NB 1058
Sept. 25, 2004
FREDERICTON (CNB) -- Local 1252 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) broke off talks with the province this morning after sticking to their demand for significant across-the-board wage increases for their members, Office of Human Resources Minister Rose-May Poirier said today.
"I am deeply disappointed that the union chose to break off contract talks today," Poirier said. "Our offer was both fair and reasonable."
The union, which represents approximately 6,500 hospital workers, voted 95.8 per cent in favour of strike action earlier this month and have been in legal strike position since 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 25. However, an average of 60 per cent of the group are designated essential and will remain on the job to provide services to the people of New Brunswick.
When the union left the negotiating table, the government had two proposals for consideration. A four-year agreement with a minimum wage increase of 8 per cent and maximum increase of 24 per cent or a five-year agreement with a minimum increase of 12 per cent and maximum increase of 29 per cent.
The average increase is 12 per cent in the four-year agreement and 16 per cent in the five-year agreement, above the predicted cost of living. The Conference Board of Canada predicts a 6.9 per cent increase in cost of living over the length of the proposed 4-year contract and 8.9 per cent over the length of the proposed 5-year contract.
"We had been saying all along that the union has to come back with a more reasonable position, but unfortunately they continue to insist upon large, additional, across-the-board wage increases," Poirier said. "We are offering a good package for all members plus significant adjustments where retention and recruitment issues warrant. We have said we are prepared to be flexible with those particular classifications, but we can't justify additional adjustments for every job."
Poirier said the government is willing to return to the negotiating table anytime, but the union must be more reasonable in its demands.
"The Government has provided the members of CUPE 1252 with a fair and reasonable offer, not only to them but also to the taxpayers of New Brunswick," Poirier said. "If the union is willing to discuss these options further, we are more than ready to return to the table."
EDITOR'S NOTE : A chart is included. MEDIA CONTACT : Christina Winsor, Communications, Office of Human Resources, 506 453-8014.
| CLASSIFICATION | CURRENT
HOURLY RATE |
HOURLY RATE AFTER 4 YEAR CONTRACT | HOURLY RATE AFTER 5 YEAR CONTRACT |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $15.04 | $18.56
(23.4% increase) |
$19.31
(28.39% increase) |
| Operating Room
Technician |
$15.29 | $18.91
(23.68% increase) |
$19.67
(28.65% increase) |
| Cardiology Technician 2 | $14.26 | $17.69
(24.05% increase) |
$18.41
(29.1% increase) |
| Cardiology Technician 3 and ECG Technician 4 | $14.83 | $18.23
(22.93% increase) |
$18.96
(27.85% increase) |
| Pharmacy Technician 2 | $14.14 | $16.85
(19.17% increase) |
$17.52
(23.9% increase) |
| Tradesperson 2 | $17.15 | $20.71
(20.76% increase) |
$21.54
(25.6% increase) |
| CLASSIFICATION | CURRENT
ANNUAL SALARY |
ANNUAL SALARY AFTER 4 YEAR CONTRACT | ANNUAL SALARY AFTER 5 YEAR CONTRACT |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $29,328 | $36,192 | $37,655 |
| Operating Room
Technician |
$29,815 | $36,875 | $38,357 |
| Cardiology Technician 2 | $27,807 | $34,496 | $35,900 |
| Cardiology Technician 3 and ECG Technician 4 | $28,918 | $35,549 | $36,972 |
| Pharmacy Technician 2 | $27,573 | $32,858 | $34,164 |
| Tradesperson 2 | $33,442 | $40,385 | $42,003 |
04/09/25