(photo courtesy of the NBNU)
More than 6000 nurses represented by the New Brunswick Nurses Union have voted to reject tentative agreements from the provincial government.
The two units include registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse managers and nurse supervisors working in hospitals, public and community health programs, Ambulance NB and extra-mural programs.
The tentative deal was reached last month but details were not made public.
NBNU President Paula Doucet says, “Many changes need to be made to improve the working conditions and overall quality of life for New Brunswick nurses. Nurses have been working tirelessly for many years and have stepped up throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They are fearful for their future, exhausted from working unhealthy amounts of overtime and on-call, and are pleading to have their voices heard by healthcare leaders. With an overwhelming rejection vote, their voices are heard, and their demand for respect is more evident than ever. The status quo is unsustainable.”
NBNU plans now to meet with negotiating teams and local presidents to push for a renewed collective agreement that will address their concerns.
