Victoria workers to rally at Salvation Army headquarters in Burnaby at 11:30 a.m. today

Laid-off staff from the Sally Ann’s Sunset Lodge want talks to preserve resident care and save jobs

Health care workers from the Salvation Army’s Sunset Lodge, a long-term care facility in Victoria, will rally today outside the Sally Ann’s Burnaby headquarters in an attempt to halt the imminent contracting out of important resident support and direct care jobs.

The employees, members of the Hospital Employees’ Union, want the Salvation Army to negotiate alternatives that would preserve quality of care for the lodge’s 100 residents and keep more than 50 long-serving staff working. The workers have already presented two proposals to the employer aimed at meeting the facility’s stated budget shortfalls and preventing contracting out plans but both have been rejected.

The last day of work for the laid-off nurses, care aides, housekeepers and dietary and clerical staff is August 9.

WHAT: Rally for quality long-term care

WHEN: August 7 (today) 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Salvation Army Headquarters #101-3833 Henning Drive (1 block south of the Lougheed Highway at Boundary)

WHO:

  • HEU Sunset Lodge workers and supporters
  • Jim Sinclair, president, B.C. Federation of Labour
  • Debra McPherson, president, B.C. Nurses’ Union
  • Contact: Margi Blamey, 604-456-7094 (direct), 604-785-5324 (cell)