Health care workers in Nova Scotia move closer to strike action

CITYnews halifax / By Dan Ahlstrand

The Council of Unions says that Nova Scotia Health is dragging its feet on an essential services agreement required before job action is taken.

“The unions are concerned that the Premier believes the crisis in health care is limited to just doctors and nurses, and that he does not understand what a critical role Health Care professionals play in keeping our health care system functioning,” Dianne Frittenburg, President of CUPE Local 8920, said.

Under the Health Authorities Act in Nova Scotia, an essential services agreement is required before any strike action is taken. The union contends that they have tried 13 times to secure an agreement with Nova Scotia Health and failed to develop a staffing plan.

“We have repeatedly seen the employer attempt to undermine workers’ right to strike and, by extension, bargain a fair collective agreement, by refusing to meaningfully engage in the process of establishing essential services,” Hugh Gillis, NSGEU 1st Vice-President, said. “This time, we will be asking for the assistance of Conciliation Services or a mediator to oversee the process and to ensure the employer takes this process seriously, for once.”

 The Council of Unions represents more than 9,000 workers in 174 occupations  in 12 key service areas: Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory; Respiratory; Pharmacy; Physical Therapy; Mental Health & Addictions; Cancer Therapy; Prosthetics; Anaesthesia; Hearing & Speech; Paramedic; Orthopaedic; and Community Health.