Strike looms as talks break down between NSGEU home support workers and Northwood

Home support workers in Nova Scotia are trying to negotiate wage parity with workers in the hospital setting. Northwood is one of many who are refusing to recognize their worth.

Halifax  (21 Feb. 2014) — Talks have broken down between the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) home support staff and Northwood. The union has called an emergency meeting with its members for the evening of February 23.

Home support workers looking for wage parity, Northwood presents same offer members already rejected

“The Bargaining Committee returned to the table today, hopeful that the employer would meet our members’ demand for parity with other workers who have the same qualifications and do the same job in a hospital setting,” says Joan Jessome, NSGEU President. “Unfortunately the employer tabled the very same offer our members rejected by 97 per cent of our members on February 9.”

These members will be legally able to strike as of 12:01 on Friday, February 28.

Emergency meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 23

The emergency meeting is being held this Sunday, February 23 from 7p.m. - 9 p.m. at the NSGEU Conference Centre.

NSGEU/NUPGE home support members employed by Northwood is the first home support local out of a total of 14 who have voted to enter the conciliation process in this round of negotiations to be in a strike position. The main outstanding issue for is parity with those employees who do the same work in hospital settings.

The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2012. There are approximately 420 members employed by Northwood who provide home support services throughout the Halifax Regional Muncipality.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE