Seniors’ care workers in Salmon Arm issue strike notice

SALMON ARM — UPDATE – Job action has now been postponed for members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) working for Vantage Living Inc. – owner of independent living facility Lakeside Manor in Salmon Arm. This follows 72-hour strike notice issued to the company on Friday.

Vantage Living Inc. has applied for mediation which is set for January 25, 2023. The BCGEU, representing 30 workers at this facility,

EARLIER – Members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) have issued 72-hour strike notice to Vantage Living Inc. – owner of independent living facility Lakeside Manor – as of 11:00 a.m., January 13, 2023.

The notice comes following several months of negotiations that have yet to result in an agreement.

“This dispute is about seniors’ care workers fighting for the respect and support they deserve, and the respect and support those in their care deserve,” said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. “Our members are demanding fair compensation so they can put a stop to the revolving door of poorly paid workers and deteriorating conditions at Lakeside Manor.”

The union is seeking wage increases in line with inflation so these workers can catch up and keep up with rising costs.

“This is another case of a for-profit company prioritizing the bottom line over wages and working conditions and by extension, the conditions of care residents experience” continued Smith. “For this reason, Lakeside Manor residents are also engaged and supporting members’ actions to improve conditions for everyone that lives and works in the facility.”

If no agreement is reached, job action will commence on Monday January 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with workers walking off the job and on to the picket line.

The BCGEU represents 30 workers at Lakeside Manor who voted 84 per cent in favour of strike action last October.