On April 10th CUPE members took their message to the rotary in Port Hastings.
-by April MacDonald
“We didn’t walk out; we took a stand!” were the words written on signs carried by local members of the CUPE.
As of 7:00 a.m. on April 13th, 24 long-term care homes in this province went on strike. Out of the 24 listed (see end of article for complete list) Port Hawkesbury – 2 Macquarrie Drive Extension, Port Hawkesbury, was named.
The CUPE LTC Local 1485 (Inverary Manor) sent this notice to families and loved ones.
“CUPE Local 1485 at Inverary Manor in Inverness would like to address the upcoming strike action and what it may mean for residents and their families.
“As many of you are aware, beginning Monday, April 13th, 2026, at 7:00 a.m., long-term care locals across Nova Scotia will begin strike action. Initially, 22 CUPE locals will take to the picket line while continuing to provide essential services within their facilities, in accordance with essential service agreements.
“At this time, Local 1485 is not among the first group of 22 locals participating in strike action. However, we stand in full solidarity with our fellow CUPE members across the province as they advocate for the long-term care sector.
“Long-term care workers in Nova Scotia are currently the lowest paid in Atlantic Canada. Many are struggling to meet their own basic needs while continuing to provide compassionate, essential care to residents every day. This strike action is about securing a livable wage, improving working conditions, and addressing critical recruitment and retention challenges in long-term care.
“We understand that this situation may cause concern for families and the public. Please be assured that the safety and well-being of all residents remains our top priority. CUPE long-term care workers take immense pride in the care and services we provide.
“Should strike action expand, services may be impacted across various roles, including Licensed Practical Nurses, Continuing Care Assistants, Dietary Aides, Housekeeping, Laundry, Maintenance, Physiotherapy Assistants, and Activity Assistants. Even so, essential services will remain in place to ensure residents continue to receive safe and necessary care.
“We respectfully ask for your support and understanding during this time as long-term care workers stand together to fight for fairness, respect, and a better quality of life, for both workers and the residents we care for.
“In solidarity [signed by] CUPE Local 1485 Members, President, Ashton Brown, Vice President, Courtney MacKinnon, Recording Secretary, Darcy MacDonald, Treasurer, Willena Murphy.”
In Port Hawkesbury the members of CUPE 3630 said, “We didn’t choose to strike lightly. We chose it because we’ve been left with no other option.
“Over the past years, our workload has increased, responsibilities have grown, and staffing levels have continued to fall – but our wages and working conditions have not kept up. This is not just about us. This is about the quality of care residents receive.
“When there aren’t enough staff, it means less time with residents, more rushed care, and increased burnout for the workers who are still showing up every day. We are being mandated, denied time off, and stretched beyond what is safe or sustainable.
“We are standing up for: fair wages that reflect the work we do; safe staffing levels; and better conditions so we can continue to provide the care our community deserves.
“We care deeply about our residents. That is exactly why we are fighting for change. Thank you for your support – CUPE 3630”
Personal testimonials from members such as Chlory MacLean-Poirier added, “When people ask how they can help during this strike it’s quite simple. Pick up a phone or drop a quick email to any or all three of these people. Saying you value what we do and that we deserve a fair, living wage and not to have to worry about always being short staffed!! How can we encourage people to apply or to move to the most beautiful place in the world to work here when we don’t feel valued ourselves!! So reach out to these people in charge of our province and ask them why other Atlantic provinces value their long term care workers more than our province values us!”
MacLean-Poirier included these three names and contact information for those who want to stand with the CUPE LTC members:
– Tim Houston, phone: 902-424-6600, toll-free: 1-800-267-1993, email: [email protected];
– Barb Adams, phone: 902-406-0656, email: [email protected];
– Kyle MacQuarrie, phone: 902-258-2216, toll-free: 888-968-7652, email: [email protected]
Tonia Kennedy, a member from Port Hawkesbury said “April 13th. The day we go out on the line. This is not something I ever imagined doing. For 10 years as a continuing care assistant I have shown up to work with my whole heart.
“I don’t just ‘go to a job’ I go to see my residents. I know their routines, their smiles, their stories. I care for them like they’re my own family.
“I adore what I do. I am proud of what I do. But love for my job does not pay my bills.
“Like so many of my coworkers, I am struggling. Groceries are higher, Gas is higher, Power is higher. Everything is higher – except our wages. We are being asked to continue giving everything of ourselves while barely being able to afford our own lives.
“The government’s recent offer has been painted as ‘fair’ to the public by people like Barb Adams and Tim Houston, but that is simply not the reality we are living.
“We are not being greedy. We are not being selfish, we are asking for enough to live. And the truth is – if we want people to choose this field, something has to change.
“We need wages that actually reflect the work we do. Because right now, they don’t.
“I have never seen my workplace so short staffed as it is now . We are constantly stretched thin.
“Full-time staff are being mandated constantly. Vacation requests – the ones we depend on to rest and reset – are being denied. People are burning out, and good workers are leaving.
“You cannot expect people to stay in a job that is asking more and more, while giving less and less in return.
“You may have heard that other nursing homes, acute care, and home care have already ‘accepted’ this offer. That wording is misleading.
“That’s not being explained is that in those agreements included a ‘me too’ clause. That means they will automatically receive any improvements that come from future negotiations, including what we are fighting for right now – without having to strike themselves.
“So no, this isn’t everyone agreeing the offer is good. It’s others being protected while we are left to fight for what’s fair.
“Even more concerning, this offer leaves behind some of the most essential workers in our facilities.
“Housekeeping, laundry, and dietary staff. These are the people who keep our residents clean, fed, and safe every single day. Under this proposal, many of them would be making wages that don’t even keep up with today’s cost of living.
“$21.22 dollars an hour is not a livable wage. Currently as a Continuing care assistant I’m at $24.00 and can’t stay afloat, so how will they?
“How is that fair? We work as a team. We care as a team. And we are fighting as a team.
“This strike is not about wanting more – it’s about needing enough.
– Enough to pay rent.
– Enough to buy groceries without stress.
– Enough to live with dignity, just like the residents we care for every day deserve.
– We don’t want to be on a picket line.
– We want to be inside giving care, sharing laughs, and doing the job we love.
“But something has to change.
“So on April 13th, we stand together – not just for ourselves, but for the future of care in our communities.
“Because if the people who care for your loved ones can’t afford to live…who will be there tomorrow?
“This is not the outcome any of us wanted; however, it is an outcome we have been preparing for. This process has shown us that we, as a sector, are united and ready to fight for what we deserve. Let’s make it impossible for the government to ignore that. Solidarity!
“Please visit a picket line and show your support!”
Erin Fortin, the Acting CEO for the County of Inverness Municipal Housing Corporation explained that there has been significant attention across Nova Scotia regarding CUPE strike activity impacting some long-term care homes.
“At this time, I would like to clarify that the unions representing employees at Inverary Manor and Foyer Père Fiset are not in a legal strike position and continue to participate in the bargaining process,” said Fortin.
“We are currently receiving a high volume of inquiries and concerns from residents and families, and we are hoping to share clear and accurate information within our communities,” she closed.
Fortin requested that the Oran share this update on behalf the County of Inverness Municipal Housing Corporation.