This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
Arbitrator awards 7.5 per cent increase over three years to Capital Health health care employees in NSGEU/NUPGE (Local 42); reaffirms principle of leading acute-care wages at CDHA.
Halifax (15 June 2012) - Arbitrator Tom Kuttner today awarded a 7.5 per cent increase over three years to all Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) health care workers employed by Captial Health (Local 42).
“We respect the arbitrator’s ruling and although we may be disappointed the wages do not reflect what we hoped to achieve, we respect the process both sides have taken part in to get here,” says Neil McNeil, NSGEU Healthcare Servicing Coordinator.
The NSGEU/NUPGE had argued for an increase of 9.5 per cent over three years in order to keep up with the rising cost of living in Nova Scotia and to maintain leading wage rates in Atlantic Canada. According to the collective agreement, the arbitrator couldn’t have awarded anything less than 6.5 per cent over three years. The award is roughly in the middle of those two.
“The members of Local 42 voted to send the issue of wages to arbitration and we were able to achieve a resolve without legislative interference and avoid any labour disruption in health care,” McNeil continues. “Free collective bargaining works.”
The arbitrator set out wages increases as two per cent in November 2011, 2.5 per cent in November 2012 and three per cent in November 2012.
Along with setting the Local 42 wage increases, the arbitration decision also reaffirms the principle that Health Care employees at CDHA -- the most sophisticated and advanced hospital system in the region -- be the highest paid in Atlantic Canada.
There are more than 3,500 NSGEU/NUPGE health care members Capital Health. They work in more than 150 job titles including licensed practical nurses, occupational therapists, medical labratory technicians, sterile processing technicians, emergency room paramedics, diagnostic imaging technicians, social workers, unit aides and personal support workers.
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