Civil Service Mediation-Arbitration Scheduled for May 8 & 9, June 3, 2022

Dear Member,

Your Union Negotiating Committee is pleased to report that the Civil Service arbitration, which will conclude your collective agreement, has now been scheduled. That arbitration will take place on June 3, 2022.

Your Negotiating Committee and your Employer have also agreed to enter into mediation on May 8 and 9, 2022, in an attempt to negotiate a settlement in advance of the arbitration.

The civil service arbitration panel is made up of three people. A union-nominated representative, an employer-nominated representative, and an independent third-party who will chair the panel.

The Union’s nominee is Paul Cavalluzzo, an experienced labour lawyer based in Toronto. The Employer’s nominee is former civil servant Rollie King. And the parties have agreed that long-time arbitrator Susan Ashley will act as the Chair.

Each of the nominees will fully engage with their respective nominators to best utilize their experience and assist your union and employer in reaching a resolution.

Arbitrator Ashley has requested an update on the matters still in dispute.

Your Bargaining Committee appreciates your solidarity and support through this process.

Please watch for updates and share this information with your coworkers. If they haven’t received this email, let them know they should contact the union to confirm their email address.

If you have any questions about bargaining or the bargaining process, please contact a member of your Bargaining Council below. You can also call the NSGEU at 1-877-556-7438 (toll-free) or inquiry@nsgeu.ca.

Your Union Negotiating Council (UNC):

As some of you may be aware, David Brewster, a long-time NSGEU activist has officially retired from his employment with the Province of Nova Scotia and can no longer continue to serve in the capacity as Chairperson of the PR Bargaining Unit Negotiating Council. In accordance with Section 9.4 of the NSGEU Constitution & By-Laws, Scott Hart as Vice-Chairperson would now become the Chairperson of PR BUNC.

Michelle Stonehouse (formerly MacLean) was elected PR UNC alternate at a special meeting of the Bargaining Unit Negotiating Council and will assume the position of
the Vice-Chairperson and serve the remainder of the term of office.

Clerical (CL)
Chair – Tammy Gillis, Local 2 – tammygillis@eastlink.ca
Vice-Chair – Sherry Dennis, Local 7 – sherry424@hotmail.com

Professional (PR)
Chair – Scott Hart, Local 8 – scott.hart@novascotia.ca
Vice-Chair – Michelle Stonehouse Local 3 – michelle.h.stonehouse@novascotia.ca

Technical (TS)
Chair – Hugh Gillis, Local 480 – secretarytreasurer@nslabour.ca
Vice-Chair – Holly Martin, Local 17 – holly.martin@novascotia.ca

Chief Negotiators:
Odette MacLeod, NSGEU Servicing Coordinator, omacleod@nsgeu.ca
Jim Gosse, NSGEU Servicing Coordinator, jgosse@nsgeu.ca