Please see attached links for more information about Unifor’s letter to Premier Houston and Minister Adams regarding a financial mandate.
Article: https://www.unifor.org/news/all-news/ns-long-term-care-workers-demand-mandate-premier-houston-two-years-after-agreement
Sign the letter: https://www.unifor.org/campaigns/all-campaigns/negotiate-long-term-care-now
New bargaining dates for Long Term Care have been set for November 7th, 17th and 18th. LTC Locals are starting to take strike votes this week. We are not striking at this time however, we want the government to know “We mean business” if they do not have a mandate that works for our members. All Classifications deserve better.
We have our LTC and DCS meetings in New Glasgow on October 21st and 22nd. During that time there will be bargaining proposals for DCS and strike prep education for all attending. We will be holding a rally at Premier Houston’s office on October 22nd. The more we show the government we are united the stronger we stand.
We will be starting our radio campaign at the end of the month. Tune into local stations to hear those. Once this is done we will setup days of action in your area and we are looking for participants once the dates are determined.
in solidarity,
Comms Officer Kimberley Loppie
Long Term Care Rally will be held on October 22, 2025.
Location: Premier Houston’s office
2042-2 Queen Street
Westville NS
Time : 12:00pm -1:00pm
All locals are welcome
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.
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.
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.
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).
Need help setting up the background? Here’s how…
Google Meets: http://support.google.com/meet/answer/10058482?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop
