Nova Scotia hearing and speech specialists taking strike vote

Seeking benefits in line with other health care workers Halifax (8 Jan. 2008) - Hearing and speech specialists represented by the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) are taking a province-wide strike vote in a bid to win benefits comparable with other health sector workers.

During the last half of this month strike votes will be held across the province. Meetings begin in Halifax (Jan. 14) and continue in Bridgewater (Jan. 15), Yarmouth (Jan. 16), Kentville (Jan. 17), Truro (Jan. 23), Amherst (Jan. 24), Sydney (Jan. 28), Antigonish (Jan. 29) and New Glasgow (Jan. 30). Ballots will be counted Jan. 31 at NSGEU offices in Dartmouth.

The decision to take a strike vote follows unsuccessful negotiating sessions in October and November.

"The employer’s package included 2.9% increases in each year of a three-year contract for all classifications and one additional 2.1% increase for audiologists and speech language pathologists," the union says in an update to all affected members.

"The employer did not agree with the union’s other monetary proposals on retirement allowance, retiree benefits, vacation and bereavement leave – all increases that would give you parity with other NSGEU members at Capital Health, the IWK and other NSGEU locals."

The province argued during negotiations that Nova Scotia hearing and speech centres do not provide acute care services and therefore employees are not entitled to the same benefits as other health care employees.

"The employer’s position and arguments are not acceptable," NSGEU adds. "It shouldn’t matter that your employer is not an acute care employer. You should receive the same benefits achieved by other NSGEU members in the health care sector. In past negotiations your committee was successful in achieving major improvements in your collective agreement such as a better health and pension plans.

"Your bargaining committee is committed to make major improvements to your collective agreement such as retirement allowance and benefits – a goal that needs your commitment and support to achieve."

NSGEU is asking members to give their bargaining committee "strong support" when the strike votes take place. NUPGE

 (Published as n08ja08a.htm)