Forced-work legislation will only make matters worse: Union / Conciliation talks break down over nurse-to-patient ratio
Back-to-work legislation will only make matters worse in Vancouver Port Dispute: Union
VANCOUVER — British Columbia transportation minister Todd Stone’s latest effort to end the Metro Vancouver port dispute will only make matters worse, Unifor said in a statement.
The union said Stone’s refusal to negotiate with container truck drivers — and the introduction of forced-work legislation — will never lead to a long-term solution.
"The minister can’t expect to stick his head in the sand and make this go away," said Paul Johal, president of Unifor-Vancouver Container Truckers’ Association (VCTA). "A negotiated settlement is the only sustainable solution. "
Unifor-VCTA members recently voted unanimously in favour of a strike after more than 18 months of failed negotiations.
Non-union truckers walked off the job late in February, and several hundred Unifor members joined them on March 10.
The union said its members are concerned about the Port of Vancouver’s long line-ups and wait times.
The long lines and wasted time cost truck drivers money, the union said.
Members have reportedly also voiced concerns that rates agreed to in previous contract negotiations were not being honoured "due to under-cutting."
"Stripping workers of their right to negotiate fair working conditions is not leadership," said Unifor’s national president Jerry Dias.
"We’re actively seeking a resolution that works for everyone, but that can’t be done if the minister doesn’t take workers’ rights seriously."
Conciliation talks break down over nurse-to-patient ratio in Nova Scotia
HALIFAX — Talks have broken down between Capital Health and the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) Local 97 after just one day of conciliation.
The union reports the employer refuses to bargain on an article-by-article basis while the issue of nurse-to-patient ratio remains on the table.
"Capital Health and the provincial government are ignoring the nurses’ main bargaining issue," said union president Joan Jessome in a statement. "Nurses are adamant about achieving nurse-to-patient ratios to improve patient safety. Nurses know ratios mean better patient care, faster recoveries and safer hospitals. The McNeil government should be listening to nurses on safety, not ignoring them."
Jessome went on to say the government’s interference in recent bargaining for home support workers in the province had a significant impact on the collapse of the nurses’ talks.
"Capital Health bargained like it expected the McNeil government to bring in essential services legislation in the event it couldn’t reach a deal," she said. "That interference meant Capital Health felt no pressure."
The employer reportedly refused to negotiate reasonable emergency service coverage in the event of a strike.
Jessome said nurses would provide full coverage in emergency rooms, ICUs, veterans’ care, hemodialysis and cancer care as well as basic coverage in other areas.
A strike vote held in February saw nurses vote overwhelmingly in favour of job action. Ninety per cent of workers voted to walk off the job to back contract demands.
"The McNeil government has decided to participate in blackmail bargaining rather than listen to nurses’ real concerns about patient safety," Jessome said. "That is a mistake."
