After Three Days of Bargaining, Local 55 Forced to File for Conciliation

For months, WCB executives have offered platitudes, telling workers that management has been eager to get to the bargaining table so hard‑working WCB employees can receive the raises they deserve. Many of you suspected that rhetoric was hollow. The union remained hopeful nonetheless.

 When your bargaining committee arrived at the bargaining table, they were met with more than 40 pages of employer concession proposals aimed at stripping away hard‑won language from your collective agreement, language that has taken decades to achieve.

 As for wages, the employer has refused to even respond to the wage proposals your bargaining team put forward. In fact, the only message received from WCB leadership is that Local 55 members haven’t demonstrated that they deserve even the wage increases received by provincial employees.

 You can’t put rhetoric on the dinner table to feed your family. You can’t use rhetoric to pay for fuel at the pumps. Actions speak louder than words, and Local 55 members deserve better than hollow platitudes.

 In the face of WCB’s dismal proposals and unwillingness to discuss wage increases, the NSGEU is taking action.

 An impasse has been declared at the bargaining table and the union is filing for conciliation.

 What is conciliation? Conciliation is a requirement under the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act that takes place when regular negotiations fail to reach an agreement. Either party may apply to the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education requesting the services of a Conciliation Officer. The Conciliation Officer does not have the power to impose a settlement on either party. Instead, their role is to mediate between the parties and help them reach an agreement.

 To date, this round of negotiations has been frustrating and difficult. Your support and solidarity will help your Bargaining Committee stand up to WCB leadership’s political theatre.