Nurses threaten strike vote if contract talks fail

The New Brunswick Nurses Union says it's ready to ask its members for a strike vote if the next round of negotiations with the government fails to produce any movement on the issue of wages.

The president of the nurses union, Marilyn Quinn, said the two sides will head back to the bargaining table on Nov. 4 with the main issue being better compensation for nurses, especially those who work evenings, nights and weekends.

Quinnsaid the local presidents have offered the negotiating team a strong mandate.

"They've directed them to go back to the table.We have to seek the necessary monetary improvements, but it must be tied to a partnership agreement with the department of health, a partnership agreement around recruitment and retention," Quinn said. "If success is not met at the table on Nov. 4, the negotiating committee will return and initiate a strike vote."

Sarah Ketcheson, a spokesperson for the Office of Human Resources, said the government is also eager to get back to the bargaining table.

"We are very optimistic and we are ready to get down to work and look at all of the issues the union will present to us," Ketcheson said.

The finance minister has warned that the province is entering difficult economic times.

"The minister of human resources has already said we are in uncertain economic times, so we face challenges, so we have to be responsible," she said.

Quinn said nurses need incentives to stay in New Brunswick, like forgivable loans for nursing students.

Union leadershad reached a tentative deal with the government in the summer that was rejected by a slim margin in a ratification vote.

Quinn said working conditions are not getting better leading her to believe there would be more support for a strike vote this time around. Nurses are working short-handed, putting in lots of overtime and working double shifts, according to the union.

If negotiations break down again, a strike vote will be called and if the nurses endorse job action, they could be on strike 30 days after the vote.