Government Disappointed in Medical Residents' Request for Arbitration

Premier Stephen McNeil said he is disappointed that the association representing the province's medical residents has requested arbitration.

An impasse was declared by the association two weeks before the wage proposal was discussed at the bargaining table.

"It is disappointing that the residents' association decided to rush to arbitration, rather than giving the collective bargaining process an opportunity to work," said Premier McNeil.

As a result of a previous arbitrator's decision, Nova Scotia's medical residents are the highest paid in the country.

Premier McNeil said government wants to provide wage increases to workers, but wants unions and associations to collaborate with their employers to help find savings to fund wage increases and improve public services.

Government wanted the association to work with its members to find ways to deliver the same service for less cost. That portion of savings could be applied to wage increases.

The premier said this is an example of how the collective bargaining approach is broken.

"I do not believe the association engaged in meaningful collective bargaining."

Premier McNeil said he was concerned by the rush to arbitration because, historically, arbitrators have not considered the taxpayer's ability to pay when making decisions.