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"It’s difficult to hear the health CEOs crying poor when they can afford to spend millions on consultants. And I’m disappointed they would treat their employees – the very heart of the health system – with such disrespect."
Halifax (09 Feb. 2012) - Joan Jessome, President of the Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) showed her disappointment with the recently issued statement by the CEOs of the province's 10 Health Authorities.
Jessome wrote, "I am disappointed the province’s health CEOs are working together to prevent collective bargaining and keep their employees from achieving a wage that keeps up with the cost of living.
I can’t believe they would be so irresponsible. They’re pitting worker against worker, telling them that the work of some employees is more valuable than the work of others.
In their release, the health CEOs assert that Nova Scotians do not believe cost of living wage increases are sustainable. It’s an assertion that has touched a nerve across NSGEU/NUPGE’s health care locals; we’ve been receiving emails and phone calls from members all day. These are people who care about what they do, but they’re feeling hurt and angry by what the CEOs are saying."
You can read the full response here.
Bargaining is scheduled to take place on Feb. 14, 15 and 16.
More information:
Read the full statement on health care negotiations
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE