Nursing staff strikes at Edmonton seniors home

About 30 picketers braved the cold rain outside the Hardisty Care Centre in east Edmonton this morning.

The employees at the 180-bed seniors care home at 6420-101 Ave. went on strike as of 7 a.m. Tuesday.

The 100 licensed practical nurses and health care aides are in a dispute with management over wages.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees said their workers are paid 30 per cent less than other Alberta Health Services workers.

Two independent mediators agreed the staff deserved a significant salary hike, but those recommendations were rejected by the company.

The company said it can only afford a 10-per-cent pay raise and has offered to go to binding arbitration if the union promises to end the strike.

"We've invited the union to go to the only place they can which is binding arbitration," said Ian West, vice-president of operations for Park Place Seniors Living Inc., the company that operates the Hardisty facility.

"They either do it voluntarily, as we've invited, or they'll end up going there after the government intervenes at some point in the future."

Larry Karsch, whose mother is a resident at the nursing home, hopes the strike ends soon.

"The job is one where, excuse the expression, but you're crapped on literally and figuratively, and yet they remain cheerful when they're doing it," he said. "And I'm not just saying that, I'm there quite often. And I'm amazed at the level of care there."

The two sides have been attempting to reach a first contract since December 2011.

Managers said the centre is fully staffed today with about 100 non-unionized employees and alternate staff called in.