Health Support Bargaining Unit Bargaining Update

The Council of Health Support Unions, comprised of committee members from CUPE, Unifor and NSGEU, met with the NSHA and IWK on August 27th, 28th and 29th to bargain a new collective agreement for members who work in support services occupations across Nova Scotia.

Both parties tabled proposals premised on the Healthcare Bargaining Unit Arbitration award, but with some changes. Talks were collegial, and many housekeeping matters were resolved. However, major issues are still in contention such as job security concerns, the 3.5% long service increment along with shift and weekend premiums to name a few. Therefore, we will be proceeding to Mediation-Arbitration before Arbitrator Bill Kaplan on September 18th. At that time, the parties will argue all outstanding issues before the Arbitrator, who will issue a ruling on the terms and conditions of your new collective agreement. The Council remains committed to achieving a fair collective agreement.

The Council would like to acknowledge and thank the members for their patience and support during this complex process. The Council will be providing further updates as soon as the Mediation-Arbitration process is concluded.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of the Council as follows:

Local 119, Christian Collins cbj@eastlink.ca

Local 119, Robert Forbes, rjfsmalljobspecialist@msn.com

Local 124, Darryl Leroux, dleroux@eastlink.ca

Local 119, Raymond Theriault, codeman@ns.sympatico.ca

Local 119, Fred Webster, fwebster26@yahoo.ca

Deputy Chief Negotiator, Jim Gosse, jgosse@nsgeu.ca