Long-term care workers across Nova Scotia are now sharing personal stories from inside nursing homes as their strike for fair wages continues, offering a closer look at the pressures they say are becoming too much to bear.
For weeks, staff have been advocating for themselves, standing in solidarity with CUPE locals from Yarmouth to Cape Breton. Members say the exhaustion is becoming too much, and many feel left out to dry by government officials.
Many are sharing their own experiences on CUPE’s website, featuring stories about the long-term care crisis. Highlights include the meaning of their work as nurses, the mental toll it takes, and the daily struggles they face trying to pay bills on low wages while being chronically understaffed.
One story posted by Wilma F. from Inverness begins, “I have worked in LTC for 51 years and I have witnessed firsthand the lack of decent wages, respect, and fairness given to those workers.”
There are now more than 7,500 posts from members, families, and community members have been submitted to the site, according to CUPE.
They say the growing number of stories highlights the urgent need for action to guarantee safe staffing levels and what they call a “true” living wage for all workers.
CUPE says a recent public poll found that 91% of respondents agree that long-term care workers deserve a living wage, and 71% support the workers in the strike. They add only 22% believe the government’s offer is fair and Nova Scotia cannot afford to pay more than what was offered.
With more than 10,000 signatures on their petition and 8,500 emails sent to government officials, the union says there is still no word on when—or if—members will see a new offer.
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