Labour Board will finalize IWK Essential Services Plan

Today, March 27, the Nova Scotia Council of Health Care Unions is asking the Nova Scotia Labour Board to settle all remaining issues and finalize the IWK Essential Services Agreement.

The Council of Unions has reached the conclusion that the remaining issues can not be resolved through negotiations with the Employer and is using the process provided under Bill 37, Essential Health and Community Services Act, to refer the unresolved issues to the Labour Board for their final ruling. The Labour Board will have 30 days to hear submissions from both the Employer and the Council of Unions and will issue an order that will conclude the IWK essential services agreement.

The Council of Unions, Health Care Bargaining Unit, has worked hard to reach an essential services agreement that meets the needs of its members as well as protects the health and safety of patients.  However, there remains some issues that can not be resolved at the table, such as staffing provisions.

The application to the Labour Board is the next logical step and aligns with the Council of Union’s announcement that a strike vote for all 6,500 members of its Health Care Bargaining Unit across Nova Scotia. The Council of Unions wants to send a message to the Employers and government to take collective bargaining and the Council’s proposals seriously and work with the Council of Unions to get a deal done.

The Council of Unions continues to negotiate an essential services agreement for the NSHA.

Media Contacts:

NSGEU Lucas Wide (902) 497-5010      CUPE Colleen Reynolds (902) 809-2253
NSNU Coleen Logan (902) 486-0283    Unifor Natalie Clancy (902) 478-9238

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