Private long-term care facility workers launch strike
About 3,000 workers on strike in 42 different senior residences across Quebec
The largest strike to hit private long-term care homes acrossQuebec starts today.
For the first time ever, more than 3,000 workers will hold rotating walkouts in favour of better working conditions. This will affect 42private long-term care homes in the province.
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The strike is also meant to put pressure on employers to raise wages to $15 per hour.
"These people take care of our elders," Danielle Legault of the SQEES-FTQ said. "They make sure that our mother, father, grandmother arewell taken care of. So those people do deserve a living wage."
Seniorsattendantsas well askitchen and laundrystaffare required to provide essential services but they will hold walkouts for 45 minutes duringeight-hour shifts.
During the strike, only one meal option will be available to residents in the long-term care facilities. Workers will also refrain from mopping floors and making beds.
Negotiationsbetween the union and their employers will continue over the next few weeks.