'Residents are dying alone,' nursing home workers ask for wage increase to help staffing crisis
During a virtual news conference on Monday, the union representing workers in many of New Brunswick's nursing homes is urging premier Blaine Higgs to fix the current "staffing crisis" in nursing homes across the province.
The union is asking that the premier immediately increase their pay by $4 an hour. Sharon Teare, the president of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions, which represents 51 of 70 nursing homes in the province, says several locations across the province have been operating with 50 per cent of their staff or less, which doesn't allow them to prioritize those in their care.
"Now, we're at a point where retention and recruitment are crippling the sector and it can no longer function," said Teare.
She said many staff members are working double or triple shifts, while some are showing up to work while injured.
According to Teare, the current average wage of a CUPE member working in a senior's home in the province is $21.50.
CUPE New Brunswick communications representative Simon Oullette said "members, workers are already voting with their feet, retiring early, having to go on sick leave because of burn out, or leaving the field completely."
During Monday's news conference, workers spoke about how these issues not only affect them but also the vulnerable people in their care.
"What happens? Those residents who are dying alone that are in palliative care because they do not have the hands to ensure palliative measures are applied. And that's not OK. Residents are not getting their breakfasts because of being short-staffed."
The Department of Social Development responded to CTV's request for a comment from the premier saying it takes the concerns raised by the N.B. Council of Nursing Home Unions very seriously and that the department is working with its partners including " Department of Health, and the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, to look at potential solutions.
"This is one of the reasons government provided a $15-million increase to its annual budget to expand the hours of care to 3.3 hours by April 2022."
In its statement, the department also said: "as per the six-year bargaining agreement, formally adopted in May 2019, a 5.5 per cent wage increase was agreed upon over a four-year term – most of it retroactive – for employees."
But Teare believes the change has to happen soon. Due to extreme staffing shortages residents are not getting their breakfasts and are not always able to get bathed once a week, she said.
"Residents have the right to at least have a bath once a week, not every two weeks."
Without change or an increase in wages, workers say they are scared for what's to come.
"The cost of doing nothing is much greater than the cost of fixing the problem," said Oulette.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.