N.S. government, long-term care union remain in a stalemate as strike drags on

HALIFAX – The union representing long-term care workers in Nova Scotia and the provincial government remain in a stalemate as a strike extended into the 27th day. 

Taylor Johnston, a spokesperson for CUPE, said no agreement was reached during talks Thursday after “the government came back to the table after four weeks of strike with the same deal for the fifth time.”

She said the only adjustment the province made was adding on a year with a 1.5 per cent raise, or a $2 hourly increase for those who make less than $23 an hour, in 2028. 

“That $2 would bring our lowest paid workers up to $23.57 by the end of the proposed agreement… That’s below the lowest estimated living wage in the province now, let alone in 2028,” Johnston said Saturday.

Collective agreements for these workers expired in October 2023. 

Johnston said given the province’s history of reaching long-term care deals well after they have expired, it’s likely workers would be stuck with those wages beyond 2028. 

Meanwhile, Barbara Adams, the minister of seniors and long-term care, issued a statement Friday evening saying the union’s proposal “is not feasible.”

“The wage offer on the table has already been accepted by employees in 29 unionized long-term care homes and in home care and hospitals,” Adams said.

She said the government is offering pay increases of at least 12 per cent over four years, while some workers would see pay bumps of 24 per cent. There’s also a 70 per cent increase in shift and weekend premiums. 

It also includes money to set up a defined benefit pension plan for workers at facilities that currently don’t have this benefit.

Johnston said what the province is currently offering won’t meet members’ needs.

“There are 3,100 workers at 32 facilities, with two more joining next week, on the picket lines desperately telling the government that they can’t afford to live on the current wages, yet minister Adams insists on repeating her same talking points.” she said. 

Essential services are being maintained, but many physiotherapists, occupational therapists and recreational therapists have not reporting to work since the strike began on April 13. Other striking workers include nurses, continuing-care assistants and housekeeping staff.

Two more homes in Cape Breton are set to join the strike next week.

Family of long-term care residents say the nearly month-long strike has meant fewer baths, more falls and dietary adjustments for their loved ones.

Chris Driscoll, whose mother is in St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax, said Friday the employees working under essential services agreements are doing all they can to keep up care, but families are still plugging the holes. His family is trying to have someone at the home for meal times, bringing in additional food and drink because his mother needs help eating and is no longer getting high-protein pudding as a supplement.

“Residents are paying to be there, but the residents’ children, who still work full-time, also have to show up more to cover the gaps,” Driscoll said in a text message to The Canadian Press on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2026.