LAVAL, QC, Aug. 14, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Teamsters Union is calling upon Francine Charbonneau, Minister responsible for Seniors and Anti-Bullying, to bring the owner of Résidences Soleil, Eddy Savoie, back to the negotiating table. Despite the maintenance of all services by union members, the month-long strike is impacting the quality of life of residents at Résidences Soleil's Manoir Sainte-Julie, and the Union wants to see the conflict resolved.
Meanwhile, since negotiations aimed at renewing the contracts of some 70 workers are deadlocked, the Teamsters Union has decided to go on the offensive and organize a tour of several other residences to remind management that, sooner or later, this dispute must be resolved.
On Monday, August 15, members of Teamsters Local Union 106, accompanied by residents, will begin picketing in front of Manoir Sainte-Julie and then move on to Résidences Soleil Manoir Mont Saint-Hilaire and Manoir Boucherville, ending up in front of the home of the company's CEO, Nataly Savoie.
"Management is giving us no choice," fumed Jean Chartrand, President of Teamsters Local Union 106. "We must mark the occasion, since Eddy Savoie is turning a deaf ear to the presence of a mediator, our willingness to negotiate and the support of Manoir Sainte-Julie residents."
The workers are demanding an hourly raise of $1.50 and a night shift bonus for a two-year labour contract. It should be noted that many night shift workers of a well-known convenience store chain receive a $2 hourly rate bonus, whereas the employees of Résidences Soleil get none.
The Teamsters represent the orderlies, who earn up to $6 an hour less than they would in the public sector, as well as the nurses and nursing assistants, who also earn less than their peers in the public sector. However, these workers all have the same skills, the same training and virtually the same duties.
"Our members deserve more than the $15 an hour demanded by other unions," stressed the union leader. "We can't throw them breadcrumbs and then expect them to stay in the private sector and continue providing quality services to our seniors."
We know that personnel turnover makes the residents anxious and that the best way to remedy this situation is to improve working conditions. One Manoir Sainte-Julie employee actually just resigned because she found a better paying job in the public sector.
"We are asking Minister Charbonneau to intervene; otherwise, this may be a long dispute," said Mr. Chartrand. "She could also drop by for a little impromptu tour and share one of the bland meals served to the residents while listening to what our members have to say about their working conditions and day-to-day life."
The Teamsters represent 120,000 members in Canada in all industries. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.
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SOURCE Teamsters Canada
Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Public Relations, Telephone: 450 682-5521, Cell: 514 609-5101, Email: [email protected]
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