Canadian Blood Services talks fail again, says union
'Christmas is coming and we all have families and it's been very difficult'
Negotiating teams for Canadian Blood Services and its striking workers in Charlottetown met Tuesday and Wednesday, but talks have again broken off.
The Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees said the sticking point continues to be a guaranteed minimum number of hours for the 10 part-time workers who've been on strike for 13 weeks.
"We are all very disappointed. We were hoping for a resolution to this," said union local president Tanya Herrell.
Herrell said Canadian Blood Services was willing to provide some guaranteed hours temporarily, but that fell short of what the workers feel they need.
"You know it's winter here and Christmas is coming and we all have families and it's been very difficult. It has been a long 13 weeks," said Herrell.
No new talks planned
Both parties have agreed to keep the lines of communication open.
"We made significant revisions to our proposals on the several remaining issues in an effort to bring the strike to an end," Canadian Blood Services spokesperson Peter MacDonald said in a written release Wednesday.
The striking workers plan to hold a rally on Saturday afternoon at Victoria Park in Charlottetown.
They say supporters from other union locals have hired a bus and will travel from Nova Scotia to join them.
"We still feel very, very strongly in what we are asking for and that it's not too much to be asking for and it's very fair," said Herrell.