RED DEER, AB.- Employees at the Aspen Ridge seniors’ facility in Red Deer now have a collective agreement.
Approximately 130 seniors care employees, and members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) ratified the agreement in a vote on Saturday.
A tentative agreement between AUPE and Symphony Senior Living, the company that runs Aspen Ridge seniors’ facility, was reached Friday morning.
The strike and lockout of care staff, including Licensed Practical Nurses, Health Care Aides and other specialized support staff started Monday, Jan. 28.
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“Unfortunately our members had to go on strike to obtain industry standard wages. That is becoming more and more common in seniors health care as the government closes beds in public facilities and contracts the services to private, for-profit companies,” AUPE staff negotiator John Wevers said in a media release.
The AUPE says wages will be brought up to the industry standard by the end of the agreement, increasing compensation for Licensed Practical Nurses, Health Care Aides and support employees.
“Health care employees shouldn’t be paid less simply because they are working for a private contractor – Albertans’ medical needs demand the same level of experience and professionalism whether it is a private or public facility,” AUPE President Guy Smith said.
Workplace rights for employees- including just cause provisions, access to a grievance procedure, and seniority rights were also negotiated.
“The workplace will now have rules to ensure hours are awarded fairly by a process that is transparent and understandable,” said Wevers.
The agreement expires on Jan. 31, 2016.
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