Health Support Services Bargaining Unit Essential Services Update

Dear CUPE member,

The Nova Scotia Council of Health Support Unions is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, after two days of mediation with a representative from the Labour Board and Nova Scotia Health (NSH), we have concluded negotiations of an essential services plan for your bargaining unit.  As you may recall, the essential services plan with the IWK was completed over a year ago.

This is a huge accomplishment, as this is the first essential service agreement reached by the Council of Health Support Unions since Bill 1 legislation was passed in 2014.

Your bargaining committee begins its final days of conciliation on May 26 and 27.

There will be no additional conciliation dates scheduled, and the outcome of these two days will determine our next steps. 

With the conclusion of the essential services agreement, if your committee is unable to reach a fair deal, we will be well positioned to hold a strike vote. The committee is still optimistic a fair deal can be reached that respects your roles in health care teams and the important work you do every day.

The Council of Health Support Unions consists of members from Unifor, CUPE and NSGEU, representing over 4,000 workers across Nova Scotia employed by NSH and IWK.

Please watch your emails next week for updates on bargaining and make sure you are registered and personally receiving our emails as this will enable you to vote.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Area VP.