Counsellors and support staff at adult residential centres and group homes are gearing up for a strike vote after two days of unproductive conciliation meetings. The employees work at residential homes and facilities across the province, from Sydney to Yarmouth, and are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. “The employer presented us with a final offer Tuesday morning and refused to look at our counterproposals,” says CUPE National Representative Kim Cail. “In fact, we have had no meaningful negotiations at all, with the employer electing to go straight to conciliation after a half day meeting in May.” The government is offering counsellors a wage adjustment equal to what was given to Continuing Care Assistants in the province, however, counsellors have more responsibilities than CCAs and have historically been paid more, says Cail. “Counsellors administer medications and treatments and are frequently exposed to extreme violence and high behaviours,” says … Read more…

Administrative and support staff at Cape Breton University (CBU) voted to accept the employer’s offer on Friday, Sept. 15, ending the possibility of job action. The employees are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3131. The three-year agreement includes wage increases of 4.15 percent in the first year, and 2.25 and 2 percent in years two and three. Additionally, all employees will be upgraded to a new pay band, which means wages will rise by about 8 percent in the first year. “This could not have been achieved without very diligent work on behalf of the bargaining committee, and knowing that we had the support of the members” said CUPE Local 3131 President Allana Serroul. “The bargaining team was pleased to be able to achieve a fair wage increase for the members, many of whom have been struggling to pay their bills.” The new collective agreement … Read more…