(Halifax) Contract talks between CUPE health care workers and some 35 Nova Scotia hospitals have broken off, and the union is applying for conciliation.
The employer group representing every hospital district in the province, excluding the capital district, told the union today theres no need to meet for the rest of the days that had been scheduled for October.
CUPE Health Care Co-ordinator Wayne Thomas says, Despite nine days of face to face meetings, there has been zero movement from the employer on any of our substantive issues.
Says Thomas, Under normal circumstances these actions would precipitate a strike vote, but its clear the hospitals are taking advantage of the situation created by the provincial governments final offer selection process.
While the hospitals talk like they want to avoid final offer selection, its becoming quite clear to our bargaining committee that normal bargaining is not going to happen. The prospect of a negotiated settlement is not looking good right now, says Thomas.
CUPE represents some 3,000 health care workers in 35 hospitals across Nova Scotia.
For information:
Wayne Thomas, CUPE National Representative,
(902) 759-1057 (Cell) - (902) 485-4719 (h)
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Representative
(902) 455-4180 (o)