RED DEER – AUPE members working at Optima Living Aspen Ridge had a clear message for Optima Living Aspen Ridge: We’re not backing down.
Nearly 60 people attended the rally to support the seniors' facility employees, including residents of Aspen Ridge.
Bargaining reached a critical stage when the employer refused to sign off on a tentative collective agreement.
AUPE Vice-President Darren Graham said members are fed up with employers like Optima Living refusing to negotiate a living wage and protections against inflation. What’s worse is that the employer is trying to roll back sick leave and pitting workers against one another.
“Workers are sick and tired – literally – of bosses like Optima demanding more for less,” says Graham. “AUPE members at Aspen Ridge, and across the province, go above and beyond for residents every single day. Its time employers recognize that and pay workers what they deserve.”
The employer is seeking to divide AUPE members by willing to make adjustments beyond percentage increases to wages for nursing care, such as Health Care Aides and Licensed Practical Nurses, but they aren’t willing to do the same for support staff.
“AUPE members at Aspen Ridge are rallying to show the employer we’re united and their tactics to divide us won’t work,” Graham says. “We’re demanding a living wage for all employees because we are all impacted by the rising cost of living.”
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AUPE Vice-President Darren Graham is available for comment.
For media inquiries, please contact Maureen Mariampillai, AUPE Communications Officer at m.mariampillai@aupe.org or text/call 780-904-1158.
