Staff at the Society for Treatment of Autism voted 99 percent in favour of possible strike action on Monday. The residential care workers look after adults and children with Autism living in group homes in Sydney, North Sydney and Sydney Mines. They are funded by the Department of Community Services, and represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4172. CUPE National Representative Tammy Martin says in addition to supporting the wage demands at the lead table, the workers are willing to hit the street over local issues. “A key issue for these workers is that government won’t pay them for the after-hours time they spend with clients when bringing them to appointments in Halifax,” says Martin. “They are only paid for 16 hours, while the trip may take two and a half days. They feel taken advantage of. “ Martin says the employees’ last contract expired in March … Read more…

Community services workers in Nova Scotia who work with disabled persons are hoping an online petition will help the public understand why this round of contract bargaining is so important. Talks have broken down between the government and the workers’ bargaining agent, the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The employees work at 21 different work sites across the province. “This is a sector that’s already struggling to recruit and retain staff, and now government wants to lower wages for new employees,” says CUPE National Representative Kim Cail. “The work these people do is critical and challenging, and they deserve fair compensation and decent pensions.” Christa Sweeney, chair of the Long-Term Care/Community Services Coordinating Committee, says the commitment the province has made to closing institutions and rehoming disabled adults and children in the community will require a major staffing adjustment. “This is wonderful and empowering for those who want to be … Read more…