Contract talks with N.S. public service break down over job protection
The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union is standing firm in their stance on job protection as negotiations with the provincial government have hit a roadblock. The contract for the 8,400 workers represented by the NSGEU expired on March 31, 2024, and talks had been ongoing with a mediator to reach a new collective agreement.
First vice-president of NSGEU, Hugh Gillis, expressed disappointment that discussions took a turn when government officials brought up the job protection clause. Job security is a crucial issue for the union, and they are unwilling to compromise on this matter. The job protection provisions ensure that workers cannot be laid off when their position becomes redundant, relocated, or if a layoff notice is issued. Instead, alternative options such as bumping rights, voluntary layoff with recall rights, or resignation with severance are available to the employees.
In addition to job security, wage increases are also a key point of contention. The union is pushing for a 5.5% wage increase in the first year of the new agreement, aligning with the pattern set by other recent collective agreements in the province. If negotiations do not resume, the dispute will be settled by an arbitration panel hearing scheduled for October 20-21, where both parties will present their arguments and the panel’s decision will be binding.
On a separate note, the provincial government announced new severance terms for non-unionized civil servants who may face layoffs without cause. Amendments to the Civil Service Act now allow the government to terminate non-unionized employees without cause, affecting about a quarter of the public service workforce. The updated regulations provide for four weeks of pay per year of service, capped at 72 weeks, with employees receiving eight weeks’ notice before a layoff.
The government defended the amendments as necessary to adapt to changing needs in the public service, emphasizing that there are no immediate plans for widespread reorganization or layoffs. Departmental staffing decisions will continue to be managed according to operational needs and budgets.
As negotiations continue and potential layoffs loom, the NSGEU remains steadfast in their commitment to protecting their members’ job security and advocating for fair wage increases. The outcome of the arbitration panel hearing will ultimately determine the terms of the new collective agreement for the civil servants of Nova Scotia.
