Premier Blaine Higgs (right) and Attorney General Hugh J. Flemming participate in a news conference. (Image via GNB)
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has ordered striking CUPE healthcare workers back to the job through the mandatory emergency order.
Only hours after speaking to CUPE members from the steps of the legislature, the premier, accompanied by two of his cabinet ministers, announced the order during a news conference.
“We’re not questioning the validity of the legal strike. We are indeed acting in a pandemic under an emergency order to deal directly with the health and safety of all New Brunswickers, and we need to recognize the system urgently needs to be addressed,” Higgs said.
All workers in CUPE 1252, who provide services required for the health and safety of patients, and workers in CUPE 1190 and CUPE 1251, who work in the health services supply chain and laundry and linen services, must report for their next shift.
The measures take effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday and affected employees who do not show up for work risk being fined.
“This action we’re taking is serious. We’re doing what is necessary to ensure that our hospitals continue and are able to do the important work necessary to keep New Brunswickers not just healthy and safe but alive,” said Attorney General Hugh J. Flemming.
According to a provincial news release, effects of the strike, which kicked off one week ago, are weighing on the healthcare system.
Over 11,800 health appointments, procedures and surgeries have been cancelled this week. Effects are also felt at COVID-19 assessment centres, laundry services and cleaning services in hospitals.
The province presented CUPE New Brunswick with a new offer on Thursday night.
CUPE responds
Shortly after the province ordered specific workers back to their jobs, CUPE New Brunswick issued a statement on the announcement.
“Premier Higgs should listen to the health experts AND the front-line workers who are calling on him to settle the labour crisis in a quick, fair, legal and respectful manner. After years of leaving front-line workers without a fair deal, after years of ignoring the voices of thousands of front-line workers calling out for help, why does the Premier act surprised when his own inaction is worsening the crisis of his own making?”
The statement continues, saying the province did indeed have other options, including “the choice to bargain fairly at the table,” adding that the premier is using the pandemic to send workers back to work rather than continuing with negotiations.
CUPE claims workers are ready to end the strike if the Higgs government considers their counterproposal.
