Negotiations between the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes and the union representing its workers resumed on Monday in Fredericton.
The provincial government has announced it will be part of the talks at the request of the association.
Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard says while the province will be at the table, the association will still lead the negotiations.
Shephard was granted a ten day stay order from the court which prevented the workers from legally striking on Sunday.
She has reiterated that her main priority is to protect nursing home residents.
Members of CUPE were upset by the order and many staged noon hour protests around the province on Monday.
A statement from the Canadian Union Of Public Employees says, “Our Union believes it is important to keep CUPE members and citizens updated on what is happening with bargaining with the NB Council of Nursing Home unions. We are relieved that the province has finally accepted the Union’s repeated invitations to be present at the table for negotiations. Since Friday morning, the union has been waiting and continually requesting the employer and government to come to the table. It has been clear by recent actions that Government does not support the free collective bargaining process or the workers’ right to strike. Only when a negotiated collective agreement is achieved will our members, nursing home residents and their families, be able to move on.”
More than 4,100 workers are affected at 45 nursing homes across New Brunswick.
Wages and working conditions have been the main sticking points in negotiations.
