Capital Health workers vote to strike
Posted Mar 20, 2012 06:04:44 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Health care workers employed by the Capital District Health Authority have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
The Nova Scotia Government Employees Union Local 42 represents 3,800 pharmacists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, diagnostic imaging technologists, lab technologists and Licensed Practical Nurses.
Union president Joan Jessome said the vote was 91 per cent in favour of striking, making it the strongest mandate in the local’s history.
“They’re surprised at the percentage but hopefully that will have an impact on what they’re able to deliver at the table in April,” Jessome told News 95.7.
The main point of contention is wages, and Jessome says the two sides are far apart on the issue.
“In a three-year deal, the employer offered one, one and one, and that’s nowhere what we’ve asked for,” she said. “The local’s looking for the same settlement that the RNs achieved for this year, and cost of living for the next two years.”
An arbitrator awarded registered nurses at Capital Health a 5.1 per cent increase last fall
Capital Health vice-president of people Kathy MacNeil says a hike of that magnitude is just not feasible.
“It’s not affordable for us an employer but we also know that this would have an impact at the system level,” said MacNeil. “From a sustainability perspective it’s just not something the taxpayers could afford.”
MacNeils said the vote results are worrying, because the union represents employees who are vital to the health care system.
“Things like access to lab testing, diagnostic imaging, ex-ray, CT scans, the care that’s delivered by LPNs, there’s no question there’d be an impact,” said MacNeil.
Three days of talks between the employer and the union are scheduled to begin April 3.
