Nova Scotia government fails to offer fair deal to long-term care workers as prepares for strike

Yesterday, CUPE's lead bargaining table, which represents long-term care workers across the province and negotiates the economic pattern for the sector, has reached an impasse.

"I'm disappointed but I can't say I'm surprised," admitted CUPE Long-term Care Coordinator Tammy Martin. "At every turn, this government has tried to force us to sign the same deal, and this time was no different. For the fifth time, they presented us with essentially the same deal and expected us to take it. And, like every time before, we said no. Our members deserve better."

"It's insulting," said CUPE Long-term and Community Care Committee Chairperson Christa Sweeney. "They tell the media that they've settled hundreds of collective agreements during their time; they say on the Legislature floor that they respect the bargaining process; they claim to respect health care workers and what we do. They say a lot, but their actions don't line up. If they respected us, if they respected bargaining, they'd actually bargain, not try and force the same deal on us over and over."