Health-care unions reach tentative agreement with N.S. Health, IWK

A strike appears to have been averted in the Nova Scotia health-care sector.

The unions representing about 9,000 health-care professionals across the province reached a tentative agreement with representatives from the IWK and Nova Scotia Health at 4:30 a.m. Friday. 

The Council of Health Care Unions — made up of the NSGEU, CUPE and Unifor —  said in a news release that the tentative agreement was reached after a "marathon day of bargaining."

"This is a good deal and one the committee is prepared to recommend to members," NSGEU president Sandra Mullen said in a media release.

The current agreement expired in October 2023. 

"We came to the table in good faith, offered a fair pay increase and were able to agree on terms with the council. We believe this is a fair deal for workers and taxpayers," said Health Minister Michelle Thompson in a news release. 

In July, the union filed for conciliation to reach an essential services agreement with the province, a first step toward a possible strike.

The workers represent dozens of occupations, not including doctors and nurses, within the health-care system. They have been without a contract for nearly a year.

The unions expect to vote on the contract proposal sometime next week.

Details of the tentative agreement will not be released until it is ratified by union members, according to the province.