Nova Scotia government confirms latest offer made to striking long-term care workers

A Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) flag during an education support workers rally outside of the Saskatchewan legislature in Regina, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

HALIFAX — The Nova Scotia government says the union representing about 3,500 striking long-term care workers refused to return to the bargaining table on the weekend.

The unionized workers at 35 long-term care facilities, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, have been on strike for six weeks. Their collective agreements expired in October 2023. Pay is the main issue in the labour dispute.

Seniors Minister Barbara Adams released an open letter late Saturday, saying the government had asked the union to resume negotiations Friday, Saturday or Sunday, but she said the union decided to wait until next week.

“CUPE leadership’s decision not to put the current offer to a membership vote has become a major obstacle to resolution,” Adams said in a statement.

“While essential service agreements remain in place, any disruption in care places additional pressure on residents, families, staff and long-term care homes.”

The union did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Adams said she understands the labour dispute has caused stress for long-term care residents and their families, adding that they deserve “stability, consistency and compassionate care.”

Meanwhile, the government released details of a contract offer that it says was presented to the union May 7.

The offer includes: wage increases between 12 and 24 per cent over four years; retroactive pay to 2023; increased evening and weekend premiums; access to a defined benefit pension; an additional $2 per hour beginning in 2027 for those earning less than $23 an hour; and an additional 1.5 per cent increase for all workers next year.

“These improvements were made in direct response to concerns raised by front-line workers, particularly workers in lower wage classifications,” Adams said, adding that 27,500 public sector workers have already endorsed similar agreements.

“It is concerning that CUPE accepted similar agreements in other sectors, yet long-term care workers remain on strike without having the opportunity to vote on the current offer.”

On May 9, a spokesperson for CUPE said the government had come back to the table with virtually same deal it had put forward four times before. Taylor Johnston said the only adjustments were adding the 1.5 per cent raise and the $2 hourly increase for those who make less than $23 an hour.

Johnston said the $2 raise would bring the lowest-paid workers up to $23.57 an hour by the end of the proposed agreement, which she said was below the lowest estimated living wage in the province.

Relatives of long-term care residents have said the strike has meant fewer baths, more falls and dietary adjustments for their loved ones.

Essential services are being maintained, but many physiotherapists, occupational therapists and recreational therapists have not been reporting to work since the strike began on April 13. Other striking workers include nurses, continuing-care assistants and housekeeping staff.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2026.