Printer FriendlyLatest News
April 25th, 2012
9:15 p.m.
Media Release: Tentative agreement between Capital Health and NSGEU Local 42
HALIFAX – A tentative agreement has been reached between Capital Health and NSGEU Local 42, averting a strike by about 3,700 health care professionals that was set for Thursday.April 24th, 2012
7:55 p.m.
No details will be released pending a ratification vote by Local 42 members.
“This news is the best outcome we could have hoped for our patients and their families,” Chris Power, president and CEO of Capital Health, said late in the day Wednesday. “We know that even the threat of a strike has had a tremendous impact on them, as well as on our employees, both in Local 42 and others.
“We are anxious now to turn our energy to returning to normal operations, providing safe, quality care to the citizens of the district, as well as specialist care to patients from other parts of Atlantic Canada.”
Some services, such as diagnostic imaging and labs, will resume full operations by Thursday. Rebooking of postponed appointments at outpatient clinics will be done as quickly as possible, based on the clinical priorities and as determined by the physician and administrative co-leader. Until the agreement is ratified, Capital Health expects to maintain some bed closures.
“If the agreement isn’t accepted by the membership, the union will still be in a legal strike position – and the threat to our operations remains,” said Power. “That said, following a successful vote, there would be no lag time in reopening beds.”
An agreement was reached after five days of talks assisted by mediator Bruce Outhouse, appointed by the Nova Scotia government.
Local 42 is made up of many of the professionals who provide direct care and others whose roles support care. Members work in more than 250 roles.
-30-
Media Enquiries:
Capital Health Marketing and Communications
(902) 458-5376 (pager)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
April 24th, 2012
7:55 p.m.
Latest news from Capital Health:
- NSGEU Local 42 has postponed a potential strike until Thursday, April 26 at 7:00 a.m.
- Mediated talks between Capital Health and NSGEU Local 42 will continue.
- Capital Health will be operating a strike service levels on Wednesday, April 25 and on Thursday April, 26.
- There will be no picket lines on Wednesday, April 25.
April 19th, 2012 :
IWK Health Centre in contingency planning for potential CDHA labour disruption
As you may have heard in the media recently, conciliation talks between Capital Health and NSGEU Local 42 bargaining unit reached an impasse last week. As a result, NSGEU will be in a legal strike position as early as 12:01 am, Wednesday, April 25th, 2012.
The IWK Health Centre is optimistic that any labour disruption at Capital Health will be avoided prior to April 25th. The IWK shares some clinical services with Capital Health, including some laboratory and pathology services which will cause a disruption in some services provided to patients of the IWK.
While we remain hopeful that a work stoppage will be avoided, the IWK has begun the necessary work to address plans and protocols that may be needed should a disruption occur. A team of key people from across the Health Centre has started this work.
In the event that a labour disruption does occur, some patient procedures and appointments at the IWK may need to be rescheduled. All of our appointments are currently being reviewed to identify which patients may need to have their appointment or procedure rescheduled.
Please note, over the next few days the IWK will be contacting patients and families whose appointment will need to rescheduled or moved to a different location.
Please continue to visit our website (www.iwk.nshealth.ca) for up-to-date information regarding service impacts at the IWK Health Centre. More detailed information regarding strike planning will be provided as it becomes available.
NSGEU represents 3,700 Capital Health employees in 255 roles including Diagnostic Imaging (which include MRI Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists and more), Medical Laboratory Technologists, Licensed Practical Nurses, Social Workers, Respiratory Therapists, Clinical Dieticians, Triage Paramedics, Pharmacists, Recreation therapists, Ward Aids, Operating Room technicians, and CSPD.
