Close to 18,000 workers now have deals pending ratification
The provincial governments of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have reached tentative agreements with healthcare workers in their respective provinces.
Nova Scotia’s health authorities and three unions representing about 9,000 health-care workers reached a deal, which averted a potential strike, according to CTV News.
“We came to the table in good faith, offered a fair pay increase and were able to agree on terms with the council. We believe this is a fair deal for workers and taxpayers. We also believe this is a deal that will allow us to continue investing in important things like healthcare and housing,” said Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia’s health and wellness minister.
The bargaining unit has 185 job classifications, including physiotherapists, lab staff, psychologists, continuing care assistants, social workers and pharmacists. They work across the province at Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health facilities.
“This is a good deal and one the committee is prepared to recommend to members,” said Sandra Mullen, president of the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU), according to the CTV News report. “The committee worked very hard to conclude this agreement and they deserve a great deal of credit for their efforts.”
Meanwhile, New Brunswick also reached tentative agreements with the New Brunswick Nurses Union (NBNU).
The deal is for both the nurses, Part III and nurse managers & nurse supervisors bargaining units the evening, according to the union.
“Both sides of the negotiating team have worked hard to get to this point, and I thank them for their dedication,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “As a government, we value the important work all nurses do every day. We are pleased to reach these tentative agreements and we look forward to continuing to work with the nurses union in the years to come.”
The New Brunswick Nurses Union (NBNU) represents 8,890 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners, working in hospitals, public and community health programs, Ambulance NB, extra-mural and other settings across the province. Additionally, NBNU also represent the bargaining unit of more 250 nurse managers and supervisors within the two provincial health authorities.
The parties have agreed to withhold details of the agreements pending their ratification, both the NB government and the union said.
Previously, a union in Yukon slammed a hospital’s use of agency workers, claiming that the actions made by the employer have made staff feel “disposable”.
Also, a health-care worker previously contradicted the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) claim that it had addressed all pay issues in its relaunched payroll system.
