Health Care Bargaining and Essential Service Update Feb 21st 2024

Health Care Bargaining Unit

Bargaining & Essential Services Update

Dear CUPE member,

Your committee continues to prepare for bargaining for the Health Care bargaining unit. We will exchange proposals with your employers on Monday, March 4th.

At the same time, our work on reaching an essential services agreement continues.

What are Essential Services?

As a result of legislation passed by the past Liberal provincial government, the NSGEU now bargains as part of a Council of Unions. Along with Unifor and NSGEU for the Health Care Council, we collectively represent approximately 7,500 health care workers working in a wide variety of roles at Nova Scotia Health (NSH) throughout the province and the IWK. We are also now compelled by legislation to work with the employer to establish an Essential Services staffing agreement prior to any legal strike action taking place.

So far, union representatives have met with the employers seven times to try and work out essential services staffing agreements. We have made progress, and have three additional dates scheduled on February 22, March 6, and March 26.

Please keep a close eye on your email over the coming weeks and speak with your coworkers to ensure they are receiving updates from the union, as well.

If you have questions or concerns about the bargaining process, please contact your area VP.

https://8920.cupe.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/153/2024/02/HC-Update-20240221.pdf