South West Health

Serving Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby Counties

News Release

Monday, January 18, 2010

CUPE Strike Over -- South West Health Services Returning to Normal

Health care services in South West Health are gradually resuming now that a tentative agreement has been reached with members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

Members of the CUPE union have returned to work after briefly setting up picket lines at the Digby General Hospital, Roseway Hospital and Yarmouth Regional Hospital. The Union will be sharing details of the tentative agreement with its members who will have an opportunity to vote on the deal. Otherwise, few specifics are being released publicly about the agreement.

“We are very pleased a tentative agreement has been reached and we welcome our CUPE employees back to work,” said Blaise MacNeil, CEO, South West Health. “Each and every member of our health care team is essential in providing safe, quality care to our patients, clients and the communities we serve. We can now focus on re-booking appointments and resuming services as soon as possible.”

All non-urgent appointments, clinics, surgeries and services that were postponed in anticipation of the strike are being rescheduled.

South West Health sincerely appreciates the patience and cooperation of all staff, physicians, volunteers and members of the public during this situation.

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For information, contact:

Fraser Mooney, Communications Director, South West Health

902-749-0517

fmooney@swndha.nshealth.ca