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CUPE LTC Strike

WCB Nova Scotia contract talks stall after workers reject offer

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Contract talks between Worker’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) and its union have stalled after workers ‘overwhelmingly’ rejected the employer’s latest offer.

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) President, Sandra Mullen, says the proposal includes concessions that would roll back wages, benefits, and workplace protections.

The dispute comes as WCB continues to publicly highlight strong financial results, including lower employer rates and what it describes as a supportive workplace culture.

“These achievements didn’t just happen,” said Mullen. “They are the result of the skill, dedication, and professionalism of the people who work at WCB every day. Those same workers are now being asked to accept less.”

Mullen says the union has filed complaints, alleging the employer moved to change working conditions following the rejected deal.

“WCB’s CEO is happy to take credit for record performance and national recognition, but behind closed doors, they are attacking the very employees who made those successes possible,” said Mullen. “You cannot celebrate hybrid work, work-life balance, and a supportive workplace in your award submissions, and then turn around and actively try to claw those same things back at the table.”

She says the employer sent a message to staff stating that they’re ending modified work days and changing hours as of June 15. In addition to filing a complaint with the Labour Board, the NSGEU has also filed two grievances.

“These are benefits and protections that have been built over years of bargaining,” said Mullen. “Members are not looking to go backwards.”

Both sides are expected to return to negotiations with a conciliation officer on June 15, as workers push for a deal that reflects their role in the organization’s success.

nsgeu

Union files grievance over back-to-work mandate for gov’t employees

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The union that represents about 3,000 government employees has filed a policy grievance over a back-to-work mandate implemented by the province.

It was in February when the decision was announced to end flexible work arrangements after five years and as of Monday, it went into effect.

In an interview with Acadia News, President of the NSGEU Sandra Mullens says, they heard from more than 1,000 members who had some sort of work from home accommodation.

“[We] are working with some of those members on a one-on-one basis, because they’re particular,” says Mullen. “They have perhaps a medical accommodation or a contract arrangement signed with the employer at the time.”

She says the government claims the mandate is about efficiency, collaboration and teamwork but she argues many have a modified schedule and are in meetings not in office.

“If they meet in office, it’s often a Team’s meeting or a Zoom meeting because their co-workers are not in the same room. So, nothing is going to change,” says Mullen. “In the concept of the old days where folks were all managed by one manager… we know in a lot of departments that management is regional as well.”

Mullens says they’ve also heard that bringing people back into the office stimulates the economy, but she points to the last two months.

“The price of gas has gone incredibly high. So, what money you may have had to spend on your lunch downtown, now you’re going to be putting in your gas tank,” adds Mullen.

The grievance was submitted a few weeks ago and it could take time before anything comes of it. For now, Mullen says, they are waiting to hear back on an arbitrator.

“We are expecting that they want to work through this quickly as they can,” says Mullen.