MEDIA RELEASE: NSGEU Opposes Cuts to Long-Term Care

The Liberal government is once again taking aim at Nova Scotia’s most vulnerable, cutting the funding for many of our province’s long-term care facilities.

NSGEU members working in long-term care facilities often work in difficult and dangerous situations. These facilities are insufficiently funded and staffed, even without taking into account this latest round of cuts.

Part of their $3.6 million reduction is significant to facilities’ basic allowance for small equipment. This isn’t just furniture: it includes important medical equipment that is necessary for patient care.

“This government says they want to stop people from entering long-term care facilities by keeping them in their homes, but they aren’t supporting either program adequately,” said NSGEU acting President, Jason MacLean.

“Minister Glavine needs to stop blaming the workers and their wages for the irresponsible cuts his government is choosing to make.”

Overall long-term care funding only increased by $7 million from last year, which represents an increase of just 1%, hardly enough to deal with increasing costs, let alone long-overdue improvements, such as increased staffing levels.

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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 Scotian’s count on every day.

For more information, please contact:
Holly Fraughton, NSGEU Communications Officer
424.4063 (office)
471.1781 (cell)
hfraughton@nsgeu.ca