The Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board today certified the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) as the union for Paladin Security workers who work under contract for the Nova Scotia Health Authority.
“Sixteen months of organizing efforts paid off for this group of 388 workers, despite the objections raised by the employer that were ultimately dismissed by the labour board,” says Govind Rao, a CUPE representative who is involved in the drive. “The members of CUPE Local 5479 voted nearly 90 per cent in favour of joining CUPE.”
“This is a great day,” says Nan McFadgen, president of CUPE Nova Scotia. “Now we can get down to the important work of negotiating a first collective agreement that will truly make a positive change in the lives of our members.”
CUPE is the second largest union in Nova Scotia, representing over 20,000 members who provide quality public services in long-term care, schools, hospitals, municipalities, child care, universities, highways, community services, home support, transition homes and more.