At least 3000 workers from 38 seniors' residences across Quebec have launched a two-day strike.

At least 14 institutions in the greate Montreal area are affected, although the striking workers have agreed to provide essential services.

They are demanding higher wages across the board, with their average wage about $12,50/hr.

"These people work very hard, they care for our elderly, they care for your grandfather, your grandmother, your parents. They deserve $15 an hour, they deserve a living wage to take care of our families," said Daniele Legault, Vice-president of the SQEES-FTQ union.

One nurse's aide said after 16 years on the job, she only earns $13.50 per hour.

At Chateau Westmount about 20 of the 120 employees are remaining at work in order to provide essential services to the people in their care.

They said that will not change unless the employees move toward a long-term general strike. 

The affected residences are: 

  • Chartwell Villa Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi
  • Chartwell Villa du Saguenay, Chicoutimi
  • La Maison Herron, Dorval
  • Residence 600 Bousquet, Drummondville
  • Chartwell Residence L'Ermitage inc., Drummondville
  • Chartwell Villa Jonquière, Jonquière
  • Résidence La Belle Époque, La Prairie
  • Cavalier de LaSalle, LaSalle
  • Residence Floralies LaSalle inc., LaSalle
  • Centre d'hébergement de la Rive, Laval
  • Residence Ste-Rose inc, Laval
  • Domaine Des Forges II, Laval
  • Residence Laval Ouest inc., Laval
  • Residence du Bonheur, Laval
  • Les Habitats La Fayette, Longueuil
  • Le Waldorf, Montreal
  • Villa Belle Rive inc., Montreal North
  • Chateau Beaurivage, Montreal North
  • Manoir St-Jacques, Princeville
  • Chartwell Dom. du Chateau de Bordeaux, Quebec City
  • Chartwell App. du Chateau de Bordeaux, Quebec City
  • Seigneurie de Salaberry, Quebec City
  • Manoir de la Riviere, Quebec City
  • Chartwell Manoir et Cours de l'Atrium, Quebec City
  • Chartwell Hab. Faubourg Giffard, Quebec City
  • Chartwell Manoir Archer, Quebec City
  • Residence Ste-Anne, Rawdon
  • Seigneurie du Jasmin, Saint-Georges
  • Chartwell Residence Ste-Marthe, Saint-Hyacinthe
  • Residence L'Alto, Saint Laurent
  • Les Cotonniers, Salaberry-De-Valleyfield
  • Maison des ainés de St-Timothée, Salaberry-De-Valleyfield
  • Chartwell Le Marquis de Tracy 1, Sorel-Tracy
  • Chartwell Rés. Le Marquis de Tracy II, Sorel-Tracy
  • Residence Valeo Jean XXIII, Trois-Rivieres
  • Residence Le St-Laurent, Trois-Rivieres
  • Chartwell Residence Notre-Dame Victoriaville, Victoriaville
  • Chateau Westmount , Westmount