January 25, 2021
Prayer turns to picket for Lifewise homecare workers
Homecare support workers plan to picket their employer tomorrow after they were threatened with a lock-out.
E tū Kirsty McCully says employees from Lifewise, which is part of the Methodist Mission, are seeking increased sick and bereavement leave along with more guaranteed hours so they aren’t left struggling to pay their bills from week to week.
She says after 18 months of bargaining Lifewise agreed to add additional leave, plus a number of other improved provisions, into a proposed collective agreement but then reneged.
Lifewise is now refusing to negotiate with E tū members and has issued them with lockout notices for 10 days, which E tū believes to be unlawful.
Ms McCully says 10 days without pay would force workers into poverty.
Striking members are inviting church members to join their picket of the Lifewise offices in Mount Eden tomorrow from 6.45am-10.30am.
Copyright © 2021, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com