The union representing licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in New Brunswick says the province is on the verge of a retention and recruitment crisis.
CUPE held a virtual news conference Monday calling on the Higgs government to take several steps to address the situation.
“The Higgs government has not recognized the value of their work, their scope of practice, or the valuable service they provide to New Brunswickers,” said Norma Robinson, president of CUPE Local 1252, which represents more than 2,000 LPNs.
Robinson said CUPE negotiated a commitment with the government in 2017 to review the LPN classification due to the evolution of their work and to address the monetary value of their changes.”
She said the study, also known as a joint job evaluation process, has yet to be completed.
“This process was stalled in 2019 by the Higgs government failing to recognize changes that were identified by the study,” said Robinson.
Robinson said the union has also met with the government on several occasions to discuss recruitment and retention, but she maintains that nothing is being done.
In addition to the LPN classification review, CUPE also wants New Brunswick to recognize LPNs as nurses as every other province does.
“LPNs provide 90 per cent of the scope of a registered nurse, but they only receive 64 per cent of the wages,” said Robinson. “Should they not receive equal pay for equal work?”
Robinson noted that LPNs in New Brunswick make an average of 14 per cent less than their counterparts in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
LPNs have been fighting to leave CUPE for another union over claims they are not being properly represented by the local, which oversees more than 9,000 health care workers across the province.
An overwhelming 85 per cent voted to join the Atlantic Canada Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers, but the New Brunswick Labour and Employment Board rejected the request earlier this month.
“CUPE 1252 has represented, defended, supported and advocated for LPNs in New Brunswick, but the same cannot be said for the Higgs government,” said Robinson.
“It is time for Premier Higgs to come to the table, it is time for Premier Higgs to resolve these issues, and the time is now.”
Robinson said if the government fails to act, the staffing situation will only worsen in New Brunswick.
During Monday’s COVID-19 briefing, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said every single province is dealing with a recruitment and retention crisis.
“It’s no secret that in the health-care sector, we have a shortage of health-care professionals in almost every single category,” said Shephard.
Shephard also said she has no objection to meeting with LPNs to discuss their concerns.
“I certainly would like to ensure that we have all the information that I need before that kind of a meeting takes place,” she said. “I’m sure that that won’t be in the too-far future.”
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