HALIFAX –
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs says he is exploring his choices to finish a strike by 22,000 CUPE members within the province after the job motion impacted health-care companies Saturday.
Higgs informed reporters throughout a day information convention he might use the province’s Emergency Measures Act to power the workers again to work, however will take the following 24 hours to weigh his choices.
Medical companies in New Brunswick are being affected on account of a public sector strike.
Higgs mentioned medical companies affected embody vaccination clinics for each COVID-19 and flu photographs.
No less than one COVID-19 vaccination clinic has been closed in Fredericton. Higgs mentioned these affected are being directed to a pharmacy.
Higgs mentioned the strike additionally meant that COVID-19 screeners weren’t obtainable in some hospitals and different services.
Availability of third doses may even be impacted as a result of strike.
This comes after the union representing 22,000 public-sector staff went on strike Friday morning.
These on strike embody faculty bus drivers, custodians, mechanics, some health-care staff in rehabilitation and remedy, training assist workers, staff in transportation and infrastructure and neighborhood faculty staff.
Members say they’re recieving quite a lot of assist from the general public.
“We have had a number of unfavourable reactions however I would say 99 per cent of individuals seem like supporting us and letting us know that they assist why we’re right here,” mentioned Tom Langille, an academic assistant on strike.
“We have now difficulties recuriting and retaining social staff, our workloads are excessively excessive with excessive charges of burn out,” mentioned Jeannine Bourque, a social employee.
On Friday, Training Minister Dominic Cardy introduced all faculties in New Brunswick will transfer to on-line studying starting Monday.
Steve Drost, president of the New Brunswick department of CUPE mentioned the union’s 22,000 members have not had a correct elevate in 15 years and stay among the many lowest paid within the nation.
Neither aspect is budging, which suggests staff are taking shifts from 6 a.m. till 10 p.m.
Earlier than talks broke off, the union was looking for a 12 per cent elevate over 4 years, with no situations hooked up. The federal government confirmed Thursday it was providing an 8.5 per cent wage enhance over a five-year interval.
Higgs has mentioned the federal government’s provide corresponds with agreements reached this fall with three different bargaining items. As nicely, his authorities has pledged to extend the pay of informal staff by 20 per cent, enhance pension protection and supply a median of $3,200 in retroactive pay.
The union has identified that the federal government introduced its fourth consecutive finances surplus earlier this month.
CUPE representatives say they are going to be at completely different areas over the weekend and so they anticipate the strike will proceed into subsequent week.
-With information from The Canadian Press
