Government Will Introduce Legislation to Determine Health-care Representation

Arbitrator James Dorsey has failed to make a decision about union representation in the acute-care system.

A report released today, Feb. 20, has determined union representation for only one of the four bargaining units.

As a result, Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine will introduce new legislation that will determine which union will represent each of the three remaining bargaining units -- support, clerical and nursing. All four existing health-care unions will be preserved in this legislation.

"For too long, labour relations has been a barrier to the changes we need in our health-care system. And too often, protracted and difficult labour negotiations have resulted in cancelled surgeries, disrupted health care and longer waits for Nova Scotians," said Mr. Glavine.

"Mr. Dorsey was given a clear mandate: to create a labour landscape that would allow the changes Nova Scotians know are needed. He has failed to fulfill his mandate."

Mr. Dorsey's report determined the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees' Union would represent the health-care bargaining unit. He did not determine representation for support, nursing or clerical.

Mr. Dorsey's Jan. 19 report determined that there would be four bargaining units: health care, support, clerical and nursing. That will reduce the number of bargaining units from 50, and ensure there are four bargaining processes.

Mr. Glavine said the legislation will have no impact on the new provincial health authority's start date of April 1.

Mr. Dorsey's full report is available at http://novascotia.ca/dhw/PeopleCentredHealthCare/ .