The Labour Relations Board has  issued an order in relation to the application filed by Eastern Health requesting one bargaining unit for health professionals.  This application which was submitted in January 2007, requested the Labour Relations Board to issue an order that would see all AAHP health professionals (primarily institutions, cancer clinic & nursing homes)  and all the NAPE health professionals (primarily community health) in one bargaining unit.  An amended application in June 2008, advised that Eastern Health was removing the “faith based nursing homes” from the application.  The amended application was investigated and considered by the Labour Relations Board on February 25, 2009.  We received notification of the order on Monday, March 2^nd. 

Some of the issues the Board considered in its determination, the Labour Relations board stated:

 “Further, Eastern Health’s rationale for  seeking consolidated bargaining units is contradicted by the fact that it continues to assert that it is the employer of the employees of the Agens Pratt Home, Pentecostal Senior Citizens Home, Saint Luke’s Home, St. Patrick’s Mercy Home and the Salvation Army Glenbrook Lodge and yet it no longer seeks to include those employees in the consolidated bargaining units.

“Further, as Eastern Health maintains it is the employer, the bargaining unit structures proposed by the employer continues to lead to undue fragmentation and untenable bargaining units leading to disharmonious labour relations and is neither workable nor viable.  The consolidation of the bargaining units in the manner proposed by Eastern Health is not appropriate in the circumstances.”

Based on the above the Labour Relations Board has ordered that the amended application be dismissed.

We have confirmed with the Board that this essentially means this file is now closed.  Should Eastern Health wish to pursue a one bargaining unit model, a new application would have to be submitted and essentially the process restarted from the beginning.  We do not anticipate that happening in the near future. 

To summarize, the long, awaited, anticipated vote between AAHP and NAPE in Eastern Health will not be taking place.  The status quo will be remaining, at least for now.   We will be requesting Eastern Health to commence Transitional Talks with our current bargaining unit as soon as possible.

Central Health members are advised that this ruling does not affect the application by Central Health.  The Board reviewed the application and has asked its investigating officer to attained further information before it rules on the application.  No date has been set for an order to be issued.