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Nurses, aides end 2-month strike at seniors home

LPNs and health-care aides settled their two-month strike with Hardisty Care Centre Tuesday.

About 80 healthcare workers have ended their two-month strike and are returning to work at an Edmonton seniors home.

The striking licensed practical nurses and health care aides at Hardisty Care Centre ratified their first collective agreement on Tuesday, according to the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees — Alberta’s largest union with close to 90,000 members.

“After months on the picket line, we’re satisfied we’ve come to a first contract both sides find acceptable,” AUPE President Guy Smith said in a release.

“The members at Hardisty Care Centre can go back to work with their heads held high. The endurance and resolve they’ve shown in their struggle to secure a fair contract and to improve sustainable, quality care for Alberta seniors is inspiring.”

This deal will bring the wages of licensed practical nurses and health care aides into line with Alberta Health Services current rates of pay over the life of the three-year agreement.

Staff walked off the job at Hardisty Care Centre, at 6420 101 Avenue, on May 22 over wages, saying that the B.C.-based owner was paying workers 20 per cent less than what AHS staff receive.

The healthcare workers had reached a tentative agreement with owners of Hardisty Care Centre in east Edmonton on July 20.