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Points West negotiations go cold

Early Friday morning the voices of Points West Living Cold Lake healthcare aid staff could be heard loud and clear as they braved 31-below temperatures. Healthcare aid workers were locked out as of 8:45 a.m.
Points West Living healthcare aids and AUPE representatives hold a demonstration outside of Points West Living in Cold Lake after being locked out.
Points West Living healthcare aids and AUPE representatives hold a demonstration outside of Points West Living in Cold Lake after being locked out.

Early Friday morning the voices of Points West Living Cold Lake healthcare aid staff could be heard loud and clear as they braved 31-below temperatures.

Healthcare aid workers were locked out as of 8:45 a.m. Friday morning by Points West Living in Cold Lake, and in response held a strike along with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE).

In late September, the same group was crowded outside of Points West Living hosting a rally, after the Alberta government announced the establishment of a Dispute Inquiry Board (DIB), putting a hold on all strikes while negotiations continued between the AUPE and senior care workers staff, and Points West Living.

After months of deliberating, Points West Living agreed to participate in Voluntary Interest Arbitration (VIA), at the request of the Alberta government after the two parties failed to come to an agreement even with the help of the DIB, who recommended an increase in wages and benefits by eight per cent over a three-year term.

The AUPE and healthcare aid staff disagreed, and rejected the arbitration.

“Because of what happened with the DIB, our members have no faith that that process would work either, so they voted almost unanimously Thursday night to reject the VIA, and so that meant that it was game on for the lockout,” explained Mike Dempsey, vice-president of the AUPE.

“We are shocked by the decision of AUPE and employees to reject this attempt at reaching an agreement,” said Doug Mills, CEO of Points West Living. “The union has claimed shortcomings in training and staffing are at the heart of this matter.”

Mills continued, that by rejecting the arbitration, “it's become clear that is not the case.”

Dempsey begged to differ, and said it is not about money it's about the lack of staff and training. In some cases healthcare aids are taking on the duties of housekeepers as well as their regular duties and are issuing meds and seeing patients, but are also cleaning up.

“They are doing things that could cross contaminate and cause issues with the residents,” Dempsey noted.

There are also some scheduling issues, where a staff member working with a senior for sometime will have a change in schedule.

Dempsey said, “Because of those issues the residents often see different healthcare aids all of the time, and that is very upsetting.”

In total, there were about 30 employees who have been locked out, while in the meantime; temporary staff has been brought in to take over staffing duties.

These temporary workers are also known as SCABS, who “take the job of another person when there is a contract dispute,” explained Dempsey.

Lockouts can last anywhere from days to months, and the AUPE and healthcare aids are wiling to brave the cold until their voices are heard.

“We are here for the long run, we will do whatever it takes to get a deal that is acceptable to our members, and is good for the residents as well,” emphasized Dempsey.

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