Logos of three unions: Unifor, NSGEU, and CUPE

Unions file for conciliation after talks with NS Health and IWK break down

Talks between the Health Support Bargaining Unit and Nova Scotia Health and the IWK have reached an impasse, with unions filing for conciliation in hopes of securing a new collective agreement for more than 3,000 health care workers across the province. “We are most focused on supporting these members’ concerns about their working conditions and helping them during dramatically rising inflation,” said Linda MacNeil, Unifor Atlantic regional director. “Support unit workers don’t get the attention the more visible members of the health care teams do, but they are just as integral to the operation of our health care services and need to be respected for the essential work they do.” The Health Support Bargaining Unit is comprised of members represented by Unifor, CUPE and NSGEU. They work in classifications such as maintenance, power engineering, plumbing, electrical, laundry, food services, and environmental services. “The members of this bargaining unit kept patients … Read more…

NSSBCU logo

Bargaining update for CUPE school support staff

Member update on bargaining from the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions. The bargaining process There are two levels of bargaining taking place simultaneously, “provincial” and “local”. CUPE’s education locals, known collectively as the Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions (NSSBCU), represents members working for all seven Regional Centres of Education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP). Your CUPE provincial bargaining team is made up of the presidents of eight locals and the CUPE education sector coordinator, and with the assistance of the CUPE Atlantic regional director. The employer’s provincial bargaining team is made up of a human resources representative from each of the eight Regional Centres of Education, as well as one government representative, and one legal counsel (who is also their chief spokesperson). In January, the parties signed a “memorandum of conditions” for CUPE common table (provincial) bargaining. This agreement was signed by all seven … Read more…

Closeup photo of a gavel

Indecision on Bill 148 leaves opportunity for Houston to repeal anti-worker legislation

The following joint statement was issued by the NS Federation of Labour in response to a judgement issued today by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.  Unions representing more than 70,000 public sector workers in Nova Scotia are issuing a joint response after the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal declined to make a decision regarding the constitutionality of the public service wage suppression legislation, known as Bill 148. The unions are disappointed there was no conclusive decision, following nearly six years of legal proceedings, which were substantially delayed by the Nova Scotia government. Over that time, the legislation has seriously impaired the process of free and fair collective bargaining, having a real and detrimental economic impact on a substantial portion of Nova Scotian workers, retirees, and their families. While the legislation is a legacy of former Premier Stephen McNeil, the responsibility to right this wrong now lays with Premier Tim Houston, who … Read more…