Strike at Nelson House personal care home pushes into second week
The strike at the Nisichawayasihk Personal Care Home in Nelson House is now into its second week.
About 30 staff, members of the Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU), want wages on par with other personal care homes in the province. They have been pushing for fair wages for six years, according to the union.
"Last week I joined members on the picket line and was amazed by their heart, spirit and commitment," MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky stated in a news release.
"We have members who are over 60 years old, with pins in their knees, walking the line each and every day — fighting for equality."
The care home receives most of its funding from the federal government and the rest from the province. The workers are paid 27 per cent less (roughly $4 per hour less) than others doing the same work in other areas of Manitoba, even though they have the same level of training, according to Gawronsky.
"We need the local band and the federal government to show some leadership and address the wage parity concerns these members have," she said.
"Let's get these members back to work with fair pay and end this strike. This is no way to begin the holidays for these families."
The picket line runs every day from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
