Long-term Care Workers Release New Radio Ad: We “All” Deserve Better

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On behalf of members working in long-term care, CUPE is launching a new radio ad today, calling on the public to tell the provincial government that all workers in long-term care deserve better, including higher wages.

“We all deserve better and that includes support workers in long-term care who are an important part of the whole team that delivers care,” says Louise Riley, chairperson of the CUPE Nova Scotia Long-Term Care and Community Services Coordinating Committee. “By not extending any wage adjustments to all job classifications, the PC government is not recognizing the value these workers provide.”

“In February, the province excluded many workers from a long overdue wage adjustment. They left out dietary and kitchen staff, laundry, maintenance, recreation, and others who work in support positions in nursing homes.” says CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen, “That’s not acceptable.”

The ad will run provincewide until June 26, leading up to a “Day of Action” planned for Monday, June 27.

CUPE support staff who work in long-term care, their co-workers, and friends, will hold rallies across the province, calling on the government to increase wages for support staff too. The rallies will take place on Monday from 11 am to 1 pm. More information is available on the CUPE Nova Scotia website at ns.cupe.ca.

CUPE Nova Scotia is the second largest union in the province with more than 19,000 members. CUPE represents the largest number of workers in Nova Scotia’s long-term care sector, with more than 4,000 members at 50 nursing homes.

:sm/cope 491