Health Care Workers And NS Health Authorities Reach Tentative Deal
HALIFAX — The Health Care Council of Unions has reached a tentative agreement with the Nova Scotia government health authorities (NSH and IWK) for a new collective bargaining agreement, bringing a halt to a potential strike vote. The two sides came to the agreement late Tuesday night.
“After five days of conciliation, we believe the deal put on the table late Tuesday afternoon was one that indeed was enough to reverse the decision to ask our membership to contemplate strike action,” said Les Duff, acting president of Local 8920, in a press release on Wednesday.
“I’m pleased that the bargaining committee was able to reach a tentative agreement to bring back to these members who have been on the frontline of the pandemic for more than a year now,” added Unifor Atlantic regional director Linda MacNeil.
Details of the tentative agreement are not being released yet. But past press releases from the unions show that money was a big sticking point for health care workers.
“After hailing health care workers as ‘heroes’ for the past 16 months, the Rankin government walked away from the table yesterday when the unions tabled an offer that would lift many of these workers from being amongst the lowest paid in the country,” stated one such release from earlier this summer. “Now, these same health care workers may be forced to take strike action to achieve a fair collective agreement.”
“Wages for many health care workers have fallen below where they should be in comparison to other provinces. This is in large part due to seven years of austerity by the Provincial government.”
Someone familiar with the contract negotiations said the new deal contains a “fair” wage package. And in the latest press release, NSGEU president Jason MacLean said he supports the wages now being offered by the government.
“This agreement includes a wage offer and language improvements that are reasonable and recognize the significant contributions health care workers make each and every day,” MacLean is quoted as saying.
Before the tentative deal can become official, however, the 7500 union members will have to vote on it. The union’s bargaining team is recommending a vote in favour of the deal.
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