NSGEU Local 37, Guysborough County Home Support Workers, Vote to Strike

Guysborough – Members of NSGEU Local 37, home support staff in Guysborough County, have voted 100% in favour of a strike to back up their bargaining demands as they prepare for conciliation.

The vote was counted Sunday, February 16.

This vote completes the strike votes for all 1,600 home support workers in 14 locals the NSGEU represents province-wide. The key issue at stake is wage parity with workers who share the same qualifications and do the same work in hospital 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 is united behind their Bargaining Committee as they head into conciliation.”

Conciliation begins on Wednesday, February 19.

There are 19 members of Local 37 who provide home support services for clients in the Guysborough County area.

-30-

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:

Deedee Slye, NSGEU Communications Officer

424.4063 (office)

497-6761 (cell)

dslye@nsgeu.ca