For Media Release

-MEDIA RELEASE-



DISRUPTION BY A.U.P.E. PICKETERS TO ESCALATE AT ARTSPACE HOUSING CO-OP



For Immediate Release (Edmonton, Alberta) Monday, June 9, 2014



Supports for Artspace Independent Living Inc. (SAIL) meeting with the Alberta Union of Public Employees and a mediator failed to reach an agreement on June 7. SAIL’s offer to increase hourly wages for the SAIL home care workers, based on continuing discussions with Alberta Health Services, was rejected by the AUPE. The AUPE will escalate the strike in front of the private residences of SAIL Board members and users at the quiet Artspace Housing Co-op. Artspace is home to 180 people, including the 30 disabled people and seniors who use the home care service provided by SAIL.



SAIL President Roxanne Ulanicki issued this statement:

"When presented with the offer, AUPE negotiator, Kevin Davediuk completely dismissed the efforts of SAIL. He told SAIL that AUPE are not impressed and advised that they will be filing at the labour Board on Monday and escalating disruption in the community."



"SAIL has offered everything it has available to give for increases to wages and benefits for SAIL workers. SAIL, in all of its negotiations with AUPE have made every effort to put on the table exactly what it can afford to pay it's employees, preserve its unique model of consumer-directed care and be a sustainable long-term, non-profit business."



Tensions are bound to increase as AUPE have already given the required 48 hour notice to cancel picket protocols...effective 4:45 pm, Monday June 9. SAIL staff and paid picketers will now begin to escalate their previous activities in disruption on the picket line.

Background:

--Supports for Artspace Independent Living (SAIL) is a unique model for the on-site provision of home care and personal care services, created in 1989 by members of Artspace Housing Co-op Ltd., the sole shareholder of S.A.I.L. Artspace is a vibrant 88 unit housing co-operative that offers housing to a diverse community of 180 people, including people with disabilities and seniors. 30 Co-op members use the home care services of S.A.I.L. For 23 years SAIL has provided home care with these members. The pillars of S.A.I.L. are: “self-governed; self-directed; care with you not for you.”

--in the summer of 2013, SAIL workers voted to join the A.U.P.E.

--On Feb. 27, 2014 health-care aides at SAIL Inc. voted in favour of strike action against SAIL Inc. after negotiations for a first collective agreement broke down.

--April 13 SAIL rejected the AUPE demand for 15.6 % salary increase plus increase to other benefits. AUPE workers went on strike May 7. AUPE have been advised that SAIL is currently operating under a temporary interim funding model with AHS. This will be changing on August 1st. Until SAIL is aware of its level of funding, it is pointless to proceed to arbitration.

--Since SAIL was awarded a contract back last summer, SAIL has been in discussions with AHS. Those discussions concern our unique model of care and the level of funding required to provide that model of care - which includes appropriate levels of wages and benefits for the SAIL staff. AUPE has been advised of those discussions. AUPE can approach AHS or the Alberta Government themselves. They do not need SAIL’s agreement or permission to speak to the Alberta Government or AHS pertaining to health care aides wages and benefits in the province.

--Since the strike began AUPE picketers have been using “leverage policies.” AUPE picketers are outside Artspace Housing Co-op, the location of the private homes of the Board members and users of SAIL. The picketers are attempting to traumatize the community and replacement workers, using archaic and uncivilized methods. Testimonials, reports and video are available from people who have witnessed picketers engaging in these ‘leverage behaviors.’ These behaviors are tolerated in Alberta, whereas in the U.K. there is a government inquiry and labour leaders are quitting I disgust at the use of these tactics.