Health, education ministers ask for strike contingencies
Posted Jan 8, 2010 05:42:30 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As Halifax hospitals get their ducks in a row, Nova Scotia’s ministers of health and education are also preparing for the impact of thousands of workers walking off the job.
Maintenance workers in schools and support staff in hospitals outside Halifax are preparing for strike action on January 18.
Education Minister Marilyn More says she has asked every board to prepare a contingency plan in case of a walkout.
“I think the primary concern and responsibility for all of us is to make sure that the students and staff are in a facility that’s safe and clean,” she said. “I’m sure the contingency plans will reflect that as a priority.
Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says she has asked every health district to design a contingency plan that will address emergencies and cancer care.
“Patient safety is our number one priority,” she said. “We would encourage the parties to go to the table and reach a solution there. And we will continue to develop the contingency plans, but they’ve been underway for a number of weeks now.”
Premier Darrell Dexter would not comment on whether he would consider back to work legislation.
“I’m not going to get into speculating about what happens after a work stoppage,” he said. “I don’t think it’s fruitful or productive. Our focus is on trying to find a negotiated settlement.”
Union leaders say their key issue is maintaining wage parity with workers in Halifax, but the deputy premier said earlier this week that the province simply couldn’t afford to offer it.
