Local 97 – Vote In Favour of Strike Action to Support Safe Patient Care

Halifax – Registered Nurses at the Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) have sent a very clear message to their employer today, voting 90 per cent in support of strike action to support the key outstanding issue at the bargaining table: safe patient care.

“Our members are asking their employer to seriously consider their proposals to implement mandated nurse to patient ratios. Unfortunately, the employer and the government don’t seem overly concerned about patient safety and refuse to seriously entertain our proposals,” says NSGEU President Joan Jessome.

“Nurses know they need to take a stand to ensure they are able to deliver safe patient care moving into the future.”

Our hospitals and community health services have been plagued by underfunding and a shortage of nurses for a long time, and with many experienced nurses set to retire in the near future, the problem is only going to get worse.

The NSGEU’s plan provides an appropriate ratio of nurses to patients. Our ratio plan guarantees minimum numbers only, but can be adjusted to meet higher patient acuity. It also allows for flexibility so nurses can use their professional judgment to determine appropriate levels of care.

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The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union represents over 30,000 women and men who provide quality public services Nova Scotians count on every day.

 For more information or to arrange an interview with NSGEU President, Joan Jessome, please contact:

Holly Fraughton, NSGEU Communications Officer

424.4063 (office)

471.1781 (cell)

hfraughton@nsgeu.ca