Kelowna

Part of a ‘creative strategy’ to put pressure on an Okanagan retirement home went into action Monday afternoon.

Just before 12:30 p.m., employees at the Dorchester retirement residence in Kelowna held a rally in front the Leon Avenue facility.

Spokesperson for the B.C. Government Employees Union, Stephan Howard, says the 72-hour strike notice given to the employer of Dorchester on Friday expired at 12:25 p.m.

“Most members came off the job to kick off our job action plan. They will be going back to work later this afternoon. The rally is just part of the creative strategy we will use,” says Howard.

He says essential services will be maintained for the residents of Dorchester throughout the rally and subsequent job action.

“The rest of the strategy for the action plan we are kinda keeping close to our chest, but the plan is to maximize pressure on the employer and minimize impact on the residents of Dorchester.”

In all, 45 employees of Dorchester are taking part in the job action, trying to negotiate a new contract.