Striking Group Home Workers Set Up Camp at the Legislature

[Feb 20, 2007 09:42 AM]

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEB. 15, 2007

Regina: Striking members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees settled onto the frozen steps of the legislature yesterday, where they were joined by CUPE National President Paul Moist.

The group of caregivers employed by Cheshire Homes in Regina, members of CUPE Local 3207, vow to maintain their picket line in front of Saskatchewan’s legislative building until they meet with the minister responsible for group homes, Buckley Belanger, and achieve a fair contract settlement. The picket line will be up from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. every workday.

Although the provincial government gave the Regina group home an additional $97,000 last year for wage and benefit improvements, the employer is refusing to give the increase to its 35 unionized workers – a move that prompted the strike nearly a month ago. 

“The government of Saskatchewan meant for this money to go into the hands, and onto the dinner tables of the hard-working, dedicated and underpaid employees of Cheshire Homes,” Moist told the gathered picketers. “You have every right to ask: ‘Where did my money go?’”

The employees at Cheshire Homes – who care for mentally and physically challenged adults – want a meeting with Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger. So far there has been no response from his office.

“It’s not just you knocking on the doors of the Legislature, looking for fair treatment,” Moist told the Cheshire Homes strikers. “You have more than a half-million CUPE members right behind you, supporting you.”

The employees of Cheshire Homes earn a starting wage of $8.55 an hour, and have been on strike since Jan. 19.

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Contact: Mike Keith at 536-4856 or 525-5874 or Margaret Mukakigeli at 531-6863