News Release Archive
HUMAN RESOURCES--QE II LEGISLATION-MINISTER CLARIFIES ISSUES
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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.
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Contact: Norma MacIsaac 902-424-5427
trp Nov. 29, 1995