Update: 3:09 p.m.
Supporters of the Village by the Station’s union workers blew car horns and waved to the nearly 50 people taking part in Monday’s demonstration.
The demonstrators lined the north side of the street, some carrying Hospital Employees Union flags and other wearing placards, spent about an hour at the location.
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Unionized staff members of Good Samaritan Canada Village by the Station and supporters are scheduled to take part in an hour-long demonstration Monday afternoon.
According to Cheryl Wright, care aid and Hospital Employees Union (HEU) bargaining committee member, the demonstration is to make Good Samaritan aware of their concerns about getting a new agreement in place.
“Our contract expired on March 31, 2018 and we’ve been at the table for nine months now (negotiations began in May,2018) and we’re just here to send a message to our employer, this is not job action,” said Wright Monday morning. “We work hard to make sure our residents get the quality care they need, residents need a stable, caring environment and we are constantly training new employees just to see them walk out the door for a better paying job down the road.
“This is a problem because it means we’re too often working short staffed, it puts stress on the employees and it puts stress on the residents.”
There are about 120 union members employed at Village by the Station by the Edmonton-based, non-profit organization
Wright has also reached out to other labour organizations and unions in the city for support at the demonstration which is one of several scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at other Good Samaritan-run assisted living facilities including those in Vernon, Salmon Arm, Gibsons and New Westminster.
Village by the Station offers multiple levels of support ranging from dementia care cottages to assisted living and long term care suites.
Related: Vernon extended care facility staff hitting the street for demonstration
The problem of hiring enough staff and keeping them is faced by many similar organizations operating in the Okanagan and elsewhere.
“We need wages that keep up with other facilities and cost of living we propose solutions for recruitment and retention but the employer won’t agree,” said Wright. “We are sending a message to our employer to come the table with solutions that will support recruiting new staff and retaining their experienced ones.”
Shirley Nowicki, director of communications and media relations for Good Samaritan, said the problem of staffing is province-wide in B.C.
“Yes recruitment and staffing is a concern for all but we are still absolutely providing exceptional care to our residents and want to reassure families that our residents are receiving the level of care that they deserve and that they need,” said Nowicki. “As well for our employees too, we want to ensure that they’re well being is looked after.”
While she declined to talk about specific details of the negotiations she said both sides are scheduled to go back to the table Wednesday and Thursday without the help of a mediator at this time.
“We are committed to building our relationship with the union and we’ve always had a good relationship with them (HEU) and other unions and we’re confident we’ll be able to settle the agreements,” said Nowicki.
The demonstration is set to begin at 1:30 p.m.
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