Premier Higgs says he plans to spend next 24 hours assessing province’s options for ending CUPE strike
New Brunswick’s Premier said he would be using the next 24 hours to explore his options for ending a strike by thousands of unionized provincial workers after the job action impacted health care services on Saturday.
“The health and safety of New Brunswickers is of primary concern for our government,” Higg said in a Saturday afternoon news conference. “The pandemic has put an extra strain on the health care system in our province. Now, the actions taken by CUPE are making that strain worse and ... impacting residents of our province.”In a social-media post Saturday, the Horizon Health Network said it was assessing health care services as a result of the strike and would notify the public of any changes.
“I don’t take it lightly to bring in back-to-work legislation,” he said. “It is only in a situation where we feel that is the only option available to us.”While many employees in the union are deemed essential and must report to work, Higgs said CUPE refused to amend the essential services agreement to include people who screen for COVID-19.
But CUPE New Brunswick president Steve Drost accused the premier of continually trying to lay blame on the union, noting provincial members voted 94 per cent in favour of a strike.
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