Morale remains strong among striking VON workers

Dispute being watched by 6,000 poorly paid
home care workers across the province

Corner Brook - The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE) says morale remains strong among Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) strikers in Corner Brook.

More than 40 VON workers marched Sept. 17 from their picket line at VON headquarters in Corner Brook to the Co-op Building, where the VON was conducting training for people interested in entering the home support profession.

While assembling for the march, picketers were accosted by Eileen Pitcher, executive director of VON's Corner Brook branch, who suggested striking NAPE members should return to work for the sake of their clients.

Says NAPE president, Leo Puddister: "There's a collective bargaining process, which VON needs to learn to respect."

No contract for 17 months

Some 63 home care workers and associated support staff employed by the Corner Brook Branch of the VON have been engaged in a legal strike since August 2, 2004. These workers have been without a contract since February 28, 2003. Major issues outstanding are a 50-cent-an-hour wage increase and minimal paid sick leave.

Home care workers employed by the VON's Corner Brook Branch provide care to approximately 150 people from the Bay St. George region to Daniel's Harbour on the Great Northern Peninsula.

Home support workers allow the elderly and people with disabilities to remain in their homes instead of forcing them to occupy beds in hospitals and nursing homes. Their efforts also allow people to be discharged from hospital earlier.

Their work provides enormous savings for this province's health care system and has an immensely positive impact on their clients' quality of life. Yet the 6,000 home care workers in this province continue to be the lowest paid people employed in health care. (NUPGE)

Web posted by NUPGE: 22 September 2004

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