NSGEU Local 32, Yarmouth/Argyle Home Support Staff, Vote to Strike

Halifax – Members of NSGEU Local 32, home support staff in the Yarmouth/Argyle area, have voted 94 per cent in favour of a strike to back up their bargaining demands as they prepare for conciliation.

Local 32 is the fourth of 14 home support locals represented by the NSGEU that will be holding strike votes this month. The key issue at stake is wage parity, as they are still paid less to do the same work that is being done in hospital and long-term care settings.

“Home support workers play a critical role within our healthcare system. They have the same training and they do the same type of work, but they are working under very different conditions outside of the typical healthcare setting. They certainly deserve the same hourly wage their counterparts receive,” says Joan Jessome, President of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union, “This local has sent a strong message of support to their bargaining committee as they head into conciliation.”

Earlier this month, NSGEU Local 30 (Home Support Digby/Clare), Local 40 (Home Support, VON Tri-County) and Local 85 (VON Pictou County) voted 100 per cent, 92 per cent and 99 per cent, respectively, in favour of striking to back their bargaining demands.

There are approximately 38 members of Local 32 who provide home support services for clients in the Yarmouth/Argyle region.

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The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union represents over 30,000 women and men who provide quality public services Nova Scotians count on every day.

 For more information or to arrange an interview with NSGEU President, Joan Jessome, please contact:

Holly Fraughton, NSGEU Communications Officer

424.4063 (office)

471.1781 (cell)

hfraughton@nsgeu.ca