Extendicare staff vote heavily in favour of strike

Workers at eight Extendicare long-term care facilities in Alberta have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
A statement by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), which represents the workers, said that recent series of votes has set the stage for the largest seniors care strike in provincial history.
The AUPE Extendicare bargaining group includes 1,200 seniors care employees and is the largest private-sector seniors care bargaining group in Alberta.
The eight Extendicare facilities provide about 1,000 seniors care beds.
Despite the favourable vote, a strike is not automatic.
The union and Extendicare will meet with a mediator July 5 in Edmonton. If there is no resolution on July 5, the union says it will plan its next steps. If a strike is called, 72 hours notice will be given.
According to the union, Extendicare is seeking net earnings rollbacks, a major reduction in sick time and a drop in the number of named holidays to the lowest number in any healthcare agreement in Alberta.
"What the employer proposes could drive experienced staff away to work at other seniors care sites," said AUPE negotiator Kevin Davediuk. "The agreement the employer wants will discourage new staff from working for Extendicare. Without an agreement that keeps and attracts new staff, elderly residents will be left to suffer and we're fighting against that."
As reported by the AUPE, worksite votes in favour of strike action were as follows: Extendicare Eaux Claires, Edmonton, 93 per cent; Extendicare Holyrood, Edmonton, 97 per cent; Extendicare Athabasca, 100 per cent; Extendicare Mayerthorpe, 96 per cent; Extendicare Cedars Villa, Calgary, 95 per cent; Extendicare Hillcrest, Calgary, 95 per cent; Extendicare Michener Hill, Red Deer, 99 per cent; Extendicare Fairmont Park, Lethbridge, 100 per cent.