News Release Archive
HUMAN RESOURCES--QE II LEGISLATION-MINISTER CLARIFIES ISSUES ------------------------------------------------------------ Human Resources Minister Jay Abbass held a brief news conference today to address labour relations issues regarding the QEII Health Sciences Centre legislation currently before the House. The bill allows for the merger of the Victoria General Hospital, the Camp Hill Medical Centre, the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre Corporation and the Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation of Nova Scotia. "The bill respects and preserves collective agreements. Indeed government did not modify exiting agreements. All employees come to the new employer with the contracts they have now," the minister said. In addition, the minister pointed out, the legislation recognizes the sanctity of the Trade Union Act and the provisions of the act to govern a merger or amalgamation. "I wouldn't want people to make decisions based on a misreading of the bill," he said. He noted that the act specifically states that VG employees will continue to receive the same or equal coverage; that workers in the civil service pension plan remain in the plan, or can join a new plan created by the new employer if they so choose; that worker's pay equity gains are protected because they are recognized in their collective agreements; the legislation does recognize the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union, and all other bargaining agents, which have negotiated collective agreements on behalf of their membership through the Trade Union Act provisions; that employee's seniority is recognized. The minister said that it is still early in the legislative process for the bill, and that legitimate concerns regarding the bill can be addressed at the law amendments committee stage. "The law and our legislative structures provide all with this opportunity. The law does not permit the NSGEU to take strike action -- such action is uncalled for, unwarranted and illegal." The minister noted as well that the government cannot give one union a privileged position over another and that the bill treats all employees and unions fairly. -30- Contact: Norma MacIsaac 902-424-5427 trp Nov. 29, 1995