Health Care Council of Unions Bargaining Update

As you are aware, Health Care Council of Unions representatives met with employer representatives on Monday, March 4th to exchange proposals and have had another two dates at the bargaining table with employer representatives. Talks have been collegial with some progress made on non-monetary items. Six additional dates are scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, May 14^th
• Wednesday, May 15^th
• Wednesday, May 22^nd
• Thursday, May 23^rd
• Tuesday, June 18^th
• Wednesday, June 19^th

Additionally, we continue to work towards reaching an Essential Services staffing agreement, as required by legislation. So far, ten dates have been held, and another three are scheduled for May 7^th and 24^th, and June 25^th.

What are Essential Services?

As a result of legislation passed by the past Liberal provincial government, the NSGEU now bargains as part of a Council of Unions. Along with Unifor and CUPE for the Health Care Council, we collectively represent approximately 7,500 health care workers working in a wide variety of roles at Nova Scotia Health (NSH) throughout the province and the IWK. We are also now compelled by legislation to work with the employer to establish an Essential Services staffing agreement prior to any legal strike action taking place.

Please keep a close eye on your email over the coming weeks and speak with your coworkers to ensure they are receiving updates from the union, as well.

If you have questions or concerns about the bargaining process, please contact a member of your committee as follows:

Local 195 Uta Berthold-Brush, utacbb1@gmail.com
Local 100 Veronica Drake, v.burke87@gmail.com
Local 100 Bria MacDonald, bria.mac@hotmail.com
Local 100 Shaun Naugle, naugle.shaun@gmail.com
Local 122 Peter Perry, pperry@nsgeu.ca
Local 122 Natalie Steele Quinn, natalie.steele@gmail.com
Lead Negotiator Lynette Johnson, ljohnson@nsgeu.ca