Paula Doucet is the president of the New Brunswick Nurses Union. (Image: Tara Clow)
The New Brunswick Nurses’ Union is set to begin strike votes across the province Thursday.
Bargaining units for the union rejected tentative agreements brought forward in August and October.
“The conditions are not ideal and nurses are tired, and they’re fed up. And yes, they are either choosing to quit and leave the profession altogether, or they’re going off on sick leave and in some cases long-term disability,” said Paula Doucet, President of the NBNU, which represents roughly 9,000 nurses.
Following four days of voting, local presidents will descend upon Fredericton to begin counting with the New Brunswick Labour Board, according to Doucet.
The parties are not currently negotiating, though Doucet said the union is prepared to return to the table after results are made public.
Details of the demands are not being shared due to a media blackout.
Troubling working conditions have nurses “to the point of exhaustion,” according to Doucet, adding there are upwards of 1,000 registered nurse vacancies.
She said in her 25 years of being a registered nurse, never has she heard of so many nurses leaving the profession.
“It’s very difficult for nurses in this province to get to this point where they have to take a strike vote in order for their voices to be heard by the government and employers.”
Results of the strike vote will be announced on Monday.
