Province steps in to avoid seniors home strike

The province has stepped in to stop a looming strike at an Edmonton seniors home, CBC News has learned.

More than 100 nursing aides and licensed practical nurses at the Hardisty Care Centre at 6420 - 101st Avenue had planned to walk off the job Saturday afternoon.

Barrie Harrison, a spokesperson withAlberta Human Services, told CBC News Thursday it has appointed a one-person Disputes Inquiry Board, which would prevent the unionized workers from holding a strike.

"Bottom line is that the Alberta Government has a responsibility to protect its citizens, especially the elderly," Harrison said.

"And the threat ofa strike or a lockout, anything that means change, especially for elderly Albertans, can create adverse health effects for them."

The inquiry board requires the employer and union to hold talks over a 45-day period.

Alberta Union of Provincial Employees President Guy Smith says wages at the care home are some of the worst in the province. He says workers are paid 20 per cent less than the rates set by the government.

Ian West, vice-president of operations of Park Place Seniors Living Inc., theVancouver company that operates the Hardisty Care Centre, told CBC News that the union's calculations are wrong and that workers are paid a fair wage.

"We don't have a high turn-over of staff because they're not disgruntled," West said.

West said he is optimistic a new agreement can be reached, and suggested the union's decision to strike was designed to "embarass" the provincial government as it approaches an election.

Smith said an agreement proposed by a third-party negotiator was accepted by workers in January, but rejected by management at Hardisty Care Centre.

West said management on Wednesday proposed a salary increase of 10 percent over three years, but that was turned down by the union.