SEIU-West members who work at Luthercare Communities Group Homes in Saskatoon were joined by their President Barbara Cape to deliver valentines messages to their employer on February 14. Outside the building, supporters blasted their heartbreak playlist and waved at cars to show support for these skilled professional care providers.
“These members have been without a contract for over 12 months, but unfailingly continue to provide care for their clients,” said Barbara Cape, President of SEIU-West. “Furthermore, what’s being offered in bargaining doesn’t recognize their skill and professionalism.”
It’s important to note that many workers in the Community-Based Organizations sectors, like the staff at LutherCare Communities Group Homes, do work that is same or similar to the healthcare sector for significantly less pay.
This round of bargaining is more than just wages; it’s about fairness and equity. Particularly the addition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to the list of statutory holidays in the collective agreement for union staff. Currently, September 30 is provided as a statutory holiday to non-union and out-of-scope employees of LutherCare Communities Group Homes, but not to their unionized workers.
“We are calling on the CEO, Gabe Lafond, to end the heartbreak of our members and show them the love and appreciation for the work they do to ensure their residents live in a supportive, and healthy environment by negotiating a fair wage increase and adding the stat holiday for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,” Cape added.
