East Edmonton seniors home hit by strike

More than 100 licensed practical nurses and nursingaides are set to strike at an east Edmonton care centre Tuesday morning.

Pickets will set up at 7 a.m. at the 180-bed Hardisty Care Centre at 6420-101 Ave.

The dispute centres over wages.

The companyhas been attempting to reach a first contract withits employeessince December 2011.

A provincially-appointed Dispute Inquiry Board proposedHardisty hike wages to the industry standard over three years, but that was rejectedby the company, saidthe Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.

The union saidHardistypays workers 30 per cent less thancalled forin the Alberta Health Services collective agreement, but is funded by the province to pay the full rate.

"We wouldnt be in this situation if (Hardisty) was paying the industry-standard wages they get public funding for to attract and retain nursing staff that can maintain the quality of care seniors deserve," said AUPE president Guy Smith.

Company warns of long strike

Hardisty said the 30-per-cent increase in wages and benefits AUPE isdemanding can only be met by reducing work hours and laying off staff.

The company counter-offered with a 10-per-cent increase in wages plus enhanced benefits and working conditions.

"Weve offered as much as we can without compromising the care of our residents, who are primarily frail elderly or those suffering from cognitive decline," said Ian West, vice president of operationsfor Park Place Seniors Living Inc., the Vancouver company that operates the Hardisty Care Centre.

The company warned the unionshould expecta long strike after rejectingan offer of binding arbitration.

"Once the workers walk out, the impasse will only be resolved by a return to negotiations or for the government to step in if an emergency situation develops at the care home," the company said in a news release.