UPDATE: Nurses Reject Tentative Contract Agreements

Thousands of New Brunswick nurses have pushed back against tentative contract agreements reached with the province.

Two bargaining units with the New Brunswick Nurses Union (NBNU) “overwhelmingly” rejected the agreements, the union said on Thursday.

“I was a bit surprised, however not overly,” NBNU president Paula Doucet said in a phone interview on Friday.

The two units include more than 6,000 registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse managers, and nurse supervisors working in hospitals, public and community health programs, Ambulance NB, and extra-mural programs.

Doucet said about 78 per cent of membership came out to vote, with between 72 and 87 per cent rejecting the agreements.

She said while negotiating teams recommended that the deals be ratified, the members made their voices heard by rejecting them.

“Their working conditions have increasingly gotten worse over time. The conditions and expectations that are placed on the shoulders of registered nurses and nurse practitioners are over and above,” said Doucet.

“I think they’re tired, they’re exhausted, they’re frustrated, they’re feeling disrespected, and this was their way of sending a message to employers and government that this just wasn’t enough.”

Doucet said negotiating teams and local presidents will now meet to discuss the next steps. Conciliation dates have also been set for September in case they are needed, she said.

If the conciliation process is not successful, Doucet said they would move toward taking a strike vote.

“We are trying to exhaust every avenue before actually taking a strike vote because that is one of the final steps in the process,” she said. “We’re always prepared for that but it’s not something that you plan to do.”

“The best strike is one that you’re prepared for but don’t have to take, that you can actually hammer out a deal that’s equitable and fair at the table.”

Details of the tentative deals, which were reached in July, have not been made public.

Premier, opposition respond to the rejection of agreements

The Opposition Liberals are demanding that Premier Blaine Higgs and Finance Minister Ernie Steeves put a meaningful and respectful offer on the table for nurses immediately.

In a statement Thursday, the Liberals said the health-care system is in crisis and those who have been working to keep it functioning have been disregarded and disrespected for far too long.

“It is painfully obvious to all New Brunswickers that the Higgs government does not value the significant contribution New Brunswick nurses have made and continue to make each and every day to ensure our health and safety. Enough is enough!” said the statement.

Meanwhile, Premier Blaine Higgs said he is disappointed the tentative agreement was not accepted by the members.

In a statement on Friday, he blamed previous governments for not dealing with a broken health-care system.

“That changes now,” Higgs said.

The premier went on to say that there are many safety concerns in the workplace that must be addressed.

Higgs also acknowledged the province’s nursing shortage and committed that every graduating nurse who wants to stay in New Brunswick will have a job here.

“I understand there is frustration and burnout. The status quo is not acceptable and our government is going to address it directly with the Regional Health Authorities,” he said.

With files from Tara Clow.