There are about 140 Red Cross Home Care workers in Bruce and Grey Counties that could be off the job soon.
The workers — along with 3,000 other Ontario workers — have voted 88% in favour of strike action to back contract demands.
The employees are represented by the Service Employees International Union.
Bargaining Rep Cathy Carroll says it’s obvious the members are willing to take action if they see no movement from the Red Cross during negotiations.
The main stumbling blocks are compensation for travel time and the mileage allowance.
Carroll says they are far apart on both issues.
Negotiations between the union and the Red Cross continue today and tomorrow.
Carroll claims their home care workers are not compensated fairly for travel time between clients so they have to work 12 and 13 hour days to get 8 hours pay.
Carroll adds the mileage allowance doesn’t make up for the rising gas prices.
Carroll also wants to cut the gap between the wages for Red Cross home care workers and those employees at nursing homes.
She says it’s about 5 dollars an hour — and it’s the reason for a high turnover rate.
Carroll also feels the provincial government needs to address funding for home care.
The McGuinty Liberals have increase funding over the years — but Carroll says the money dispersed by the LHIN’s is not trickling down to the workers.
