EDMONTON - As many of us prepare for Christmas vacations, nurses at a southside Edmonton senior's care centre are preparing to strike.
Supported by hundreds of members of the United Nurses of Alberta, more than a dozen nurses have voted to walk off the job at Devonshire Care Centre in a last ditch effort to gain higher wages and better benefits.
The care centre provides around the clock care for more than 100 seniors, some of whom are high needs patients with conditions like dementia.
The Devonshire nurses claim their wages are about $9 dollars less than those paid to nurses at the Hardisty Care Centre, which is owned by the same company and was also embroiled in a strike this summer.
Earlier this year, a strike involving other workers from the Devonshire Care Centre was averted when the province stepped in.
Park Place Seniors living, which owns the centre, says in the most recent situation, it was willing to continue negotiations but the UNA walked away. They also say Devonshire is not funded to provide the same wages offered on the provincial wage grid.
Devonshire Care Centre is now appealing to nurses directly in a letter asking them to delay strike action until after the holidays because walking off the job at Christmas time would cause stress for both residents and their families.
"Christmas is a special time for our residents and their families. For some it may be their last celebration together," wrote site leader Karen Fitzgerald in an open letter to the registered nurses. "A strike over the Christmas period will increase the anxiety for both residents and families. Although we have contingency plans for care, we understand families will be concerned and - if we have to bring in new staff - the residents will not know the nurse providing the care."
Vice-President of Operations Ian West, who was conducting negotiations on behalf of the employer said Devonshire Care Home has developed a 2 year contingency plan to ensure continued professional RN care. Under the Labour Code, staff may remain on strike for up to two years before they are required to return at the existing wage, or resign. This contingency plan has been shared with Alberta Health.
"As always, our first priority is the care of our residents," West said. "Families can be assured that the comfort and safety of residents will be maintained."
With files from Laurel Clark, Global News
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