Canadian Blood Services Nurses Ratify Agreement

(Halifax, November 13/24) Nurses employed by Canadian Blood Services (CBS) and represented by the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union (NSNU) have ratified a collective agreement that addresses issues related to their area of nursing and is competitive with other sectors of care in the province. 

CBS nurses voted in favour of a ten-year contract that includes improvements in wages, premiums, benefits, and work-life balance. 

Face-to-face bargaining between representatives of CBS and the Nurses’ Union began May 30th, 2024, and concluded on October 30th. 

Janet Hazelton, the president of the NSNU believes that this agreement reflects the value of the work CBS nurses provide. 

“We’re pleased that our members will receive wages and benefits that recognize the important work they do in our communities. Like any category of nursing, it’s important that we address matters of retention and recruitment. I believe we achieved those goals,” says Hazelton.  

CBS nurses work in Halifax and Sydney; approximately 18 registered nurses in total. 

The new collective agreement will expire October 31st, 2030, and is retroactive to November 1st, 2020. The length of the agreement enables the NSNU to secure existing benefits while maintaining wage parity throughout the lifetime of the agreement.  

Voting on the agreement took place between November 7th to 12th. Voting results were made known to CBS nurses earlier today.  

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The NSNU represents close to 9000 Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners and Licensed Practical Nurses working in hospitals, long term care facilities, and community care (VON and Canadian Blood Services). The NSNU is a member organization of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions which represents over 250,000 nurses and student nurses across Canada.

Contact
Coleen Logan, Communications Officer
Bus. 468-0283 | Mobile 430-6169
coleen.logan [at] nsnu.ca