Greater respect and appreciation is what home care workers will be clamouring for as negotiations with government begin in the coming months.

NAPE, which represents about 4,000 home care workers in the province, hosted a conference for them at the Alt Hotel in St. John’s this weekend.

The short-term goal, says union president Jerry Earle, was to bring together representatives to collaborate, hold workshops, elect representatives, and strategize for upcoming collective bargaining.

But he says in the long term, home care workers must be seen for who and what they are, and the key role they play in the health care system.

“A greater recognition has to be given to this service,” he said. “Health Accord NL recognized it, basically saying aging in place is a key part of changing our health care system. I think in the long run investing in home care and making sure these workers are valued and compensated properly will add value to the system because I keep saying to these workers: you are part of health care.”

The current contract for home care workers expires at the end of March 2024.