N.S. hospitals cancel elective surgeries as strike by nurses approaches
Posted Mar 31, 2014 07:40:23 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Mediated talks between Capital Health and the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) aimed at averting a strike by 2,400 Halifax-area nurses are set to resume today.
NSGEU president Joan Jessome tells Global News even with the new talks, there are no guarantees.
“There’s a very strong possibility legislation will be introduced on the nurses,” she explains. “Going back to the table doesn’t mean we get a deal. If legislation is introduced and passed we’re not ruling out the fact that many nurses will use the option of resigning. Whether it will be en masse or not, I don’t know yet.”
Registered nurse Joan Bourque says there’s a lot at stake.
“There are days when we don’t even get breaks, there are days when we don’t even have time to go to the bathroom and when we do get a break, you worry about your fellow RN left in there with six sick patients,” she says.
The nurses showed the premier how frustrated they are with the process when they stormed the hotel where the Liberal’s were holding their AGM Saturday morning. While most were stopped short, and escorted out, a few made it to the premier.
“This part of democracy, they’re obviously expressing their views but I hope they get back to the bargaining table and find a resolution at the bargaining table,” says McNeil.
Meanwhile, Atlantic Canada’s largest health authority has started cancelling elective surgeries scheduled for early next week because of a possible walkout by nurses in the Halifax area.
Spokesman John Gillis of the Capital District Health Authority says elective surgeries are being cancelled for Monday and Tuesday at various Halifax hospitals.
A figure wasn’t available today on the number of cancellations, but Gillis says they include knee and hip procedures, as well as hernia operations.
The nurses will be in a legal strike position on Thursday at midnight.
Gillis says an agreement also hasn’t been reached between the health authority and the NSGEU on minimal emergency services that would be provided if there is a strike.
Premier McNeil says he has asked for an assessment on the chances of getting a deal on emergency services.
