Collective agreement awarded for Health Support Bargaining Unit

HALIFAX, Dec. 4, 2018 /CNW/ - On November 30, 2018, mediator/arbitrator William Kaplan issued an award that establishes a collective agreement for more than 4,200 employees within the Health Support Bargaining Unit at the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the IWK Children's Hospital.

Members in this bargaining unit deliver services within the acute care setting such as housekeeping, dietary, engineering services, maintenance, laundry and a wide variety of other services.

The process to achieve this award and collective agreement has been unique. Members in all four bargaining units voted with an overwhelming majority to proceed with mediation/arbitration to reach their first collective agreement under the new bargaining Council of Unions. Health Care, Administrative Professional and Nursing bargaining units were previously awarded their collective agreements by Kaplan. The award was issued for Health Support after negotiations with the Employer which began in late August of 2018. 

This award finalizes collective bargaining within this unit and a collective agreement is now in place.

All monetary provisions will take effect on the day of this award while all language changes will take effect 60 days after the award.

The Council of Unions is comprised of membership from four unions: Unifor, CUPE, NSGEU and NSNU. The Health Support Bargaining Committee was led by members from Unifor, with representation from members of CUPE and NSGEU from all areas of the province and former District Health Authorities. The NSNU is also part of the Health Care Council of Unions.

Link to the award for the Health Support Unit https://www.unifor.org/sites/default/files/documents/document/award_-_health_support.pdf

SOURCE Unifor