Workers at Dorchester Retirement vote to strike after talks break down

BURNABY, BC, April 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) at Dorchester Retirement Residence in Kelowna voted strongly in favour of strike action last week. 

Talks broke down between the BCGEU bargaining committee and Revera, the company that manages Dorchester Retirement, earlier in April. The two parties have been at the table for almost a year. 

"After a long period of negotiations, the employer is still unwilling to offer any improvements in any areas of the contract," says Debra Critchley, the BCGEU staff representative negotiating the agreement. 

"Revera has even rejected our proposals for improvements to bullying and harassment language." 

The employer has filed for mediation but no dates are set. 

This is the third round of negotiations that BCGEU has undergone with Revera at Dorchester. In the last round in 2008/09, workers were on strike for almost two months before a deal was reached. 

"We are hoping that mediation will bring the parties closer together but the members have shown that they are willing to take serious job action to ensure that they get a fair and reasonable agreement," says Critchley. 

Dorchester Retirement Residence is an independent living facility in Kelowna for seniors that employs over 35 staff including bus drivers, housekeepers, food service workers and clerical staff.

please contact Debra Critchley at 250-212-8405.