NSGEU Urges Minister to Honour Promise, Establish PTSD Working Group for First Responders

The NSGEU represents a range of workers who are emergency responders: police, social workers, correctional workers, firefighters, Registered Nurses and more. These are the people you need by your side in a time of crisis.

The very nature of their work makes these workers vulnerable to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Unfortunately, these emergency responders aren’t receiving the supports they need when they develop PTSD as a result of their working environment and the calls they respond to.

In early October, MLA David Wilson introduced a piece of legislation that would allow these emergency responders to be automatically covered by workers’ compensation, so they can take time off to get the help they need without worrying about how they will make ends meet, financially.

It was a solid piece of legislation that would have supported the workers who deliver incredibly valuable services to Nova Scotians.

The Liberal government did not allow the bill to proceed to Law Amendments allowing Nova Scotians to have their say on the matter. Instead, Health & Wellness Minister Leo Glavine committed to establish a legislative committee to explore potential steps and actions to support emergency responders who are in need.

But so far, the Minister has done nothing to act on his promise.

“On behalf of the many emergency responders we represent, we are calling on Minister Glavine to live up to his commitment and take the steps that are necessary to ensure our members receive the support they deserve, if and when they find themselves in need,” said NSGEU President Joan Jessome.

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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.