FREDERICTON: The New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions (NBCNHU) is outraged with the government’s interference with the collective bargaining process.
“The NBCNHU reached a tentative agreement with the New Brunswick Nursing Home Association (NBNHA) last Thursday morning. The statement issued yesterday by the Minister of State for Seniors, Brian Kenny, is misleading. We never rejected the offer made by the Association”, said Valerie Black, president of the NBCNHU which represents more than 4000 nursing homes workers.
“In fact, the tentative agreement reached last Thursday was ratified by over 90% by the employees of the 46 nursing homes that the council represents,” explained Black.
“This agreement was reached through good faith bargaining by both sides. A tentative agreement letter was signed by both parties and sent to the Premier.”
“We are extremely disappointed with the government decision to interfere with the private sector bargaining process. Nursing home workers are private sector employees and they don’t negotiate with the government but with the NBNHA”, added Black.
“The importance of the implementation of this collective agreement is paramount to resolving the recruitment and retention issues in the nursing homes. As we all know, many nursing home beds are closed because of a lack of workers while residents are waiting in hospital beds at a much greater cost to the taxpayers.”
“The Council also wants this agreement in effect to begin implementing the initiatives agreed on to reduce injuries in the workplace and improve workplace wellness issues.”
“The New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions is pursuing all legal avenues to have the collective agreement that was ratified on Monday implemented”, concluded Black.
For more information:
Valerie Black, President NBCNHU 506.447.1188 (c)
Danielle Savoie, Communications CUPE 506.381.1966 (C)