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Premier Blaine Higgs stated he’s exploring what to do to carry to an finish job motion undertaken by some health-care employees and hasn’t dominated out utilizing the Emergency Measures Act to drive them again to work.
Higgs made the feedback Saturday at a information convention in regards to the strike by some CUPE employees, which is in its second day.
“I am not going to overreact, however I’m going to react as essential,” stated Higgs.
“We are going to assess the well being and security influence as a result of that will be the impetus to have a look at the Emergency Measures [Act.] … however I do not wish to use that loosely.”
Higgs stated the federal government would consider the state of the strike over the subsequent 24 hours.
He stated lots of the health-care employees work in COVID-19 screening and vaccination roles, however aren’t labeled as important employees.
However he stated they’re vital to assist curb the unfold of the virus no matter how they’re labelled.
“These capabilities are essential to the continued well being and security of New Brunswickers,” stated Higgs.
Some clinics cancelled
As extra medical workers hit the picket line, at the least one COVID-19 vaccination clinic was cancelled. It was scheduled for Fredericton.
CBC Information has reached out to the province to see whether or not every other clinics or testing websites have been closed due to the strike, however hasn’t heard again.
In a tweet, Horizon Well being stated it’s “assessing well being care providers and can notify the general public if there’s a change.”
Vitalite Well being has additionally confirmed {that a} flu clinic in Haut-Madawaska right now was cancelled due to the strike.
Whereas some providers have already been affected, the province wrote in a press launch Friday that contingencies are in place, however there are “no further designated important employees for the brand new providers established to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Labour disruptions concentrating on COVID-19 providers would lead to a big discount within the well being system’s capability to supply COVID-19 screening for entry to hospitals, COVID-19 evaluation and PCR testing, laboratory providers and vaccination.”
Higgs stated he did not have precise figures on what number of vaccination or testing clinics have been closed due to the strike as a result of “it is type of random at this stage.”
He stated this can cut back the variety of vaccinations, significantly third doses, however the province is taking a look at methods to offer out extra vaccines at pharmacies.
Impacts on province
In an announcement posted on the province’s web site, the federal government introduced a number of different areas the place it says the strike will influence authorities providers.
It says the strike will delay laundry providers in some hospitals and nursing houses in Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John. There are additionally ferry delays, the province says.
Beginning Monday, all faculties within the province will transfer to on-line studying till the strike is over.
Higgs stands behind provide
Higgs informed reporters Friday that he stands by the provide the province made to the union.
He stated the province supplied wage will increase of 8.5 per cent over 5 years, whereas the union needed 12 per cent over 5 years.
“Now we have supplied a good package deal to the workers,” Higgs stated.
CUPE spokesperson Simon Ouellette stated CUPE president Steve Drost has been in touch with Higgs, however that talks weren’t fruitful.
“It did not go very far with the premier,” stated Ouellette. “He appears to have dug in his heels sadly.
“He is not all in favour of providing wages which might be above inflation, which is obscure after he is predicting a fifth consecutive surplus, and we’re speaking in regards to the people who … are getting us out of the pandemic.”
Some medical workers be a part of picket line
Much more employees have gone on strike throughout Day 2 of labour motion by CUPE locals in New Brunswick and a few CUPE hospital employees have additionally walked off the job.
Bryan Harris, secretary treasurer of CUPE 1252 and an emergency medical dispatcher for Ambulance New Brunswick, confirmed that some employees in that native have walked off the job.
Harris stated he cannot say what number of medical providers have been impacted by the strike.
“I am in Moncton, and there hasn’t actually been an entire lot of influence right here. I’ve heard a few issues, however loads of it is rumour. There’s nothing I’d actually be capable of affirm.”
Harris stated whereas the native is “100 per cent” in favour of the strike, that does not imply employees actually wish to be out on the picket line.
“We might a lot fairly be doing our jobs and doing what we like to do, which helps individuals. However we’re simply left with no alternative,” stated Harris.
These employees are in well being zones three, 4 and 7.
Ten union locals are in strike place and a few have been hitting the picket line after the province pulled out of negotiations earlier this week.
On Saturday, Ouellette stated there are six locals formally on strike.
These embody college district staff, instructional help employees, New Brunswick Group School and Le Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick employees.
A letter posted to the union’s Twitter web page thanked New Brunswickers who had proven help for the motion that began on Friday.
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