Canadian Labour Reporter

MARCH 31, 2014 2 Canadian HR Reporter, a Thomson Reuters business 2014 Back-to-work legislation will only make matters worse in Vancouver Port Dispute: Union VANCOUVER — British Columbia trans- portation minister Todd Stone's latest effort to end the Metro Vancouver port dispute will only make matters worse, Unifor said in a statement. The union said Stone's refusal to negotiate with container truck drivers — and the introduction of forced-work legislation — will never lead to a long- term solution. "The minister can't expect to stick his head in the sand and make this go away," said Paul Johal, president of Unifor-Vancouver Container Truck- ers' Association (VCTA). "A negotiated settlement is the only sustainable solu- tion. " Unifor-VCTA members recently vot- ed unanimously in favour of a strike after more than 18 months of failed ne- gotiations. Non-union truckers walked off the job late in February, and several hun- dred Unifor members joined them on March 10. The union said its members are con- cerned about the Port of Vancouver's long line-ups and wait times. The long lines and wasted time cost truck drivers money, the union said. Members have reportedly also voiced concerns that rates agreed to in previous contract negotiations were not being honoured "due to under- cutting." "Stripping workers of their right to negotiate fair working conditions is not leadership," said Unifor's national president Jerry Dias. "We're actively seeking a resolution that works for everyone, but that can't be done if the minister doesn't take workers' rights seriously." Conciliation talks break down over nurse-to-patient ratio in Nova Scotia HALIFAX — Talks have broken down be- tween Capital Health and the Nova Sco- tia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) Local 97 after just one day of conciliation. The union reports the employer re- fuses to bargain on an article-by-article basis while the issue of nurse-to-patient ratio remains on the table. "Capital Health and the provincial government are ignoring the nurses' main bargaining issue," said union president Joan Jessome in a statement. "Nurses are adamant about achieving nurse-to-patient ratios to improve pa- tient safety. Nurses know ratios mean better patient care, faster recoveries and safer hospitals. The McNeil government should be listening to nurses on safety, not ignoring them." Jessome went on to say the govern- ment's interference in recent bargaining for home support workers in the prov- ince had a significant impact on the col- lapse of the nurses' talks. "Capital Health bargained like it ex- pected the McNeil government to bring in essential services legislation in the event it couldn't reach a deal," she said. "That interference meant Capital Health felt no pressure." The employer reportedly refused to negotiate reasonable emergency service coverage in the event of a strike. Jessome said nurses would provide full coverage in emergency rooms, ICUs, veterans' care, hemodialysis and cancer care as well as basic coverage in other areas. A strike vote held in February saw nurses vote overwhelmingly in favour of job action. Ninety per cent of work- ers voted to walk off the job to back contract demands. "The McNeil government has decid- ed to participate in blackmail bargain- ing rather than listen to nurses' real concerns about patient safety," Jessome said. "That is a mistake." See www.labour-reporter.com for more news briefs. FORMERLY CLV REPORTS Serving labour relations professionals since 1956 www.labour-reporter.com Published weekly by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd. 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If legal or other expert assistanceis required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The analysis contained herein represents the opinion of the authors and should in no way be construed as being either official or unofficial policy of any governmental body. ISSN 0045-5113 Publications Registration 2089 Canadian Labour Reporter is part of the Canadian HR Reporter group of publications. Visit www.hrreporter.com for more information. canadian labour reporter Labour Briefs A look at labour news from across Canada. For regular news updates, visit Canadian Labour Reporter at www.labour-reporter.com

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