Unifor urges long term care panel to consult workers and unions
HALIFAX, Sept. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Unifor welcomes the establishment of an expert advisory panel on Nova Scotia's long-term care system.
"The system is under-funded. Workers, most of whom are women, earn low to modest wages. The funding cuts by the McNeil government have made it harder for a system that was already challenged to deliver high quality care," said Lana Payne, Unifor's Atlantic Regional Director.
"Workers are stressed to the max, working short staffed, and worried about their patients and residents, most of whom are seniors."
The panel was announced today by Health Minister Randy Delorey.
Unifor which represents about 2,000 workers in nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the province has been voicing its concerns about the impact of cuts to nursing home budgets for some time. It was one of the union's key issues during last spring's provincial election.
The expert panel will identify ways to improve the quality of care, recommend appropriate staffing levels and advise on recruitment and retention.
Unifor urges the Minister to ensure that the panel consults and listens to the views of the people who work in the system and their unions.
"The workers in long-term care and nursing homes have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can assist the panel with their important work," said Payne.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
SOURCE Unifor
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