Some medical services cancelled as CUPE strike enters Day 2
CBC
As more medical staff hit the picket line, at least one COVID-19 vaccination clinic has been cancelled because of a strike by members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, according to the province.
A COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Fredericton set for Saturday was cancelled.
CBC News has reached out to the province to see whether any other clinics or testing sites have been closed because of the strike, but hasn't heard back.
In a tweet, Horizon Health said it is "assessing health care services and will notify the public if there is a change."
Vitalite Health has also confirmed that a flu clinic in Haut-Madawaska today has been cancelled, but did not directly link the closure to the strike.
While some services have already been affected, the province wrote in a press release Friday that contingencies are in place, but there are "no additional designated essential workers for the new services established to manage the COVID-19 pandemic."
"Labour disruptions targeting COVID-19 services would result in a significant reduction in the health system's capacity to provide COVID-19 screening for access to hospitals, COVID-19 assessment and PCR testing, laboratory services and vaccination."
Premier Blaine Higgs is scheduled to hold a news conference today at 2 p.m.
Job action commenced earlier this week after talks between CUPE and the province broke down.
Higgs told reporters Friday that he stands by the offer the province made to the union.
He said the province offered wage increases of 8.5 per cent over five years, while the union wanted 12 per cent over five years.
"We have offered a fair package to the employees," Higgs said.
CUPE spokesperson Simon Ouellette said CUPE president Steve Drost has been in contact with Higgs, but that talks were not fruitful.
"It didn't go very far with the premier," said Ouellette. "He seems to have dug in his heels unfortunately.
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