Manor staff awaiting unionization vote count

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

The ballots are ready and waiting, as soon as Grand View Manor and Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union officials agree on who should be counted in a certification vote.

Over 170 manor staff (about an 80 per cent turnout) cast ballots August 10 in the NSGEU’s second attempt to unionize works. “We tried in 2005 for a vote, but only 40 per cent were interested. We need 65 per cent to take it to a vote,” NSGEU head Joan Jessome says.

The NSGEU held meetings in Berwick earlier this year to talk to workers. Jessome says the union heard concerns about shift scheduling, how catastrophic days are accumulated and used, vacation issues and how people are moved around manor work areas. There are also broader issues, such as an aging work force, occupational health and safety enforcement and negotiated wages. “A collective agreement gives you seniority around vacations and shifts, rights are laid out and there are people to argue on your behalf,” Jessome says. “Right now, they have to advocate themselves, and that’s hard.”

Manor administrator Graham Hardy says the manor is one of likely two non-unionized long-term care facilities in Nova Scotia. “We have - or we think we have - good communications with our staff, a grievance process, our benefits and wages are competitive,” he says. “You look after your staff as a resource. We’ll work with a union - it’s staff’s decision.”

The ballots cast by continuing care assistants, dietary, laundry and activity workers; maintenance and housekeeping staff are with the Nova Scotia Labour relations Board. The manor and the union have both submitted requests for exceptions, and Jessome says there has already been talk and agreement on which categories will be excluded from the eventual vote count - which could take place anytime this fall.

Grand View Manor in Berwick is owned and operated by the Municipality of Kings.