Traditional funding and operation for Cape Breton hospitals in the public’s best interest: CUPE Nova Scotia

“Reversing the decision to construct two new health centres in Cape Breton through public-private partnerships (P3s) was the right one,” says CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen. “The traditional model that includes public funding, maintenance and operations is in the best interest of Nova Scotians.” At a panel discussion held in Halifax on Tuesday, the Nova Scotia Deputy Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Paul Lafleche announced that, “We initially thought, we mused — never a good thing to do in the media — we mused about doing P3s for some of the Cape Breton expansion or build and after getting down to look at the details of those projects, the scale of them, we asked ourselves a lot of questions … we then decided we would not do P3s in Cape Breton.” “Hopefully, the millions of dollars saved by this decision will be put into front line services,” adds … Read more…

Strike Vote - Northside Guest Home in Sydney

Northside Guest Home long-term care workers take strike vote

Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1876, workers employed by the Northside Guest Home in North Sydney, voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike at a meeting held September 25, 2019. “It’s been very disappointing that the employer has not taken our members’ concerns seriously,” said CUPE 1876 President Wanda Bond. Issues that remain to be negotiated include time off, scheduling, seniority, and training courses. “One of the items that the union is attempting to negotiate is contract language that will lead to a fairer work-life balance. For example, workers are asking for every second weekend off. At the moment, some staff are going an entire month without a weekend off,” says John Gillies, CUPE National representative. “We think what we’re asking for is reasonable. Without quality time off employees and their family life suffer.” They have been in bargaining since June 2019 and … Read more…