Nursing home workers rally in Moncton following ‘insulting’ wage offer [video]

Unionized nursing home workers held a rally on Monday after contract negotiations came grinding to a halt last week over wages. 

Members of the NB Council of Nursing Home Unions marched to the Moncton office of Finance Minister Ernie Steeves to demand better pay.

Union leaders say wages were already low before the pandemic, with high rates of inflation worsening the situation. The sector, which saw waves of COVID-19 outbreaks at the height of the crisis, has also been marked by employee retention and recruitment problems. 

The NBCNHU’s collective agreement expired in October. The latest proposal from the NB Nursing Home Association includes a six per cent increase over five years, the union said in a statement. 

At the end of that five-year period, workers would see their pay increase by just $1.24 per hour, according to the union. 

“An offer like that is extremely insulting to the workers, as well as an insult to the process of negotiations,” Sharon Teare, president of the NBCNHU, told the NB Media Co-op. 

The NBCNHU is calling for workers to receive a $13 raise over three years, with a $5 increase in the first year followed by $4 in the two subsequent years. 

Nursing homes are funded by the provincial government but are run by private operators in New Brunswick.

Most of them are not-for-profit community-based organizations, but for-profit corporations have an increasing presence in New Brunswick’s long-term care sector.

Labour leaders argue that years of underfunding have undermined working conditions and quality of care in nursing homes. 

“Five-four-four will bring the workers to the floor” — a reference to the demand for a $13 per hour raise — was the slogan chanted by marchers as they made their way along the sidewalk on Mountain Road. 

Perhaps 150 people turned out for the rally, which took place in the parking lot of a retail plaza which is home to Steeves’ constituency office. 

There was a moment of confusion when a man who identified himself as the property owner approached NBCNHU president Sharon Teare at the mic and demanded that protesters leave, saying they were disrupting business at the plaza.

After a brief exchange, the rally continued for about 10 minutes and protesters soon dispersed.  

The union bargains with the NB Nursing Home Association, which represents some 50 employers.

That association has “no ability to negotiate the monetary package” that it receives from the provincial government, according to Teare. 

Several labour leaders delivered speeches, including CUPE National President Mark Hancock. He called the latest offer “really low-ball,” noting the increased cost of living. 

Julie Weir, CEO of the NB Nursing Home Association, declined to comment for this story, citing the ongoing negotiations. 

The provincial government didn’t respond to a request for an interview with Minister Steeves. A spokesperson provided a brief statement by email.

“Nursing homes play a vital role in the long-term care continuum and the Department of Social Development wants to support these facilities and help their staff succeed,” the statement said. 

“We value the work of all nursing home employees and look forward to seeing a collective agreement reached with this group. We are unable to speak directly to the ongoing negotiations.” 

The NB Council of Nursing Home Unions, part of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, includes roughly 4,400 members. 

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David Gordon Koch is a journalist with the NB Media Co-op. This reporting has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Stations and Users (CACTUS).