A tentative deal has been reached between the provincial government and 47,000 health care workers.
The multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) announced the framework of a five-year deal, two weeks after they voted 96% in favour of a strike.
The union represents members who work in hospitals, care facilities and emergency health services; with jobs including ambulance paramedics, booking clerks and maintenance workers. 85 per cent of their members are part of the Hospital Employee Union.
The deal gives them a 5.5 per cent pay increases over the five-year deal, while expanding employment options and protecting benefits.
“Health care workers signaled clearly that they were determined to protect jobs and improve working and caring conditions,” said Bonnie Pearson, chief spokesperson for the FBA, in a statement.
“This agreement meets those conditions and provides a measure of stability and certainty in a health care system that is under considerable stress.”