changes are needed, including legislation that will ensure nursing homes deliver a minimum of 4.1 direct care hours, per resident per day, to meet the basic needs of residents,” says McFadgen.
CUPE members are asking the public to contact their MLA, Minister of Seniors and Long-term Care Barbara Adams, and Premier Tim Houston, and ask them to increase staffing levels and wages immediately. Contact information is available at nslegislature.ca/members/profiles/contact.