Nelson House personal care home employees set for strike

About 30 employees at Nisichawayasihk Personal Care Homein Nelson House, Man. are about to go on strike.

The Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU) workers say they want wages on parwith other personal care homes in the province.

"They are actually quite hurt," said MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky. The Nelson House employees make 27 per cent less than other personal care home workers, said Gawronsky, even though training is the same.

"Why they aren't getting the same wages? They are confused by it. They are hurt and feeling extremely disrespected."

Gawronsky said the workers have been trying for six years to achieve parity in their wages.

"[They are the] same as any other support staff and nursing homes and hospitals across Manitoba. They have the same qualification parity," said Gawronsky.

The Nisichawayashik Personal Care Home receives most of its funding from the federal government and the rest from the province.

The MGEU said it will cost $200,000 for the workers to achieve equal pay with workers in other provincial personal care homes.

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