Striking HEU members at Surrey’s Bear Creek to hold rally

Where: in front of Bear Creek Lodge              13646-94A Avenue              Surrey, B.C.

When: June 19, noon - 1 p.m.

The fifty-five HEU members have been negotiating for a new collective agreement since September 2000, six months after their contract expired.

Bear Creek care givers are concerned the strike, which began on April 29, could go on indefinitely if the employer does not get serious about bargaining. The employer is saying “absolutely no” to:

  • improvements to the one-day-a-month non accumulative sick leave
  • a raise in salaries which are two to four dollars below the norm
  • better injury-on-duty compensation
  • vacation entitlement improvements
  • benefits for part-time workers who get nothing right now
Bear Creek Lodge is a private, for-profit facility for seniors, some of whom receive care and some of whom are independent but receive services like housecleaning and meals. They pay about $3000 a month for rent/services/care.