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“After a long period of negotiations, the employer is still unwilling to offer any improvements in any areas of the contract,” says Debra Critchley, BCGEU staff representative.
Kelowna (24 April 2012) - Members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) at Dorchester Retirement Residence in Kelowna have voted strongly in favour of strike action.
Talks broke down between the bargaining committee and Revera, the company that manages Dorchester Retirement, earlier in April. The two parties have been at the table for almost a year.
“After a long period of negotiations, the employer is still unwilling to offer any improvements in any areas of the contract,” says Debra Critchley, the staff representative negotiating the agreement.
“Revera has even rejected our proposals for improvements to bullying and harassment language.”
The employer has filed for mediation but no dates are set.
This is the third round of negotiations that BCGEU/NUPGE has undergone with Revera at Dorchester. In the last round in 2008-2009, workers were on strike for almost two months before a deal was reached.
“We are hoping that mediation will bring the parties closer together but the members have shown that they are willing to take serious job action to ensure that they get a fair and reasonable agreement,” says Critchley.
Dorchester Retirement Residence is an independent living facility in Kelowna for seniors that employs over 35 staff including bus drivers, housekeepers, food service workers and clerical staff.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE