CUPE 759 ratifies new contract with Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Members of CUPE 759, representing outside workers employed by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, avoiding a lockout or strike. The union’s membership voted in favour of the new contract at meetings held today. The collective agreement must now be approved by the employer. The agreement is effective retroactively from November 1, 2020, until October 31, 2024. “We believe this is a fair deal for our members and for the public we serve,” says CUPE 759 President Kevin Ivey, who thanked the bargaining committee for their hard work and praised members for their support and solidarity. CUPE Local 759 represents approximately 300 members employed by CBRM who work in transit, public works, water and waste water management, parks and grounds maintenance, building and arena maintenance, as well as cleaning and janitorial services.

CUPE flag. Canadian Union of Public Employees

Union representing most continuing care assistants says more details are needed from Nova Scotia government

“Some of what we heard today was a previously announced commitment that should be well underway by now,” says Nan McFadgen, president of CUPE Nova Scotia, which represents the majority of continuing care assistants (CCAs) and other staff working in long-term care.  At a news conference held this morning, Minister Barbara Adams and Premier Tim Houston announced an investment of $57 million to recruit and retain CCAs and add more beds in long-term care.  “We’ve been calling for stronger investment, and we welcome the increase in funding that will cover 100 per cent of tuition for students who want to become CCAs. That is a good thing, and it will help with recruitment,” says Louise Riley, chair of CUPE’s long term-care and community services coordinating committee.  “But realistically, it is better wages and increased staffing levels that will keep the CCAs we have now and attract the 1,400 additional CCAs … Read more…

Rally by members of CUPE 5183, Grand View Manor in Berwick, NS

Flyer – More caring hands mean better quality of life for workers and residents

CARING HANDS DESERVE BETTER WAGES Quality care is built on relationships. The work done in long-term care and community-based care is highly personal and demanding. However, the people who take care of our most vulnerable Nova Scotians, mostly women, don’t receive fair wages. 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. There are hundreds of job vacancies right now for continuing care assistants (CCA) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) in Nova Scotia. Premier Houston has made a commitment to fill those vacancies, and to hire an additional 1,000 CCAs. But why would anyone want to work in Nova Scotia, knowing the provincial government denies us fair wages, benefits and pensions; attacks unions; and cuts public services? Download a … Read more…