House Recalled to Protect Health and Safety

The Nova Scotia Legislature will sit on Thursday, June 14, at 2 p.m. to consider a bill to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians, Ron Russell, Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, announced today.

"Despite our best efforts to reach agreements through collective bargaining, the threat of multiple strikes now places the well- being of Nova Scotians in jeopardy," said Mr. Russell. "We value our health care employees. Without them, the system can’t meet people’s needs. We must act to protect Nova Scotians."

"The proposed legislation will allow for collective bargaining to continue," said Mr. Russell. "Our hope would be that mediation talks and conciliation processes under way, or requested in the future, will result in negotiated agreements."

The decision to recall the legislature was prompted by information received today by Health Minister Jamie Muir that a strike by health care workers would leave Nova Scotians without the critical services they need.

"The reductions in beds, services and staff caused by a strike would place people’s lives at risk," said Mr. Muir. "The government is not prepared to take that risk."

Mr. Muir said the offer to Nova Scotia’s nurses would make them the highest paid in Atlantic Canada.

"Fair and reasonable offers have been made to Nova Scotia nurses and other health care workers," he said. "The rejection of these offers has left government with little alternative to introducing legislation to ensure the health and safety of Nova Scotians."

In particular, the province has provided funding for a variety of programs and initiatives that will mean higher wages, better training, educational bursaries and professional development for those in and entering the nursing profession.

There are more than 9,000 health care workers threatening to take strike action. The province has been in negotiation with those groups for over six months.