A survey of nearly 2,000 health care workers in the province found the growing gap between wages and cost-of-living is impacting their lives at home.

Fifty-four per cent rate their household finances as “poor” and another 16 per cent as “very poor”  Other statistics include 86 per cent reporting cutting back on grocery budgets, 84 per cent on leisure activities and hobbies, 77 per cent have delayed a major purchase and 73 per cent have cancelled or scaled back vacation plans. (full report can be viewed here)

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says wages have increase 14 per cent between March 2013 and March 2023 while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 27 per cent.

CUPE local 5430 is currently negotiating a new contract with the provincial government. It represents over 13,000 health care employees in the technical nursing, support, clerical and plant operations areas.