P.E.I. blood services strike needs to end, says Opposition

Prince Edward Island's Opposition Progressive Conservatives have called on the health minister to help end the strike by Canadian Blood Services workers.

During question period on Wednesday, StratfordKinlock MLA James Aylward said the workers have been off the job for more than eight months, and that's enough.

Aylward asked Health Minister Robert Henderson to help get the two sides back to the table.

"Minister, why are you failing to show leadership to blood services that your department funds to demand fairness and to end this ongoing strike by Island blood service workers?"

'Inappropriate' to wade into labour dispute

Henderson said the province does provide $250,000 a year to Canadian Blood Services, but it's not within his jurisdiction to get involved.

"It would be very inappropriate for me as Minister of Health to intervene into a labour dispute, where we have previous information that Chief Justice Krever in his commission stated that these organizations be considered arms length arrangements, Mr. Speaker."

In 1997, the Krever Report made that ruling after the tainted blood commission examined how HIV and Hepatitis C ended up in the blood supply.

Eight part-time workers and support staff have been off the job since October. They're asking for a minimum number of hours a week.

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