A senior resident of a nursing home which has been mired in a months-long labour dispute, has died – and allegations of negligence are surfacing in the wake of the tragedy.
It’s an emotional time for striking workers at the Revera nursing home in the Riverbend area; they’ve grown frustrated on the picket line, and now they’re mourning the death of a resident.
In early August, Margaret Green complained of a sore throat and asked for help from relief staff at the nursing home.
“She said to me ‘I need an ambulance, I think I’m having little strokes’,” Gwenyth Barr, the daughter of Green’s friend told CTV News.
“She knew something was wrong and asked for help, and it wasn’t forthcoming until a family member phoned for the ambulance,” Alberta Union of Provincial Employees President Guy Smith said.
The AUPE said an ambulance was called on August 4, she died a short time later.
Staff at the facility are mourning the loss, and said if the labour dispute had been dealt with, this may not have happened.
"I am very sad," Striking worker Vicky Mulatriswaka said. "I wanted to be there to help her, that's not my place here [on the picket line].
"My place is inside, to take care of those people."
Margaret Green’s death has been reported to the province, and renewed calls for an intervention on the strike.
Provincial officials wouldn’t speak on this particular case, citing privacy. However, officials said investigations are automatically carried out after a person in care is harmed in any way.
Revera Riverbend said in a statement it believes Margaret Green received appropriate and timely care.
The strike at Revera has been the longest in 30 years for the AUPE, about 80 licensed practical nurses, health care aides and support workers took to the picket lines on June 5.
The two sides are returning to the bargaining table in the near future.
With files from Serena Mah
