Saskatoon care home workers escalating strike action [Video]

Workers at group homes run by LutherCare Communities in Saskatoon are escalating their strike action.

Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West) says starting May 1, they will withdraw some services including managing dirty duties and cutlery.

This is in addition to their existing withdrawal of transportation services for residents.

The two sides have been at odds over several issues during contract negotiations including wages and days off during the week.

SEIU-West says the employer suggested adding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a holiday in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, they failed to mention their plan to offset the cost by reducing employees’ wages by 1 per cent.

The union criticized this move, noting that management staff received the holiday without a similar wage deduction.

Earlier this week the union said shifts have become shorter, to the point that even full-time staff fined themselves continuously working seven …