CDHA Support Services & Clerical Staff vote to accept employer’s final offer

Members of Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union Local 246 (Clerical Staff) and Local 19 (Support Services) who work at the CDHA have voted to accept their employer’s final offer.
Ballots were counted at NSGEU head office on Monday, January 21st and 57% of those who cast ballots in each local voted to accept the final offer that had been presented by the employer.

“While we are pleased that we reached an agreement with the employer, there was clear disappointment in not achieving the 3.5 per cent long service increment that other health service workers received in their last round of bargaining,” said President Joan Jessome.

Highlights of this new agreement include a 7.5% wage increase over three years “consistent with the wage pattern set in recent bargaining with CDHA” an improvement in job security language, as well as changes in shift and weekend premiums and stand-by compensation.

There are approximately 1,500 members of Local 246 who provide a wide range of services in the District Health Authority. Occupations include; Communications Clerk, Medical Transcriptionist, Secretary, Clerk, Accounting Clerk, Booking and Registration Clerk, Stores Clerk. There are approximately 1,200 members of Local 19 who provide a wide range of services in the District Health Authority. Occupations include: laundry worker, mechanic, carpenter, electrician, painter, maintenance, cook, restaurant worker, utility worker, power engineer, welder, and others.

The current Local 246 and Local 19 collective agreements both expired on October 31, 2011.