Security for health care staff, public all in one

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

There's a new bill on the table at the Legislature and it’s one that Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent says will help put a dent in Nova Scotia's despondent health care system by preventing strike shut-downs.

The Kings' North MP has been touring the province plugging the proposed amendments to the current Trade Union Act and asking for input.

Parent dropped by the Hants Journal Office last Friday to discuss the proposed amendments to the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act that will affect public safety and health care workers on many levels.

Parent says that as it stands now Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan are the only provinces in Canada that do not have some system in place to prevent health care workers from going on strike or alternatively institutions from locking doors on workers during negotiations; actions that he says puts all Nova Scotian's at risk. “We have an alternative that would ensure settlements without strike.”

The priorities in the two pronged approach are public safety and fairness to unionized workers.

“We have similar legislature in place for police and firefighters; we need this for Hospitals and Health Care workers, as well,” he said. “Its the public that suffer when a strike is on. We just can't afford to have hospitals shut down or ambulances not running.”

The catalyst for drafting the amendments was the latest IWK strike. Although that strike only lasted 24 hours Parent said that more than 400 procedures where rescheduled and 60 surgeries canceled. “Even if its only one hospital in negotiations there's a ripple effect through the entire system. No one hospital stands in isolation.”

Current legislation flawed

Parent said the current back to work legislation is obviously flawed and does little but cause bad feelings all the way around, “There must be a better way to negotiate that also considers the workers needs.” The bill will introduce two new tools for resolving collective bargaining disputes; interest arbitration and binding mediation.

After a three month consultation period the new bill has been drafted and he says it has met with approval on many levels including the Nova Scotia Health Association who covers all regional Health Authorities.

However, passing the bill in the Legislature is just one more hurdle a minority government must face. “It's a difficult process for a minority parliament. We just can't ram things through, we need the support of the opposition.”

Parent has met with NDP and Liberal representatives and says he is open to suggestions from them.

“If you don't like this solution, what do you suggest? That's what I'll ask. Maybe there's something we missed. If so let us know we want this to be the best public safety bill out there.

“The priority is to get this bill passed and put through,” he said. “If they have ideas we're more than happy to hear them as long as the objectives of public safety and fairness to workers are addressed. If there's an alternative model out there that works we want to know about it.”

Parent said that now is the time to look at union issues -- when there are no strikes pending. “The problem is no one wants to tackle the issue until there's an actual strike and that is not the time to deal with it, when people are feeling the crunch. Passing this bill now will ensure there are proper procedures before negotiations begin.”

Parent acknowledges other health care crisis facing Nova Scotians, such as emergency room closures and long wait times, but he says passing this bill will help to alleviate one stress on a “health care system that is running full tilt plus.”





Let's Talk...

Minister of Environment and Labour Mark Parent will host a live Webcast to discuss proposed amendments to the Nova Scotia Trade Union Act.

These proposed amendments preserve the collective bargaining process while protecting the health, safety and well being of the public, and cover 32,000 workers in the health and community services sectors. Mark Parent will be answering you questions during a Live Webcast from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Send your questions in advance or email them during the Webcast to webcast@gv.ns.ca

For more information and to check out the amendments visit www.gov.ns.ca then log on to www.gov.ns.ca on November 14 at 7 pm.