Arbitration Not Accepted

Efforts by the organization representing eight district health authorities to avoid a potential health-care strike have been rejected by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

The Nova Scotia Association of Hospital Organizations, supported by the provincial government, offered to bring the outstanding issues in the current collective bargaining dispute with CUPE to third party arbitration so patient care would not be affected by the labour dispute.

But the union has, for now, rejected the offer. Its 3,300 clerical, technical, and service hospital workers across the province remain in a legal strike position as of midnight Oct. 31.

The district health authorities have said they will have to begin cancelling elective surgeries and moving patients within days.

"We wanted to avoid disruptions to service and impact on patients and families," said Peter MacKinnon, CEO of the Colchester East Hants Health Authority and spokesperson for the district health authorities. "We were hoping to use this mechanism to resolve our differences we're extremely disappointed."

Employers and the union have not been able to agree on retiree benefits, general wage adjustments, and outstanding pension issues.

"We're extremely disappointed by the union's initial response," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont. "I hope they'll reconsider given the impact a strike would have on their patients."

"We'd like to see the two parties negotiate a settlement, but based on CUPE's full pension proposal alone, we'd be looking at up to $65 million in additional costs just in the first year. And that jumps to more than $95 million when you apply it and other benefit requests to the other three unions, who are looking for similar adjustments. This province just can't afford to spend that kind of additional money on health care with no increase in access or benefits for patients," said Mr. d'Entremont. "There is only one bank account."

Mr. d'Entremont expressed concern about the impact a labour disruption would have on Nova Scotians. "I know we are about to embark on a very stressful time for families and for those health professionals who are helping during this time. I want to thank them in advance for their patience and add that I hope the walkout can still be averted," said Mr. d'Entremont.