Staff at Points West Living Cold Lake will be returning to work after a lockout that lasted nearly 110 days.
On Dec. 16, 2016, they were locked out of Points West Living and replaced by temporary employees contracted out of Edmonton. After months of negotiations, they will be returning to work.
On June 22, Points West Living, a staff bargaining committee, and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), came to an agreement that prevents the company from contracting out work, requires a review of workload and short staffing, and increases staff wages to bring them close to industry standard. The contract expires at the end of 2019.
The nearly 40 nursing care and general support staff locked out for 109 days will return to work starting July 4.
“We're very pleased to have reached an agreement with AUPE. Points West Living appreciates the commitment of our Cold Lake staff and the care they provide to residents. We look forward to seeing them quickly return to their jobs,” said Doug Mills, CEO of Points West Living, in a release.
The facility has 52 live-in units for designated supportive living, memory care, and independent supportive living residents. They plan on expanding their facility with an additional 48 supportive living apartments.
AUPE president Guy Smith said the agreement is long overdue.
“We are relieved to have this lockout come to an end, and to have our first collective agreement with Points West Living Cold Lake,” Smith noted.
“I think every time we go through these experiences it inspires me as the president of the union to have these workers stand so strong for that length of time for the things that they believe in.”
The history of AUPE and Points West Living negotiations
Dialogue between Points West Living and AUPE began in 2015, and were described by Smith in a release as some of the “most difficult and problematic” AUPE has seen.
In September 2016, Points West Living staff and AUPE representatives hosted a rally after the Government of Alberta announced a Dispute Inquiry Board (DIB) would be stepping in for the negotiations.
The DIB acted as a neutral third party appointed by the government to aid in the negotiation process. The request for the board was made by Points West Living in an effort to avoid a staffing disruption at the live-in care facility.
The announcement of a DIB meant that the scheduled employee lockout for Sept. 26 was cancelled. Once employees heard the news, they band together and held a rally. This was in an effort to voice their concerns to the public about the company and the negotiation process.
On Dec. 16, 2016, Points West Living announced they would be locking out the employees, and bringing in temporary workers until the negotiation process was over.
The staff stood outside of Points West Living with picket signs and heaters until spring when they endured the rain in longing of an agreement.
“I am very pleased to learn that the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and Points West Living Ltd. have reached a collective agreement at the Cold Lake supportive living facility with the support and assistance of mediator Rick Wilson and the Alberta Labour Relations Board,” said Alberta's Minister of Labour Christina Gray in a release.
She continued, “While this was clearly a very tough negotiation for all parties involved, both employees and employer should be congratulated for coming back to the table and reaching an agreement that provides the foundation for an ongoing bargaining relationship and ensures the delivery of continuing care in the community of Cold Lake.”
