Regional Health Authorities and IUOE Reach Tentative Agreement

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Honourable Jamie Ballem, announced today that the Health Negotiation Committee and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) have reached a tentative agreement.

IUOE represents approximately 600 employees working in the technical and clerical fields employed within the Regional Health Authorities.

Minister Ballem indicated that the bargaining process began in April 2000. When the two parties reached an impasse in June, a conciliation officer was appointed under the Labour Act, and the conciliation process occurred on November 6 and November 7.

Minister Ballem advised that the next step is for the Health Negotiation Committee to seek ratification of the tentative agreement from the Regional Health Authorities and Treasury Board and for the Union Bargaining Committee to seek ratification from its membership. The minister advised that while he is not yet able to comment on the terms of the settlement, he expressed pleasure that a tentative agreement had been reached and thanked all parties for their efforts in the process.