Employees at private Quebec seniors' residences strike over wages

Employees at some private seniors' residences in Quebec have launched a 48-hour strike in a bid to secure better work conditions and higher wages.

Conchita Poonin, whoworksat Chteau Westmount, earns $13.67 an hour after 16 yearson the job.

Her starting wage was $8.01.

"They don't haveconcerns about the employees," she said.

Until Poonin, 60, cut back her hours earlier this year, she was working five days a week caring for residents helping with personalhygiene, bathing anddressing.

Workers have been calling for awage increasefromthe current average of $12.50 to $15 an hour.

Earlier this month, 3,000 employees from 42private long-term care homes held a one-day rotating strike, markingthe first time unionized workers atprivate seniors' residences have walked off the job.

The strike on Monday and Tuesdaywillaffect seniors' homes in the Montreal regionbut also in Quebec City, Trois-Rivires, Chicoutimi and Saguenay.

Some 80per cent of the striking workersare women working as housekeepers, nursing assistants, cooks and team leaders, according to the union, theSQEES-FTQ.

Essential services will continue during the strike.The union says its next step is to hold a general strike.