CUPE Local 600, which represents 385 social and central service workers across the province, voted 94 percent in favour of taking job action this week. The union includes community services workers, those who work with people in vulnerable situations, and those working with people living with intellectual disabilities.

CUPE explained the two main issues at the bargaining table so far have been wages and hours of work.

Justin Mercier is with CUPE. He explained the negotiations have been happening for two years.

“We've not seen a wage increase since 2015,” Mercier said. “We’ve met with the employer, which is the Public Service Commission, a total of 29 days over approximately a two year period. We’re actually coming up to two years of bargaining on the 26th.”

While wages are one of the issues, the concerns about the work schedule are front and centre for many. 

The current structure has employees at many of the facilities working six days of eight-hour shifts, with two days off. The shifts, a combination of evening, day and night shifts, have short turnarounds, according to the union.

“Members have also reported fatigue, health problems, and mood issues all from the lack of rest away from work. As a result, we are seeing increased sick time."

“Our proposal at the table was to change this eight-hour model to a 12-hour model, and really what this was, was a non-monetary ask,” Mercier elaborated. “It would not cost the employer anything, and we felt that it would actually address the employer's problems too, because they’re having issues with relief, and there’s that expensive overtime that’s happening.”

While the union has voted in favour of taking job action, nothing would be able to take place as of yet. The union is not in a legal strike position until essential service negotiations are complete, and they are expected to start in the near future.