CUPE Local Votes In Favour Of Job Action

With a vote of 94 percent CUPE (Canadian Union Of Public Employees) Local 600 has voted in favour of job action up to and including a full withdrawal of services.

CUPE Local 600 represents close to 385 social and central service workers across the province who work with people with intellectual disabilities.

The two main issues are wages and hours of work.

In a released statement Jacalyn Luterbach president of CUPE Local 600 said “recent changes to how the provincial government provides services for people living with intellectual disabilities is putting more pressure on our members.”

The statement went on to say “the current shift schedule in crisis and planned respite homes is unsustainable.”

Currently, employees at these facilities are working six days straight of eight-hour shifts with two or less days off. These shifts are a combination of day, evening and night shifts with very quick turnarounds. Often staff are working 2-3 different shifts in a week.

The union proposes moving from an eight-hour shift model to a 12-hour shift model, which is the standard throughout the health authority and at the former Valley View Centre.

The proposal would not cost the Employer any extra money and could end up saving money in terms of reducing overtime, the release stated.

The statement did not say how much of an increase in pay the workers are seeking.

The local is not in a legal strike position and will not be until an essential services agreement is negotiated with the employer sometime in the near future.