A coalition representing 4,600 health support workers in Nova Scotia has filed for conciliation after contract negotiations with the province and employers failed to yield progress.
The Health Support Council of Unions, which includes Unifor, the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU), and CUPE, said the move comes after months of bargaining with IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health produced what they describe as an inadequate financial offer.
“This round of health care negotiations should be an easy win for Premier Houston… just treat health support workers fairly and put an offer on the table that respects the people who make hospitals work,” said Jennifer Murray, Unifor’s Atlantic regional director.
The unions and employers jointly requested a government-appointed conciliator, acknowledging that talks had reached a standstill.
Health support workers are part of the broader acute care system and include utility workers, dietary aides, tradespeople, porters, and laundry staff.
The unions said they are seeking similar wage gains and terms that were previously negotiated for the province’s other three acute care bargaining units: nurses, health care workers, and administrative professionals.
“All health care workers deserve a fair deal that will help them keep pace with our affordability crisis,” said Sandra Mullen, president of NSGEU. “Health support workers are an invaluable part of the overall health care team and should be treated as such by this government.”
Dianne Frittenburg, president of CUPE 8920, said the province’s offer does little to address the rising cost of living and accused the government of showing “little respect” for support staff by withholding comparable terms.
Essential services talks are still underway. Once those are complete, the unions said, the workers could be in a legal strike position if required.
Negotiations began in September 2024.
