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“If the nurses of NSGEU/NUPGE are legislated back to work, it will be the third piece of anti-worker legislation from this government since they took office in October." — Rick Clarke, NSFL President.
Halifax (28 Mar. 2014) — The Officers of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour (NSFL) met early this morning and will soon convene a meeting of provincial union leadership to plan a strategy in light of the Liberal government attacks on basic collective bargaining and the right to strike which will affect the entire labour movement.
Labour movement in Nova Scotia to meet to develop strategy against the attack on labour rights by Liberal government
NSFL President Rick Clarke said this is not just about the nursing members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) at Capital Health but an overall attack on all workers.
“The Premier has made it clear the Liberal government loyalty is with the employer and not with workers or those they care for," said Clarke. “We are against interfering in the collective bargaining process in this way."
If nurses are legislated back to work by the Liberal government, it will be the third anti-worker bill in less than six months
Clarke said the Premier is on record speaking against taking away the right to strike yet he did exactly that with the home support workers.
“If the nurses of NSGEU/NUPGE are legislated back to work, it will be the third piece of anti-worker legislation from this government since they took office in October — the first being a Bill undermining first contract arbitration. We believe that this is merely the tip of the iceburg as we can look back at past Liberal governments and their track records,” said Clarke.
“Stephen McNeil is the Premier of the province, and we believe he needs to stop micromanaging and show health care workers the respect they deserve, and let the collective bargaining process prevail,” Clarke concluded.
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