I am writing to express my concern about the treatment of workers and residents at Riverview Home in Stellarton. Workers at Riverview have been asked to work for less than their wage, or for no wage, while management continues to ignore understaffing and the impact that it has on the service workers provide to Riverview residents.

This facility may be set to close next year, but as long as it is open, both participants and workers deserve to have their rights respected. The implementation of the Remedy cannot include further marginalization of people with disabilities, and it certainly doesn’t require violations of a collective agreement, or the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code.

I am alarmed to learn about the treatment of workers at Riverview and commend CUPE 2330 for standing up for workers, for human rights, and for the participants they work with. I am writing to demand action from the Riverview Home board of directors.

Riverview Home must, as soon as possible:

• Address ongoing violations to CUPE 2330’s collective agreement
• Post vacancies so understaffing can be addressed and the level of service participants deserve can be upheld
• Stop use of “sleep shifts” and stop asking workers to be paid less than their wage
• Hold CEO Heath Spencer and the Riverview Home Corporation accountable for not respecting human rights of workers and participants, and for violations to the CUPE 2330 collective agreement and the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code

Riverview must respect the human rights—for workers and persons with disabilities. Please join me in standing up for human rights, by taking action in your capacity as a member of the Riverview board of directors.

Thank you for your time.