Advertisement

Mediated contract talks resume in labour dispute with Halifax nurses

HALIFAX – Mediated talks resumed Monday aimed at averting a strike by 2,400 nurses in the Halifax area.

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) and the Capital District Health Authority agreed Friday to resume their contact talks with a mediator.

The nurses will be in a legal strike position Thursday.

NSGEU president Joan Jessome revealed on Global’s The Morning News that the union would present a new position in the negotiations.

WATCH: NSGEU President Joan Jessome tells The Morning News the union will change its position during contract talks with Capital Health

The key sticking point in the dispute is a demand from the union to increase nurse-to-patient ratios, something it says would improve patient safety.

Story continues below advertisement

The health authority has said there is no evidence that mandated ratios guarantee better safety.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

On Saturday, hundreds of home support workers and nurses from across Nova Scotia gathered outside the provincial Liberal Party’s annual general meeting to call for a resolution.

Premier Stephen McNeil has not yet said whether or not his government will pass legislation to force the nurses back to work.

Sponsored content

AdChoices