Nova Scotia's health-care union arbitration deadline extended
New deadline is Jan. 19
Nova Scotia's Liberal government has extended the deadline for restructuring union representation for 24,000 of the province's health-care workers.
It has been moved from Jan. 1 to Jan. 19.
In a statement Monday, Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine said the province granted the extension at the request of arbitrator James Dorsey.
Last week, Dorsey held five days of hearings to divide 24,000 hospital workers — including nurses, licensed practical nurses, lab techs, paramedics, clerks and cooks — into four bargaining groups represented by four separate unions.
Dorsey has to decide who goes where and who represents them.
The restructuring is being imposed by Premier Stephen McNeil's government, which says it needs to overhaul the labour regime as it merges nine health authorities into one on April 1.
The Liberals say the current system with 53 bargaining units creates chaos, with an endless cycle of bargaining.