LutherCare group home workers in Saskatoon threaten job action amid stalled contract negotiations

Workers at LutherCare Communities group homes in Saskatoon say they will launch job action Wednesday evening if their union and the company cannot settle on a contract after more than a year of negotiations.

SEIU-West, which represents the workers, says the two parties have been at an impasse over wages, extended work weeks, and including National Truth and Reconciliation Day as a statutory holiday.

The union served notice on Monday that if the two can't come to an agreement by Wednesday at 6 p.m. CST, workers will refuse non-medically required transportation for people in their care at six unionized group homes in Saskatoon — the first form of job action since negotiations began, union president Barbara Cape said Tuesday.

SEIU-West predominantly represents health care and health care-related workers in Saskatchewan. A spokesperson said bargaining began in January 2023.

If the workers do not provide transportation, it will fall on LutherCare managers to offer that service.

"The people who work at LutherCare group homes are trained, they're skilled, they're professional, but they are paid very low wages in order to do a very intense mental, physical and emotional job," Cape said.

Cape said workers are trained as personal support workers and help the residents with daily activities like bathing, feeding, medications, putting them to bed and transportation.

SEIU-West President Barbara Cape said the refusal of non-medically required transportation will be followed by other forms of job action if the employer does not offer a fair deal. (Dayne Patterson/CBC)

If LutherCare does not return to negotiations, Cape said, the union will escalate action, including potentially walking off the job.

"Our intent is not to withdraw services all at once, but to send a really clear message," Cape said.

"For our members, this is the best way to go, because they care deeply for the residents that they provide care to."

Cape said members are asking for a three per cent wage increase every year for the length of the agreement, compared to the two per cent offer on the table.

Cape said there also needs to be a change to shifts, which have become shorter and led workers to work seven days in a row or longer to maintain full-time hours.

"If you're tired, if you're unable to focus, that impacts the care you're able to provide."

LutherCare Communities said no one was available for an interview.

In an emailed statement, LutherCare Communities chief people officer Chad Okrainetz said the organization has contacted the union several times about its position on the last offer and hasn't received a response.

"We believe we have offered a fair package that includes a wage increase retroactive to April 1, 2023, increased medical care leave, a signing bonus and the inclusion of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday. We are hoping we can get back to the bargaining table soon for further discussion on these issues," Okrainetz said.

"While we cannot offer every weekend off due to our commitment to provide 24/7 care, we do schedule our shifts to ensure that Team Members are eligible for at least two days off each week, except in situations where a Team Member elects to work overtime on their days off."