Worker wearing scrubs in long-term care home serves meals to two seniors

Workers in Nova Scotia’s care sectors one step closer to achieving fair wages

In an unprecedented move that begins to address staffing issues in health care, including long term care, hospitals and home support, the Nova Scotia government announced today that continuing care assistants (CCAs) will receive a wage adjustment, effective Thursday, February 10, 2022. “The adjustment announced today by Premier Houston is a good start and CCAs are one step closer to receiving decent wages,” says CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen, “but it doesn’t address all the issues and job classifications.” “Bargaining remains a priority for us, however this brings CCAs who previously earned between $18.93 and $20.19 per hour to between $23.27 and $24.83 per hour,” says McFadgen. “We’re still going forward in bargaining, but this brings us closer to where we should be, bringing up the standard of living for people who work in care sectors.” Louise Riley, chairperson of CUPE’s Long Term Care and Community Services Coordinating Committee, says, “We’ve always … Read more…

Invitation for CCAs to zoom call with Premier Tim Houston on Feb. 8

Attention CCAs: Invitation to call with Premier Tim Houston on Tuesday, Feb. 8

Tuesday, February 8, at 5:30 p.m. The Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia, invites Nova Scotia’s Continuing Care Assistants to join him for a virtual conversation and Q&A via Zoom. Zoom link  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83396756356?pwd=YnZuRlh3bUF4Q1BSak1VY09JK0hjdz09 Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-term Care will also participate. Dial-in numbers Please find below a dial in option for those who are not able or who would prefer not to join via zoom. Any of the numbers below will work. Once you have dialed in, an automated voice will ask for meeting ID and passcode.   Meeting ID: 833 9675 6356 Passcode: 496082 The voice will also give instructions on how to mute and unmute which is *6. The *9 also works to raise and lower your hand when you wish to speak. Dial-in numbers: +1 778 907 2071  +1 204 272 7920  +1 438 809 7799  +1 587 328 1099  +1 647 374 4685  +1 … Read more…

Web banner. No text. Photo of young, female childcare worker painting with two children. CUPE NS logo added.

Consultation with owners of privately owned centres and non-profit staff required for successful roll-out of Nova Scotia’s universal child care system

A successful transition to a publicly funded, universal child care system in Nova Scotia will require cooperation with all stakeholder groups, says Nan McFadgen, CUPE NS president. “Transitioning child care from a subsidized business into a fully funded public service is no small task. We believe that owners of private child care centres should be treated fairly during this historical period of transition.” “Similarly, and arguably more important, we believe that the early childhood educators (ECE) and support staff, on whose labour these businesses have been built, have earned the same degree of fairness. Support staff in child care centres in Nova Scotia include program coordinators, supervisors, cleaning staff and others,” says McFadgen. “Credit is due to the federal and provincial governments for finally moving forward with this universal not-for-profit model, but I’d like to stress that communication is needed with all stakeholder groups – early childhood educators, support staff in centres, owners of for-profit centres, as well as directors of … Read more…