HALIFAX – The provincial government appears to be backing down after issuing a deadline to the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union for a contract vote.
The union called the government’s bluff by rejecting a demand that union members vote on their tentative agreement by Monday. If the vote didn’t go ahead, the government said it would consider rescinding the deal.
The government doesn’t have the power to tell unions when to vote, just like unions can’t tell the government when to table legislation, NSGEU president Joan Jessome said. The threat “scared a few (members) but it angered many more,” she added.
On Thursday, the government wouldn’t say whether the Monday vote deadline still stands.
“Today what we’re doing is examining our options and today we’re looking at this agreement and encouraging our partners to take it to their membership,” Deputy Premier Diana Whalen said.
“There is no urgency right now.”
However, on Wednesday the government said the opposite. “If the ratification is delayed, suspended or deferred in any manner we will consider our options including withdrawal of the offer of November 13, 2015,” Roland King, an executive director with the Public Service Commission, said in an email to the NSGEU.
READ MORE: NSGEU lets vote deadline slide, calls government’s bluff
The warning was sent to the NSGEU after it put the breaks on a ratification vote that was expected to happen this week. Jessome said the bargaining committee made the move because it needed to rethink its position after the teachers’ union voted against its tentative agreement Tuesday night.
The government might be softening its stance because if it made good on its threat, the union could take it to the Labour Board.
“In essence it’s bad faith bargaining, I think, to give that offer and then withdraw it under threat,” labour lawyer Ron Stockton said.
To avoid a potential Labour Board hearing, the government could sidestep the threat by legislating an agreement instead, he said.
READ MORE: Rejection of wage offers to Nova Scotia unions could lead to legislation: Premier
The opposition parties said the government is sending out mixed messages.
“If there’s no urgency, why are they laying down deadlines?” interim NDP leader Maureen MacDonald asked.
The union said it will decide on Thursday night when a vote will be held and whether it will reverse its recommendation to members to accept the tentative deal.
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