Whitehorse hospital, union, ask for conciliator in talks
Last Updated: Friday, April 11, 2008 | 6:10 PM CT
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Whitehorse General Hospital and the union representing its nurses are asking Ottawa to help them work out a new contract.
Hospital management and negotiators with the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada have asked federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn to appoint a conciliator for the talks, which broke off April 4.
The nurses' previous collective agreement expired on Jan. 31. The Ottawa-based union represents more than 100 nurses at the Yukon hospital.
In a statement, hospital CEO Joe MacGillivray said a conciliator would help both parties work out a mutually accepted agreement on outstanding issues.
The main outstanding issue is wages, James Bart, the union's senior negotiator, told CBC News.
"I will tell you that I believe the hospital is in a tough spot," Bart said Friday.
"They are dependent upon the territorial government for funding, and their level of funding that has been provided has put us in a position where we've had to request assistance. In other words, we're a bit apart on the wages."
In his statement, MacGillivray said the contract talks mark a sensitive time for both hospital management and the union. He said he would not comment on issues that are on the bargaining table.
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