Employees at the Amherst and District Residential Services Society are preparing to walk off the job if government doesn’t come back to the table with a fair wage offer. The employees, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5204, voted 93 % in favour of job action. Kim Cail, National Representative for CUPE, says the large turnout for yesterday’s strike vote was indicative of how community services workers across the province are feeling about the stalled negotiations at the lead table. “Many community services workers haven’t had a wage increase in more than three years,” says Cail. “They can’t make rent, they can’t pay their bills. It’s time for government to come back to the table with a wage offer that respects the critical services these employees provide.” Local 5204 President Lacey Robinson says all local issues were resolved last year, and members are tired of waiting for … Read more…

Employees at the Annapolis County Municipal Housing Corporation have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike if issues are not resolved at lead table bargaining. The  employees are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2859. CUPE National Representative Carl Crouse says the main issue for the employees is achieving a fair wage increase across the sector. “All local issues were resolved at the bargaining table with the employer in October,” he says. “Wages, which are bargained at the lead table, are still outstanding, along with a number of other proposals.” The employees voted 98.6 % in favour of strike action. They are the second community services local to hold a positive strike vote. Local 2859 President Christa Sweeney says the employees are stuck between a rock and a hard place. “We can’t afford to go on strike, but we can’t afford to live without a living wage either,” … Read more…

The signing of an Essential Services Agreement by employees at New Dawn Guest Home in Sydney has set the clock on the countdown to job action. The conciliation officer will now declare an impasse, giving the employer 14 days to call the union back to the bargaining table, after which time the union will be in a legal strike position. The 24 employees, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3067, care for residents with disabilities—administering medications, taking care of daily needs and managing behaviours. Bargaining stalled after conciliation in late September, and the local voted 100 percent in favour of strike in early October. “As the lead table for bargaining for Community Services, New Dawn is feeling the pressure to negotiate a fair wage package for members across the sector,” said CUPE National Representative Kathy MacLeod. “These workers haven’t seen a wage increase since April 1, 2020.” … Read more…