The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity supports the demands of nursing home workers and members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. These 4100 workers in 46 nursing homes are calling for wage increases and better working conditions.
It should be noted that women make up the majority of the workforce in this sector and that these jobs are systematically undervalued and underpaid. Wages do not correspond to the level of responsibilities, efforts, working conditions and skills required.
In fact, the level of responsibility is high: these workers are responsible for the safety, health and well-being of the people under their care.
The efforts are considerable: they must be attentive to the residents and adapt to their needs. It is often necessary to physically support them, but also to keep a warm and open relationship.
The working conditions are difficult. Providing personal care is not always easy nor pleasant, not to mention the dangers of physical injury when dealing with people with mobility issues.
The skills are substantial: Beyond formal education and training, it requires great interpersonal skills as well as physical strength and intellectual abilities.
These workers deserve pay equity—wages comparable to that of male-dominated jobs of the same value. Continuing to ignore these low wages leads to staff recruitment and retention problems so great that there is a crisis across the community care-giving sector. Not only is the quality and continuity of the services that our seniors receive affected, but also our social fabric.
It is vital to invest in the wages of nursing home workers and the entire sector now and ensure acceptable working conditions.
Frances LeBlanc
Chair of New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity