Home support workers with Victoria County Home Support have voted 100 per cent in favour of a strike mandate, citing no guaranteed hours, unfair wages, workplace safety and wear and tear on personal vehicles as their main issues.
A release from the Canadian Union of Public Employees states the workers have been without a contract for four years. Bargaining began seven months ago.
The union states like many other home support Continuing Care Assistants, the employees in Victoria County don’t have guaranteed hours of work. That means their hours fluctuate from week to week and are subject to change based on their client’s needs. The union adds despite the instability, workers are also expected to own a reliable vehicle.
The union’s Home Support Sector Co-ordinator Kathy MacLeod says with unpredictable hours, it is hard for the workers to make plans.