NSGEU Media Release: Conciliation Talks Between NSGEU Home Support Workers and the VON Break Off

February 10, 2014

Conciliation Talks Between NSGEU Home Support Workers and the VON Break Off

Halifax – Conciliation talks between NSGEU Local 31 (VON Kings-Annapolis County); NSGEU Local 40 (Home Support, VON Tri-County); NSGEU Local 35 (VON Colchester & East Hants); and NSGEU Local 85 (VON Pictou) have broken off with their employer, the Victoria Order of Nurses (VON).

All four NSGEU VON Locals were negotiating with the employer at once. Talks broke off at 4:15pm.  

“The Bargaining Committees for the locals could not recommend an agreement that did not contain parity with other workers who do the same job and share the same qualifications but work in a hospital setting,” says Joan Jessome, President of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union. “They certainly deserve the same hourly wage their counterparts receive.”

There is an emergency meeting scheduled for each of the locals which will take place tomorrow evening, Tuesday, from 7pm -9pm. The members of each local will be hearing the details of the employer’s offer and voting on whether to accept or reject it. If it is rejected, the conciliator will file their report which will trigger a 14-day countdown to a strike.

NSGEU Local 34, home support workers at Northwood, voted 97% in favour of rejecting the employer’s offer at an emergency meeting last night (Sunday).

There are approximately 240 members of NSGEU Local 31 (VON Kings-Annapolis County); 38 members of  Local 40 (Home Support, VON Tri-County); 295 members of Local 35 (VON Colchester & East Hants); and 100 members of  Local 85 (VON Pictou).

Strike votes are being held for other NSGEU home support locals in Antigonish and Cape Breton over the next few days with the same outstanding issue of parity with workers who do the same job in a hospital setting.

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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:

Deedee Slye, NSGEU Communications Officer

424.4063 (office)

497-6761 (cell); dslye@nsgeu.ca

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