Saskatoon care home workers escalating strike action
Workers at group homes run by LutherCare Communities in Saskatoon are escalating their strike action.
Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West) says starting May 1, they will withdraw some services including managing dirty duties and cutlery.
This is in addition to their existing withdrawal of transportation services for residents.
The two sides have been at odds over several issues during contract negotiations including wages and days off during the week.
SEIU-West says the employer suggested adding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a holiday in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, they failed to mention their plan to offset the cost by reducing employees' wages by 1 per cent.
The union criticized this move, noting that management staff received the holiday without a similar wage deduction.
Earlier this week the union said shifts have become shorter, to the point that even full-time staff find themselves continuously working seven days a week to make up enough hours.
LutherCare Communities said it offered a fair package that includes a wage increase, increased medical care leave, and a signing bonus.
It said it could not offer every weekend off due to their commitment to provide 24-7 care, but it does schedule shifts to ensure team members get two days off each week.
"We have reached out on several occasions to the union asking for clarification on their position regarding our last offer and there has been no response to date," Chief People Officer Chad Okrainetz said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.
"We believe we have offered a fair package that includes a wage increase retroactive to April 1st, 2023, increased medical care leave, a signing bonus, and the inclusion of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday," Okrainetz said.
However, SEIU-West says it has always responded to the invitation to bargain.
“Any time the employer has contacted us, they have nothing new to offer,” Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West said in the release. “We remain committed to achieving a fair Collective Agreement for our members.”
“Our members take no pleasure in the withdrawal of services, but it has taken far too long to get a fair deal to settle a long overdue Collective Agreement,” Cape added. “But until the Employer is ready to come to the table with a better proposal to conclude bargaining, the Union job action will continue.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.