Many community health-care workers in our province are fighting for higher wages.
The CUPE Long Term Care and Community Services Coordinating Committee organized a ‘Day of Action’ yesterday.
Outside MLA Zach Churchill’s office in Yarmouth, about a dozen gathered to show support.
Greg Williams, President of local CUPE 5248 says many of the workers don’t have a pension plan.
“For many years now, they’ve been advocating for a pension plan, but the province doesn’t think it’s important for them to have that important recruitment and retention tool,’ said Williams.
He says better pay and more protection against workplace violence are also major issues.
They want the province to come back to the bargaining table with a fair deal.
NS Federation of Labour President Danny Cavanaugh joined the workers at the rally.
“Our message to the government is that you can’t call people a hero one day, then throw them to the curb the next. You need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk,” said Cavanaugh.
The CUPE Long Term Care and Community Services Coordinating Committee represents 7,000 members across Nova Scotia.
After a province wide demonstration last year, Community Services and Long-Term Care Minister Barbara Adams said they are willing to discuss the issues at the bargaining table.
Rallies were also held yesterday in Halifax and New Glasgow.
