NSGEU calls on province to open contract negotiations for 811 employees

Nova Scotia’s largest labor union is calling on the county government to increase pay for employees of the county’s 811 telehealth system.

The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union said in a statement Tuesday that while the service provided by 811 employees is “an integral part of our health care system,” workers earn between $17.05 and $18.44 per hour.

The 18 employees take calls from the public for medical advice and decide whether to speak to a nurse or be transferred to 911. They also help people who want to be placed on a doctor’s waiting list.

They are employed by Emergency Medical Care Inc., which is contracted and funded by the county government.

“They are very frustrated and seen as a vital link in the healthcare system here in Nova Scotia,” NSGEU president Sandra Mullen said in an interview Tuesday. “They do critical work and they are a 24/7 service.”

The union also pointed out that workers with similar duties on the 311 line in Halifax Regional Municipality have a starting wage of $26.90 per hour. The wages of 811 workers also fall under the $23.50 per hour living wage for Halifax, where the service is based.

High turnover, says union

Mullen said the union wants the contract signed with the government to be renegotiated as soon as possible. The last time talks were held was under the previous Liberal government, and Mullen said the contract will not be renegotiated until after 2024.

“[The] government has proven all along in this current administration that it is willing to do things that are outside standard practice,” she said. chance to look at this.”

The low wages are partly responsible for the high turnover of telehealth workers, Mullen added.

“Our members tell us that when people ask if they want to work there, when they find out the pay scales, they don’t even go through with the interview,” she said.

Ministry of Health and Welfare spokesperson Khalehla Perrault said in an emailed statement Tuesday that the current agreement expires Oct. 31.

“We respect the collective bargaining process and look forward to the outcome of those discussions,” Perrault said.