Strike vote looming for Lethbridge care centre workers

Employees at Edith Cavell Care Centre in Lethbridge are one step closer to walking the picket line.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees hosted meetings with its 120 unionized employees Wednesday, who have been working without a contract since November of 2015.

AUPE negotiator Dale Perry said the union has waited long enough for a deal to get done, and will file an application with the Alberta Labour Relations Board, asking permission to hold a strike vote.

“A strike is always the last option, but the membership at Edith Cavell are prepared to do what’s necessary to get a collective agreement done,” Perry said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "A strike is always the last option, but the membership at Edith Cavell are prepared to do what's necessary to get a collective agreement done," Perry said.

“The meetings were well attended yesterday and the message to the employer will be, ‘come back to the bargaining table or we will do what’s necessary.'”

Earlier this year, a mediator tabled a recommended deal that was approved by the union, but rejected by the owners, Chantelle Management.

According to Perry, the company said it is waiting on more funding from Alberta Health Services before it can agree to any increase in employee compensation, but the union calls that argument “smoke in mirrors.”

As of the time of publishing this story, several calls and emails to Chantelle Management requesting an interview or comment had not been returned.

The application for a strike vote will be filed Friday in Edmonton. Perry expects it will be approved within two weeks, with the strike vote to follow soon after.

If the employees vote in favour, they have 120 days to begin a strike, with 72 hours notice given to Chantelle Management.