A chef at a long-term care facility in Arichat, Cape Breton says the residents are like family, living in such a small community, but the work they do is not understood by the province.
St. Anne Community and Nursing Care Centre is one of 32 homes that have voted to strike across Nova Scotia over the last several months, fighting for better wages.
Mike Sampson tells Acadia News he has worked at the facility for nine years and is one of five or six staff members who take great care in what they do, making home cooked meals for the 30 residents who live there.
“You don’t just cook. You’ve got to make sure that everybody has the right textures and the right type of food because a lot these people are compromised,” says Sampson.
“Some have celiac disease. Some have had strokes, so they can’t eat solid foods. There’s a lot to the work that we do.”
At times they will get a chance to chat with the residents, get to know them personally and their preferences.
“Sometimes they’ll tell you, ‘Oh you haven’t made bread pudding in a long time. Could you make some for me?'” explains Sampson.
However, now that staff have voted to strike it may not be long before they walk off the job.
Sampson says it’s not something that they want to do but feel they should be paid fairly.
“I mean, we haven’t had a contract signed in over two years,” says Sampson. “A lot of people in the kitchens and environmental are only making a little over $18 an hour.”
He says there are some who are struggling and just starting families, so it’s not easy for them to make a living.
“We do work that’s important. I mean, we’re feeding some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. They’ve always taken care of us, so it’s our turn to take care of them,” says Sampson.
Negotiations
CUPE Local 5032 have been without a collective agreement since October 2023, according to President Annette Boudreau.
She says as bargaining continues, they will not be accepting anything less than a “decent living wage for all LTC employees”.
“The government offering cents as an increase for the last few years is a slap in the face for the hard-working employees that go above and beyond to secure, dignity, respect and safety for the most vulnerable Nova Scotians that need assistance with their activities of daily living.”
She says she voted for Premier Tim Houston because she thought he was doing a good job with healthcare.
“But he has made it clear that WE don’t have his respect. He once called us health care heroes. Where did that change,” asks Boudreau.
Long term care homes, she says, are not just buildings but homes for parents, grandparents and loved ones.
“The people who care for them every day deserve to be valued, respected, and paid a wage that reflects the important work they do.”
Conciliation talks are scheduled for Thursday.
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