Capital Health strike deadline postponed to Thursday

A potential strike at Capital Health has been postponed until Thursday at 7 a.m., Joan Jessome,president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union,announced Tuesday night.

"We're still at the bargaining table, we don't yet have a deal," she said.

Negotiations will continue Wednesday between Capital Health and the union.

Jessome said the union needs a chance to update its members on the negotiations.Both sides have been sequestered since talks began Saturday.

She said the possibility of the strike has created chaos in the workplace because workers were unsure when or if the strike would happen. Postponing the deadline will allow the union a chance to organize and staff to be prepared, she said.

"It's a safety issue, we take what we're doing very seriously.It's not about blinking, it's about being professional."

Jessomeadded the union will meet with members Wednesday to update them on the progress of talks.

This announcement delays a strike that could paralyze non-emergency medical services in Capital Health's network.

About 3,600 hospital workers could walk off the job.

Patients already affected

Capital Health said it has madesignificant changes in anticipation of the strike.Here's a look at what departments have already been affected.

• 1,947 outpatient appointments postponed
• 530 diagnostic imaging appointments postponed
• 300 surgeries postponed
• 172 beds closed by Tuesday night
• 80 - 85 per cent reduction in lab testing by Wednesday

Meanwhile, Health Minister Maureen MacDonald said she won't intervene, despite calls from the Progressive Conservatives to introduce back-to-work legislation to prevent a strike.

"I'm not going to insert myself into this process in any way. I'm not going to speculate. I remain hopeful that a settlement can be reached at the table," MacDonald said.

Jessome is urging Nova Scotians to be patient.

Themembersof Local 42 include licensed practical nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and other staffinmore than 150 job classifications.

They had asked for wage hikes of 5.1 per cent in the first year, which was what nurses were awarded in an arbitration settlement.

Capital Health said the union's demand would cost $26 million, and it doesn't have that money.

Bruce Outhouse was appointed Friday to mediate the contract dispute. He has imposed a media blackout.

Capital Health the province's largest health districthas alreadycancelled non-urgent surgeries.

Dr. David Kirkpatrick, chief of surgery, said Monday that 130operations will be postponed every day during a strike.