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Union accepts request from Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations (NSAHO) to devote full public resources to the situation.
Halifax (5 Nov. 2009) - The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) has agreed to put contract bargaining on hold for two months in the acute care sector to devote full resources to the H1N1 health care crisis.
The union has posted a notice on its website saying the decision was made after consultations with the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations (NSAHO).
"A letter from Robert Dunn, the director of NSAHO, on behalf of the District Health Authorities and the IWK [Izaak Walton Killam Health Sciences Centre] in Halifax officially requested that the Health Authorities and the IWK put collective bargaining and collective bargaining related activities 'on hold' for the next few months in order to devote their health resources to the public needs," the union says.
"According to the letter, this request comes as the health authorities try to meet challenges caused by the H1N1 flu pandemic. There have been increased demands [that] have already required the health authorities to shift and cancel some services in order to meet public needs,” NSGEU adds.
The union said it was "disappointed but not surprised" at the request and that NSGEU president Joan Jessome has agreed to the two-month delay. "It is important to note that this request is specific to acute care only at this time," the union adds.
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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