Long Term Care

LTC Bargaining Update – Bargaining Dates Cancelled by Employer

The next two bargaining dates, previously scheduled for September 24 and 25, have been cancelled by the employer, citing the need to review a recently concluded agreement with another union. At this time, the employer has been given no mandate on wages. After four previous bargaining dates, this is disappointing, but not surprising from the Houston government.

On September 23 the committee will attend the opening of the Nova Scotia Legislature for the fall session. Our hope is to draw attention to our sector and our struggles, and call out the Houston government for once again delaying our bargaining and new contract. If you are able, please join us. The more in attendance, the louder our message.

We are also planning a lunchtime rally to be held during the Long Term Care and Community Services conference to be held in Pictou on October 22 and 23. More information about timing, speakers, and transportation will be sent closer to the date.

Please keep an eye on your email or our website for further updates about bargaining, the work of the committee, or sector-wide events.

LTC Bargaining Update – First Day of Bargaining Goes Well

Bargaining

Lead table bargaining, headed by St. Vincent’s Guest House, began on August 14th with our first exchange of proposals. The bargaining team discussed the priority items affecting our sector and tabled wage increases for all classifications that would, if agreed to, bring those trailing behind the rest of Atlantic Canada up. In addition to this position, we will be focusing our messaging around “Flat 5,” which echoes our proposals for $5 increases for every classification. We have four further bargaining dates scheduled in September.

This week, we asked members at St. Vincent’s Guest House to record short videos of themselves offering encouraging words to the bargaining committee that we could share to social media as one longer message of support and spread the word that bargaining has begun—with the full and earnest support of the membership. If you want to send a message to the lead table too, record a quick video in selfie mode on your phone and upload it to: https://www.dropbox.com/request/WSZnOjGo7nvqHSsr8xGx

Committee Actions

At the beginning of August, we also held two strike preparation days which provided education, support, and a chance for members to ask questions about what potential job action could look like in the future. While we don’t want to go on strike and hope bargaining continues smoothly, the committee believes it’s important for the sector to be prepared, so we will continue to provide education and further communication to keep all members in the loop.

Please keep an eye on your email or our website for further updates about bargaining, the work of the committee, or sector-wide events.

LTCC Committee Update – Annual Meeting Day Set

Local 1082 held a meeting with Tammy Martin on July 7th. This was to see where they stand with Lead Table preparations. They have completed a great deal of work, however there is more to still be done. We came up with a slogan at the AGM in May “It’s Time” well we moved past that and now here we are “It’s Past Time”. We are getting ready for the first date we have for August 14th and 15th. Updated will be given.
We have a save the date for our annual meeting October 21st and 22nd. This is the new fall date. This will be a bargaining meeting for Community Services. There will be other items to cover for Long Term Care.

LTC Bargaining Update – Lead Table Chosen

The committee met with the new Long Term Care Coordinator, Tammy Martin, to discuss the current state of long term care and the progress of bargaining. Together, with the support of the Human Rights Representative Jenna Brookfield, we updated Tammy on how things are going in the sector and established a new and improved strategic bargaining plan. We set goals regarding the lead table protocol for St. Vincent’s (CUPE 1082), the function of the bargaining committee, and planned future educational workshops for locals.

We understand that consistent communication is of the utmost importance to our fellow members, so we committed to providing more frequent updates. We also plan to hold more virtual and in person meetings so that locals can attend and update each other and the committee on the status of their Essential Service Agreements (ESAs) and local bargaining.

This update is the first of many to come as we strive for improved communication with our fellow members. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local’s president, your Area VP, or your local’s servicing representative.

Download the LTC-DCS background for your virtual meetings

Looking for an awesome background for your next union meeting? Here’s a background for members of the CUPE NS Long Term Care and Community Services Coordinating Committee.

Right-click on this image to download the background to your computer
(or click on this link: https://bit.ly/3Gq0mIj).

Zoom background (jpeg)

Need help setting up the background? Here’s how… 

Zoom: support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/204674889-Zoom-Rooms-Customized-Background#h_444d175e-e1cb-4d01-884b-f9388b589d98 

Teams: support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-your-background-for-a-teams-meeting-f77a2381-443a-499d-825e-509a140f4780

Google Meets: http://support.google.com/meet/answer/10058482?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop

Nova Scotia’s healthcare unions had a long overdue opportunity to present to the provincial government’s Standing Committee on Health today, about how we can fix our long-term care sector.

(Remember when we used to have a functioning legislature?)

Go to the 47 minute mark to hear CUPE SCFP researcher Govind Rao talk about the desperate need for improved staffing ratios.

CUPE Nova Scotia represents 5,700 frontline workers in LTC, making them, far and away, the largest union in this sector.

NSGEU Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union Unifor Canada Holly Fraughton Colleen Reynolds Coleen Logan

Go to the 47-minute mark to hear CUPE Researcher Govind Rao talk about the desperate need for improved staffing ratios in long term care. His remarks were made to the Legislative Standing Committee on Health.

Watch:https: