Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Nursing home workers' union, province reach 'impasse' in contract dispute talks

https://twitter.com/DavidRayAmos/with_replies





Replying to and 47 others
Methinks folks should relax and enjoy the circus The fat lady ain't sung yet Fat Fred City's favourite blogger could appear and settle the matter N'esy Pas?



https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/05/nursing-home-workers-union-province.html



 



 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nursing-home-workers-cupe-negotiations-impasse-1.5136880




Higgs confronted as nursing home workers deny 'impasse' in contract talks




174 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.



I posted this comment just as the Comment section closed

Methinks Sharon Teare and all of CUPE know that I run in the Southern part of the province just like Dorothy Shephard and  Blaine Higgs do. If anyone had bothered to listen to what I said during the last election they would understand what I have been arguing Higgs about for years and nobody dares to argue me about it. I made it a point to explain again briefly on TV during the election. Anyone can Google the following and do not have to look hard to find me  I am the first speaker N'esy Pas?

Rogers TV  2018 New Brunswick Provincial Election Saint John Region

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZqArRNshSM


2018 New Brunswick Provincial Election Saint John Region Candidate Messages

280 views
1 0 Share

Published on Sep 20, 2018










David Amos
Methinks Higgs and CUPE deserve each other N'esy Pas? 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nursing-home-workers-mla-offices-1.5124559


Nursing home workers occupy riding offices of 8 cabinet ministers

Union, employer are scheduled to return to the bargaining table Thursday

CBC News ·

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy's Fredericton West-Hanwell riding office was among those targeted by nursing home workers during Monday's demonstrations. (Michel Corriveau/Radio-Canada)





 http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2018/01/yo-dominic-cardy-how-can-you.html


Friday, 12 January 2018


YO Dominic Cardy how can you Conservatives brag of buying Butter Tarts when CBC tells me you dudes have to sell your HQ? Yet you wackos want control of our provincial economy?

http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/10/methinks-if-blaine-higgs-had-two-clues.html

Tuesday, 10 October 2017


Methinks if Blaine Higgs had two clues between his ears he would not have hired the Arsehole Dominic Cardy in the first place



---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 14:00:20 -0400
Subject  YO Dominic Cardy how can you Conservatives brag of buying Butter Tarts when CBC tells me you dudes have to sell your HQ? Yet you wackos want control of our provincial economy"
To: "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, "ht.lacroix" <ht.lacroix@cbc.ca>, 
jesse <jesse@viafoura.com>, "Armitage, Blair" <Blair.Armitage@sen.parl.gc.ca>, 
"dan. bussieres" <dan.bussieres@gnb.ca>, 
 David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>,
ethics-ethique <ethics-ethique@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, mcohen <mcohen@trumporg.com>, 
djtjr <djtjr@trumporg.com>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, 
"Boston.Mail" <Boston.Mail@ic.fbi.gov>, jbosnitch <jbosnitch@gmail.com>, 
andre <andre@jafaust.com>, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, 
"brian.gallant"<brian.gallant@gnb.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, 
"Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, postur <postur@for.is>, 
nmoore <nmoore@bellmedia.ca>, david <david@lutz.nb.ca>
Cc: pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Bill.Morneau" <Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>,
"Gerald.Butts" <Gerald.Butts@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, 
"Norman.Sabourin" <Norman.Sabourin@cjc-ccm.gc.ca>, 
"Giroux, Marc A :FJA" <marc.giroux@fja-cmf.gc.ca>, 
"Joly, Philippe :HoC" <philippe.joly@cie.parl.gc.ca>, "Dawson, Mary :HoC"
<mary.dawson@cie.parl.gc.ca>, "Regan, Geoff - M.P. :HoC"
<geoff.regan@parl.gc.ca>, "ETHI@parl.gc.ca" <ETHI@parl.gc.ca>,
"cullen1@parl.gc.ca" <cullen1@parl.gc.ca>, "Zimmer, Bob - M.P. :HoC"
<bob.zimmer@parl.gc.ca>, "Erskine-Smith, Nathaniel - M.P. :HoC"
<nathaniel.erskine-smith@parl.gc.ca>, "Baylis, Frank - M.P. :HoC"<frank.baylis@parl.gc.ca>, "Dubourg, Emmanuel - Député :HoC"
<emmanuel.dubourg@parl.gc.ca>, "Fortier, Mona - Députée :HoC"
<Mona.Fortier@parl.gc.ca>, "Gourde, Jacques - Député :HoC"
<jacques.gourde@parl.gc.ca>, "Kent, Peter - M.P. :HoC"
<peter.kent@parl.gc.ca>, "Murray, Joyce - M.P. :HoC"<joyce.murray@parl.gc.ca>, "Picard, Michel - Député :HoC" <michel.picard@parl.gc.ca>, 
"Saini, Raj - M.P. :HoC" <raj.saini@parl.gc.ca>, 
"Chagger, Bardish - M.P. :HoC"<bardish.chagger@parl.gc.ca>,
mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "Joly, Mélanie - M.P. :HoC" <melanie.joly@parl.gc.ca>, 
"Bradley, Heather :HoC" <heather.bradley@parl.gc.ca>,
Newsroom@globeandmail.com, christine.elliottco@pc.ola.org,
"derek.burney@nortonrosefulbright.com" <derek.burney@nortonrosefulbright.com>,
"Lampron.Raynald@psic-ispc.gc.ca" <Lampron.Raynald@psic-ispc.gc.ca>,
"Friday, Joe :PSIC" <friday.joe@psic-ispc.gc.ca>, 
"Lachapelle, Edith :PSIC" <Lachapelle.edith@psic-ispc.gc.ca>, brad.butt@parl.gc.ca,
pat.martin@parl.gc.ca, "OGGO@parl.gc.ca" <OGGO@parl.gc.ca>,
"manon.hardy@chrc-ccdp.ca" <manon.hardy@chrc-ccdp.ca>,
"Clemet1@parl.gc.ca" <Clemet1@parl.gc.ca>,
"Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca" <Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>,
"Gilles.Moreau@forces.gc.ca" <Gilles.Moreau@forces.gc.ca>, 
"Ferguson, Michael :OAG" <Michael.Ferguson@oag-bvg.gc.ca>, 
"janice.leahy" <janice.leahy@gnb.ca>, "Furey, John" <jfurey@nbpower.com>, 
wharrison <wharrison@nbpower.com>, ecdesmond <ecdesmond@nbeub.ca>,
"Kim.MacPherson" <Kim.MacPherson@gnb.ca>, 
"Easter, Wayne - M.P. :HoC" <wayne.easter@parl.gc.ca>, 
"hon.ralph.goodale" <hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>, 
"Scheer, Andrew - M.P. :HoC" <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>, 
"Bernier, Maxime - Député :HoC" <maxime.bernier@parl.gc.ca>, 
"Harder, Peter" <Peter.Harder@sen.parl.gc.ca>, 
 "Brisebois, Jocelyne :HoC" <jocelyne.brisebois@cie.parl.gc.ca>, 
"natalia.johnston@cbc.ca" <natalia.johnston@cbc.ca>, 
"steve.murphy@ctv.ca" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca> 


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Cardy, Dominic (LEG)" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 17:22:47 +0000
Subject: Hamish's birthday
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Cc: "Wright, Hamish (LEG)" <Hamish.Wright@gnb.ca>

Dear Mr. Amos,

As a regular correspondent I thought you would like to know that it's
Hamish's 20th birthday! We even gave him some butter tarts in your
honour! I'm sure he'd appreciate a note.

Have a good weekend, best wishes,

Dominic

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/progressive-conversative-headquarters-sale-fundraising-1.4484153

David Amos
Strange just today Dominic Cardy was bragging to me they have lots of
money to spend on Butter Tarts

Methinks the PCs are gonna lose the electin bitime with him as Mr
Higgs' Chief of Staff N'esy Pas?

(Piss Poor spelling a grammer I know but the real question is will CBC
even allow the comment o stand the test of time EH Jacques Poitras and
Hubby Lacroix?)



---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2017 14:57:57 -0400
Subject: Yo Brucey Baby is that your signature I see on the note with the treats from Mr Higgs that your buddy Dominic Cardy sent?
To: kelly@lamrockslaw.com, david@lutz.nb.ca, David.Coon@gnb.ca, blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, brian.gallant@gnb.ca, briangallant10@gmail.com, bruce.fitch@gnb.ca, Brian.kenny@gnb.ca,  Dale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, kirk.macdonald@gnb.ca, postur@for.is, newsroom@globeandmail.ca, Bill.Morneau@canada.ca, bill.pentney@justice.gc.ca, jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca
Cc: david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, bruce.northrup@gnb.ca, Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca

http://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.ca/2017/11/yo-blaine-higgs-i-just-called-and-tried.html

Thursday, 2 November 2017

Yo Blaine Higgs I just called and tried to talk to your buddy Hamish
Wright Trust that I don't care that Dominic Cardy is concerned about
his fondness for butter tarts

 Yo Mr Cardy Do Ya Think This Dude Cares About Your Dumb Puffin?


---------- Original message ----------
From: Póstur FOR postur@for.is
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2017 16:16:32 +0000
Subject: Re: Yo Mr Higgs I updated the blog for the benefit of your mindless assistant, your pal Chucky "The Welfare Bum" Leblanc and his many LIEbrano buddies for obvious reasons N'esy Pas David Coon?
To: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com


Erindi þitt hefur verið móttekið  / Your request has been received

Kveðja / Best regards
Forsætisráðuneytið  / Prime Minister's Office




---------- Original message ----------
From: "Gallant, Premier Brian (PO/CPM)" <Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 18:00:25 +0000
Subject: RE: YO Dominic Cardy how can you Conservatives brag of buying Butter Tarts 
when CBC tells me you dudes have to sell your HQ? Yet you wackos want control of 
our provincial economy"
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>

Thank you for writing to the Premier of New Brunswick.  Please be
assured  that your email will be reviewed.

If this is a media request, please forward your email to
media-medias@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca>.  Thank you!

******************************
*******

Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le premier ministre du
Nouveau-Brunswick.  Soyez assuré(e) que votre  courriel sera examiné.

Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à
media-medias@gnb.camedia-medias@gnb.ca>.  Merci!



David Amos
Methinks Mr Higgs and all the other political animals should watch his blogging buddy Chucky's videos about the ex union dude and current PANB MLA Rick DeSaulniers making his play to save the day last week then his boss Austin joining in later and not meeting with much success either. Too Too Funny Indeed N'esy Pas?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj3zQmoxAoc&t=40s


PANB MLA Rick DeSaulniers is denied the right to bring food to the C.U.P.E Protesters!!!

58 views


Published on May 15, 2019



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL94D72jpMk&t=32s



People's Alliance of New Brunswick Party Leader Kris Austin visits the C.U.P.E. Protesters!!!

199 views

Published on May 3, 2019



David Amos
Methinks in the spirit of full disclosure i should reveal that I have spoken with Dorothy Shephard and Sharon Teare over the phone and Blaine Higgs not only on the phone but in person in front his lawyer pal Rob Moore and of a crowd of their supporters after a debate in Hampton for a seat in the 42nd Parliament.To her credit Shepard was open and honest with me as she sat in opposition and defended quetionable taxation. However NONE of them have ever answered an email or returned a call. Hence I have every right not believe one word any of them ever say N'esy Pas?














Claude DeRoche
Hey Blaine; Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario said you would join them in court
to fight the carbon tax.
Put your money where your mouth is! Ford budgeted $20 million to fight the tax.
Hurry up we have more million to waste!


David Amos 
Reply to @Claude DeRoche: So you say. Methinks Higgs figures that all he has to do is wait until October and carbon tax will go away N'esy Pas? 
 

Al Clark
Reply to @David Amos: Unless stars and stripes steve dusts his old one off? Uh oh!










Marguerite Deschamps
Higgs is as hard as a brick.


Marguerite Deschamps
Ah, that self-correct!


David Amos   
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks that must be why he needs your lady friend Nicole Carlin to protect him N'esy Pas?


John Haigh 
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: I'm not sure that Blaine reads these comment sections. You may just want to call his office if you're looking for a date.


Al Clark
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Thick as a brick


David Amos  
Reply to @Al Clark: YUP

Methinks everybody knows what I think of Higgs since 2010 but I never considered him dumb until he and Dominic Cardy's pals sent me strange things in the mail before the election. That removed all doubt about their stupidity N'ey Pas? 

 
Joe Campbell
Reply to @David Amos: He was the axe man! No need for brains to fire people.


David Amos  
Reply to @Joe Campbell: Google the following and laugh at the Circus

David Amos Dominic Cardy butter tarts 
 

Joe Campbell
Reply to @David Amos: LOL you are in tight with them!


Joe Campbell 
Reply to @David Amos: Ok that was to funny! They appear to have their own breed of crazies.


David Amos   
Reply to @Joe Campbell: Yea right Methinks that why I ran for public office six times thus far and why I have been suing the Queen for years while everybody laughs at me N'esy Pas? 
 

Harold Benson
Reply to @John Haigh: Excellent one!


Harold Benson
Reply to @Al Clark: Even better.


Harold Benson
Reply to @Joe Campbell: Nope , a bit of atifan, or lorazepam and prozac makes that easy.


David Amos   
Content disabled
Reply to @Harold Benson: Methinks I should ask if Sam knows why you are burying my comments N'esy Pas? 
 

David Amos
Reply to @Joe Campbell: "Ok that was to funny! They appear to have their own breed of crazies"

Methinks there are more than enough "Crazies" with questionable names offering their opinions all day long At least Mr Higgs and his foes are real people N'esy Pas?













Claude DeRoche
Kevin Vickers will send the COR party Crown Prince of Bermuda packing.


David Amos 
Reply to @Claude DeRoche: Too Funny Methinks you should say Hey to your hero Mr Vickers for me N'esy Pas?


Rosco Holt
Reply to @David Amos:
It's just has funny has those who think Higgs will save the province. 


Claude DeRoche
Higgs never quit his daytime job with the Irvings,
he went to Washington DC to negotiate on their part,
and yes on our dime. 


David Amos
Reply to @Claude DeRoche: Methinks i should ask you if you know how much of our money did your hero Brian Gallant paid one of my Yankee foes to do nothing with Mr Trump and whether or not Mr Higgs is still paying him N'esy Pas?

Google the following if you think I am joking
David Amos Yankee lawyer David Wilkins softwood tariffs














Johnny Horton
So the nursing home union is helping to contribute to our debt after all. If economic growth was 0.65% but the union got 1%, we paid out more in wage increases than our economy made.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Johnny Horton: You don't know how economics work ? A salary is based on inflation not economic growth.


Johnny Horton 
Reply to @Marc Martin:

Which has gotten us where? Ow yea 14B in debt. But keepmdoingnthingsnthe same way, I’m sure it will eventually change...


David Amos 
Reply to @Johnny Horton: "You don't know how economics work ?"

Do You?

https://www.scribd.com/doc/2718120/integrity-yea-right














Marc Martin
NB got what it voted for, this is what you get when you vote for a party with no vision and no plan but budget cuts 3900 jobs lost last month, how is he doing better then Gallant ?


Johnny Horton 
Reply to @Marc Martin:

Some of us like the concept of not being bankrupt by paying ridiculous civil servwnt wages.


Marc Martin 
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Some of you would rather pay double to keep seniors in hospital beds, that's how logical some of you are. 
 

Joe Campbell
Reply to @Johnny Horton: You would not know that according to CUPE!


David Amos
Reply to @Marc Martin: Cry me another river

Marc Martin 
Reply to @Johnny Horton: *Please. Seniors are in hospitals because the beds are full at nursing homes.* That's what I just said. They cant open new nursing home they wont have any employee to fill them out.


Marc Martin  
Reply to @Johnny Horton: *You mean that awesome 0.65 GDP?* Salaries are not calculated on GDP but on inflation.....


Marc Martin  
Reply to @Nancy Alcox: That's exactly the problem right now, recruitment does not work, 2 years of full college to get a salary that low for a really hard job ?


Marc Martin  
Reply to @Joe Campbell: That is because there is too much residents to spend more time, do you understand now or should I ask my daughter to draw something for you ? 
 

Marc Martin
Reply to @David Amos: Are you sure I am the right Marc Martin ...Davis ?


David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Who is Davis?












Fay Briggs
Why does Higgs walk away? That is a cowards way. Why would he listen and obey Nicolle Carlin? She has nothing to do with the union or anything. That was not the way to deal with this issue. Higgs needed to speak up and talk to Teare.


David Peters
Reply to @Fay Briggs:

...but, that's just how it's done. If we have a question for any MLA, first it goes through the communications person. That's just standard operating procedure.


Johnny Horton 
Reply to @Fay Briggs:

How much are us taxpayers paying Sharon Teare who’ doesn’t work in a nursing home, via union dues?


Marc Martin
Reply to @David Peters: Every MLA are ignoring the union, its waa well stated in other news, what now then champ ?


Marc Martin
Reply to @Johnny Horton: *How much are us taxpayers paying Sharon Teare * I just spoke to her she says ty for you 1 cent contribution a month.... 


Johnny Horton
Reply to @Marc Martin:

So about $60000 a year. WW cents a year times 500000 taxpayers.

Johnny Horton
Reply to @Johnny Horton:

*ww is 12


Heather Michon
Reply to @Fay Briggs: Higgs and Shepard have been lying throughout this whole situation hoping to turn the public against the nursing home workers. Sadly, if the problems aren't fixed, these people will be living with Higgs' folly when they enter a nursing home.


Joe Campbell 
Reply to @Heather Michon: This is not a one sided show!
 

David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: "*How much are us taxpayers paying Sharon Teare * I just spoke to her she says ty for you 1 cent contribution a month.... "

Methinks you should say Hey to your union buddy Sharon Teare for me She can't deny our little talk and my email before things got nasty N'esy Pas? 


Marc Martin
Reply to @Johnny Horton: *So about $60000 a year. * What are you even talking about ??


Marc Martin 
Reply to @David Amos: My union buddy ? Did someone yank your chain again Davis ?


David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Does your lawyer know who Davis is?












Johnny Horton
This really has turned into s publicity nightmare for the union. They certainly didn’t get the public support in the numbers they expected.


Marc Martin
Reply to @Johnny Horton: Actually they have a lot of support.


Joe Campbell
Reply to @Marc Martin: If you were to lay out what the workers get vs what the media tells people they get. I am sure even more people would stop supporting CUPE. For the most part your members do very well considering most of their education level.


Rosco Holt 
Reply to @Joe Campbell:
The whole story is never told and government isn't negotiating in good faith. These people have been without a contract for almost 5 years.


Marc Martin
Reply to @Joe Campbell: Educated people already know the kind of work these people do daily. *your members do very well * My members ? I don't work in a nursing home buddy and I support them.


David Amos 
Reply to @Marc Martin: Methinks thats because you belong to the same union N'esy Pas?
















Val Harris
I find it funny mr Higgs hiding behind mrs Carlin. Only new school being built is mrs Carlin’s riding why she was on the school board. Now after protecting the premier from the union because these are bad people she should be chief of staff. Terrible terrible government


David Amos 
Reply to @val harris: Methinks folks should relax and enjoy the circus The fat lady ain't sung yet Fat Fred City's favourite blogger could appear and settle the matter N'esy Pas? 
 

Joe Campbell
Reply to @David Amos: It is a circus! Very entertaining to watch, better than Days of our lives! 












Mark (Junkman) George
Ok then Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon, what are Dorothy Shephard, and good old Blaine Higgs, offering us, the people of New Brunswick, as a solution to hospitals plugged up with old folks awaiting nursing home spots, short of hiring unqualified temporary foreign workers?
There are 3 sides to this story, and you are only covering about 1 1/2 sides AT BEST.
The union wants fair wages, the government doesn't want to pay any money, and the people of NB want an end to this.


Alex Forbes
Reply to @Mark (Junkman) George: I say privatize and let people sort out their own affairs


David Amos  
Reply to @Alex Forbes: Me Too 
 












Joe Campbell
They both lie to suit their own agenda.


David Amos   
Reply to @Joe Campbell: YUP















Joe Campbell
I don't believe either one!


Heather Michon
Reply to @Joe Campbell: nobody cares


Joe Campbell 
Reply to @Heather Michon: You got that right!


David Amos    
Reply to @Joe Campbell: I don't believe either one!

Nor I


David Amos    
Reply to @Heather Michon: "nobody cares"

Methinks the "Powers That Be" in NB are betting on that awful truth N'esy Pas?








Replying to and 47 others
Methinks the infamous blogging buddy of CBC, CTV, Global, Mr Higgs and CUPE is gonna love the impending Circus N'esy Pas? 


https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/05/nursing-home-workers-union-province.html


 



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nursing-home-workers-union-contract-dispute-impasse-talks-1.5136307




Nursing home workers' union, province reach 'impasse' in contract dispute talks



138 Comments


Commenting is now closed for this story.




David Amos
Methinks the infamous blogging buddy of CBC, CTV, Global, Mr Higgs and CUPE is gonna love the impending Circus N'esy Pas?




Nursing home workers' union, province reach 'impasse' in contract dispute talks

There is no timetable for negotiations to resume

CBC News ·

The provincial government said Tuesday talks with the union representing thousands of nursing home workers have reached an impasse. (CBC)

Talks have broken down again between the union representing New Brunswick nursing home workers and the provincial government, according to the minister of social development.

Dorothy Shephard said in a statement issued Tuesday night the sides reached "an impasse" after several days of negotiations.

"Discussions throughout the talks have been respectful and collegial, but unfortunately this afternoon, we reached an impasse," Shephard said. "Although we are open to returning to the table to talk, no further negotiations are scheduled at this time."




Shephard said they're optimistic that a negotiated agreement "will eventually be reached that is fair to nursing home employees and to residents."

But in a revised statement issued minutes later, the optimism was followed by a note of fiscal restraint.


Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard said Tuesday there is no date for talks to resume. (CBC)

"However, we must also take into account that as a government we are restricted by our province's fiscal reality and must also be fair to New Brunswick taxpayers," read the revised statement.
The minister did not mention binding arbitration.

CUPE officials said prior to the renewed talks that if a contract couldn't be reached, they wanted binding arbitration. However, the parties are at odds on that front as well. The Blaine Higgs government offered binding arbitration with conditions, but the union rejected it, calling for unrestricted proceedings.

Union representatives were not immediately available for comment Tuesday night.
About 4,000 nursing home workers, including licensed practical nurses, resident attendants and support service workers, have been negotiating a contract since 2016, seeking higher wages.

In early March, workers voted 90 per cent in favour of a strike, but on April 26, the Court of Appeal stayed a labour board decision that would have allowed the workers to walk off the job.

The three-justice panel ruled there will be no strike until a judicial review of the labour board decision is completed or until further orders from the Court of Queen's Bench. A judicial review is set to begin on May 24 in Moncton.


CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices




https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nursing-home-workers-cupe-negotiations-impasse-1.5136880


Higgs confronted as nursing home workers deny 'impasse' in contract talks

Union accuses social development minister of making unilateral declaration without mediator or bargaining team 

 

Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon · CBC News ·





Nicole Carlin, Premier Blaine Higgs's communications director, steps into between Higgs and union leader Sharon Teare during a heated moment Wednesday in the New Brunswick legislature. (Radio-Canada)


The union representing nursing home workers in contract talks with the New Brunswick government denies negotiations have reached an impasse, as announced by Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard on Tuesday night.

Shephard declared the impasse without being present at the table, and while the parties were still talking, according to Sharon Teare, president of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Homes Unions.

"The workers' bargaining team and the mediator himself learned about an 'impasse' only through a media statement," Teare said in a news release Wednesday.

Although Shephard also said no further talks were scheduled, the appointed mediator has not declared an impasse or recommended a pause in talks, Teare said, accusing Shephard of ridiculing the workers.
Teare also confronted Premier Blaine Higgs on Wednesday afternoon about that point, calling him a liar during a media scrum at the New Brunswick legislature.

Higgs told reporters the union leaders said during negotiations, "We're done." That's when Teare cut off the premier and repeatedly said, "We did not say we were done."

"That's a lie," she added.

Nicolle Carlin, the premier's director of communications, stepped into between the two while Teare continued to make her point. Higgs stayed silent and, at Carlin's direction, turned around and walked into a nearby room.



Premier Blaine Higgs walks away after being confronted by Sharon Teare, president of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions, on Wednesday afternoon at the New Brunswick legislature. (Radio-Canada)

"Listen to the workers that care for the people," Teare yelled as the premier walked away. "You keep shutting us out."

Teare then turned to reporters and said the miscommunication is a "stall tactic" and the union had to go to great lengths, including a three-day sit-in at Shephard's office building, to book a meeting.

"We left that meeting with the understanding that they were going away to explore some options,"

Teare said. "The other appointed negotiator at the table had said that in order to do that they would need a little bit of time, so we wouldn't be meeting today.

"Is that where talks broke off?"



Sharon Teare, president of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions, contends Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard has shown 'little or no respect' for the bargaining process. (CBC)

Teare conceded the sides "aren't close" to an agreement.

About 4,000 nursing home workers, including licensed practical nurses, resident attendants and support service workers, have been negotiating a contract since 2016, seeking higher wages.

On May 9, the union negotiators "modified" their initial monetary package proposal to the government, said Teare.
The so-called enhanced offer, no matter how you word it, is no different than what was initially presented.- Union executive
They were told to wait more than four days for the government to come up with a "meaningful response."

But on Tuesday the government came back with only a "marginal" rewording of the initial one per cent offer, which 96 per cent of workers already rejected in early March by voting in favour of a strike, said Teare.

"The so-called enhanced offer, no matter how you word it, is no different than what was initially presented," the Facebook post said.



Shephard said Tuesday night talks had been respectful and collegial, but had reached an impasse with no further negotiations scheduled. (CBC)

On Tuesday, the minister said the government is optimistic a negotiated agreement "will eventually be reached that is fair to nursing home employees and to residents."

But in a revised statement issued minutes later, Shephard said the government is "restricted by the province's fiscal reality and must also be fair to New Brunswick taxpayers."

The union contends the government cannot balance the budget on the backs of workers.
"Our backs are broken."

It is seeking binding arbitration on the issue of wages, arguing real wage improvements are a necessary first step to address recruitment and retention crisis.

Shephard's statement did not mention binding arbitration.

The government previously offered binding arbitration with conditions, but the union rejected it, calling for unrestricted proceedings.

Judicial review next week


The  New Brunswick Council of Nursing Homes Unions represents CUPE employees at 46 non-profit nursing homes across the province.

On April 26, the Court of Appeal stayed a labour board decision that would have allowed the nursing home workers to walk off the job.

The three-justice panel ruled there will be no strike until a judicial review of the labour board decision is completed or until further orders from the Court of Queen's Bench. A judicial review is set to begin on May 24 in Moncton.

With files from Radio-Canada


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Nursing home workers occupy riding offices of 8 cabinet ministers

Union, employer are scheduled to return to the bargaining table Thursday

CBC News ·

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy's Fredericton West-Hanwell riding office was among those targeted by nursing home workers during Monday's demonstrations. (Michel Corriveau/Radio-Canada)



New Brunswick nursing home workers are occupying the constituency offices of eight cabinet ministers across the province, demanding binding arbitration to obtain a fair collective agreement.

The move on Monday comes on the heels of a tense three-day sit-in outside the Fredericton office of Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard last week.

At that time, members of the bargaining committee were demanding a meeting with Shephard or Premier Blaine Higgs to discuss the contract dispute and the union's push for higher wages — a move Shephard described as bullying.


CUPE spokesperson Simon Ouellette said members of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Homes Unions were "energized" by the actions of the bargaining committee, "and they're saying, 'You know, this is also a local fight.'"

They are staging protests Monday inside and outside the local riding offices of:
  • Robert Gauvin in Shippagan.
  • Andrea Anderson-Mason in Fundy-The Isles-Saint John West.
  • Ernie Steeves in Moncton.
  • Trevor Holder in Saint John.
  • Ted Flemming in Rothesay.
  • Dominic Cardy in Fredericton.
  • Bill Oliver in Grand Bay-Westfield.
  • Carl Urquhart in Nackawic.
Members have been at the offices since around 7 a.m. and plan to stay until "later tonight," said Ouellette.

"They won't (to my knowledge) stay there overnight," he said in an email to CBC News.
The parties are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on Thursday.

Members want Thursday's bargaining meeting to "be fruitful," said Ouellette. If no contract agreement can be reached, they want binding arbitration.

The nursing home workers sat peacefully outside deputy premier Robert Gauvin's riding office in Shippagan on Monday. (Alix Villeneuve/Radio-Canada)
Outside deputy premier Robert Gauvin's office in Shippagan, the protesters sat peacefully on the ground, while his employee continued working.

When someone came out of the office, the protesters tried to enter and "were jostled," said Brenda Roy, spokesperson for locals 1507 and 1378. "They did not want us to come in."

Gauvin took a few minutes to talk to the workers — an unexpected meeting that he quickly cut short.
In Moncton, about 30 workers exchanged trumpets with car horns in front of Finance Minister Ernie Steeves's office, which was locked even though it's usually open on Mondays.

"In some places the ministers just left," said Ouellette. "They need to hear from their constituents, they have this obligation to serve their constituents, and these workers are also their constituents. They're not just nursing home workers, they're also citizens and they have rights and they vote."

Meanwhile, Chancery Place in Fredericton, which houses several government departments and the Premier's Office, has been locked down. Security personnel said it's a precaution against more CUPE protests such as the one down the street last week at Shephard's office.


CUPE ended its sit-in at Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard's office on Saturday but said its fight with government for wage increases isn't over. (Lauren Bird/CBC)

The Department of Social Development respects the union's right to protest peacefully but maintains the only way to achieve a new collective agreement is by negotiating at the table, spokesperson Danielle Elliott said in an email to CBC News.

"We are looking forward to returning soon," she said.

"That is why we have enhanced our offer and also offered binding arbitration with reasonable conditions. It is important to note that while the employer has modified its offer, CUPE's demands for a 20 per cent wage increase have not changed."

About 4,000 nursing home workers, including licensed practical nurses, resident attendants and support service workers, have been negotiating a contract since 2016, seeking higher wages.

In early March, workers voted 90 per cent in favour of a strike, but on April 26, the Court of Appeal stayed a labour board decision that would have allowed the workers to walk off the job.

The three-justice panel ruled there will be no strike until a judicial review of the labour board decision is completed or until further orders from the Court of Queen's Bench.


Last month, the streets of Fredericton were filled with black and yellow as hundreds of unionized public sector workers voiced their anger with the Higgs government in a very public show of support for nursing home employees. (CBC)

The labour board decision said provincial legislation that deems nursing home work an essential service is unconstitutional because it doesn't allow workers to fully strike.

The province, which provides money to operate the homes, is challenging that decision.

Higgs has said the province would agree to binding arbitration only if the arbitrator took into account the wages of similar jobs in the public and private sectors. The union contends this imposition of conditions would not be binding arbitration.



With files from Jennifer Sweet and Radio-Canada

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