Nursing home workers in Saint John in March 2019. (Photo credit: Tamara Steele)
Talks have stalled again between the province and the union representing workers at 46 nursing homes.
Representatives from the province and the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions returned to the bargaining table last Thursday.
But social development minister Dorothy Shephard said after several days of discussions, the two sides reached an impasse on Tuesday afternoon.
“We do continue to remain optimistic that a negotiated agreement will eventually be reached that is fair to nursing home employees and to residents,” said Shephard in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Shephard said no further negotiations are scheduled at this time, but the province is open to returning to the table.
“We look forward to resuming discussions with the union not only on wage increases and benefits, but also addressing areas that will improve working conditions for workers and care to nursing home residents,” she said.
Status update on CUPE nursing homeshttps://t.co/4qBLczskd0
— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) May 14, 2019
Workers have been without a contract for more than two-and-a-half years and a court order prevents them from striking.
Earlier this month, union members held a three-day sit-in at Shephard’s Fredericton office and demonstrated outside the constituency offices of several cabinet members.
The union has called for binding arbitration to end the dispute, but the province says it will only consider it under certain conditions.
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