Compass Group Canada, a company that provides contracted services to KinVillage in Tsawwassen, is in the midst of a labour dispute with its employees represented by United Steelworkers Union Local 2009.
Compass provides housekeeping, food and laundry services to KinVillage, said Cynthia Langenberg, director of health services at the Tsawwassen seniors complex.
She said the dispute hasn't had a significant impact at this point.
Workers at Compass' Lower Mainland long-term care locations initiated job action on Sept. 26 and the company delivered a lock-out notice on Sept. 29.
The labour disruption won't affect food, housekeeping or laundry services and given that all locations are home to residents living in long term care, the services, designated as essential services by the Labour Board of B.C., will continue without interruption, Compass said in a statement.
"We respect the right of our employees to be represented by a union. Unfortunately, we were not successful in negotiating a mutually agreeable contract with the union and they decided to exercise their legal right to strike. We do not know how long the labour disruption will continue, however, we look forward to a speedy resolution," Compass stated.
The workers basically went on strike because the company didn't offer a fair wage increase, said union spokesperson Brian Harder.
"It's not a fair wage given the increases to the cost of living," he said, noting base employees currently make $12.01 an hour.
