Wages, hours of work top issues: CUPE
Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 600 voted on Oct. 23 by 94 per cent to take job action up to and including a full withdrawal of services in Saskatchewan.
The two main issues at the bargaining table are wages and hours of work, according to CUPE.
“Recent changes to how the provincial government provides services for people living with intellectual disabilities is putting more pressure on our members,” says Jacalyn Luterbach, CUPE, Local 600 president. “Workload and caseload are increasing across the board and in every classification, and the current shift schedule in crisis and planned respite homes is unsustainable.”
Currently, employees at these facilities are working six days straight of eight-hour shifts with two or less days off. These shifts are a combination of day, evening and night shifts with very quick turnarounds. Often staff are working tow or three different shifts in a week. Employees are exhausted with very little time off for home life, says the union.
“Members have also reported fatigue, health problems, and mood issues all from the lack of rest away from work. As a result, we are seeing increased sick time, increased reliance on overtime, and increased mandating by the employer,” says Luterbach.
CUPE is proposing moving from an eight-hour shift model to a 12-hour shift model, which is the standard throughout the health authority and at the former Valley View Centre. This proposal would not cost the employer any extra money and could end up saving money in terms of reducing overtime, says the union.
The local is not yet in a legal strike position and will not be until essential service negotiations are complete. Negotiations on essential services are expected to start in the near future, says the union.
CUPE 600 represents close to 385 social and central service workers across the province.
