Personal care home workers in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation could go on strike Nov. 28 – Thompson Citizen
November 25, 2016
Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) members at the personal care home in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) will be on the picket line Monday if the employer doesn’t improve its offer, the union says.
MGEU Local 367 members’ collective agreement expired March 31 and they rejected a final offer from the employer June 30, but allowed NCN, which operates the 24-bed personal care home, time to seek further funding from the federal government. Approximately 30 members approved a strike mandate in an Oct. 13 vote. The main sticking point for the union is the fact that they are currently being paid 27 per cent less than workers at other personal care homes in Manitoba. The MGEU estimates it would cost about $200,000 to pay these workers the same amount as other personal care home workers.
“We’re caught in a funding dispute between the local band and the federal government,” said MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky. “I’ve had conversations with the local chief and the federal labour minister. They both know the issues and the path we need to move forward on. They need to work together, show leadership and get this resolved before the strike begins.”
