Talks to resume Monday in nursing home workers dispute

Nursing home workers are heading back to the bargaining table Monday morning.

In a press release, the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes announced the return to negotiations after the government asked and received a 10 day-delay in strike action.

"We have invited CUPE back to the bargaining table in the hopes of reaching a final agreement, and are pleased to report that we will be returning to the bargaining table tomorrow morning," said the association.

Simon Ouellette, a spokesperson for CUPE, confirmed the union is heading back to the table, but said he isn't confident the association has a real offer and hopes the exercise isn't a "P.R. stunt."

"We're a bit cynical because [Social Development Minister] Dorothy Shephard has not reached out to us still," said Ouellette.

"She has to allocate resources so there can be meaningful bargaining happening between the association and the union."

In a statement from Shephard, she said the only way an agreement can be reached is if the union and the association get back to the table and that the strike vote forced the government's hand.

"When the union served the employer with 24-hour notice of strike action, we had to react," said Shephard.

"The stay gives residents and their families peace of mind that no strike activity can take place for the next 10 days."

'Heavy-handed approach'

Earlier in the day the union held a press conference, condemning the tactics of the government.

Sharon Teare, the president of the New Brunswick council of nursing home unions, said the assertion made by Shephard that the court order was meant to bring the unions back to the bargaining table "couldn't be further from the truth."

She said they've been working with a system that's stacked against them, but that they've always been available to negotiate and said it's the government that's been avoiding them.

"We've been here, we've been waiting for them to come here," said Teare.

"Instead they take a heavy-handed approach … to take away our right to do what it is we have a right to do."

Sandy Harding, a regional director for the union, called the move heavy-handed and underhanded.

"This is a David and Goliath situation and we are the David in this," said Harding.

"This Higgs/Austin government has to wear this."

This is a David and Goliath situation.- Sandy Harding

Patrick Roy, co-ordinator with the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Locals, said there was never any intention for workers to go on strike Sunday and the 24-hour notice was just meant to get the government back to the table.

"We were trying to get them back to the table and they're still not," said Roy

"There was no actual mass walkout that was going to be happening on Sunday."

This order covered 45 of the 46 nursing homes represented by the union. York Care Centre in Fredericton is exempt.

According to Shephard, that home is a test case which already has an "essential services" designation. That means a certain number of workers must stay on the job to maintain services even if the union takes strike action.

The province is hoping to gain that designation for all nursing homes in the province. 

Tony Weeks, the president and CEO of York Care Centre, said contingency plans are in place in case some workers do end up walking off the job.

"We've engaged families to talk to them about what role they could play in helping us run the operations and care for their loved ones," said Weeks.

"They've been very supportive of that."

He said it's important for this to get settled so residents don't "get caught in the crossfire."