Members working at the Nisichawayasihk Personal Care Home (PCH), Local 367, in Nelson House will be on strike by month’s end if the employer doesn’t improve its offer.

After reaching a strike mandate in October – following six years of fighting for wage parity with counterparts in other areas of the province – a November 28 strike date has been set by the bargaining committee.

“These members care deeply for their clients who are elders in their community. But they continue to be so desperately underpaid,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “These workers are paid 27% less than others in the province.”

About thirty members are set to strike. The MGEU estimates it will cost the employer approximately $200,000 for these workers to achieve parity with their counterparts in other provincial PCHs.

“We’re caught in a funding dispute between the local Band and the federal government. 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,” added Gawronsky.

Nurses working at the same facility took job action in the spring of 2015 and were successful in achieving wage parity.