Storm slams Maritimes, workers' paycheques

Largest health board in Nova Scotia won't pay nurses, other staff for time missed because of massive winter storm

The winter storm that slammed the Maritime provinces last week with record snowfall is hitting workers in the pocketbooks.

Thousands of nurses and other hospital workers in Halifax have been told by Capital Health — the largest health board in the province — that they will not be paid for storm days.

Many were kept home by the 95 centimetres of snow that hit Nova Scotia. Capital Health has told its 8,500 workers that they must use vacation, take accumulated overtime or work extra shifts to make up for the storm days.

According to a Canadian Press report, unionized workers are being encouraged to file grievances. Thousands of workers across the province will likely take a hit on their paycheques because of the massive storm.

Nova Scotia doesn’t have any legislation requiring employers to pay non-essential staff ordered to stay home during a state of emergency.

Kerry Morash, Nova Scotia’s Labour Minister, has encouraged employers to do right by their employees.

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