Union protesters blocked traffic outside the Nova Scotia legislature Tuesday morning as the government pushes through legislation that changes the bargaining structure in the health-care system. <\/p>\n
At one point a car carrying Premier Stephen McNeil was caught up in the protest. <\/p>\n
A man who was part of the demonstration was handcuffed by police and put in the back of a police van. <\/p>\n
The bill introduced by the provinces Liberal government would merge bargaining units. The government wants to cut the number of units to four from 50 by April 1. <\/p>\n
Public-sector unions say the bill violates labour rights, but McNeil argues the legislation would protect patients and workers while ensuring health care is sustainable. <\/p>\n
The government has put the bill on a fast-track. By using its majority in the house, the government can get the legislation approved and into committee by Wednesday. <\/p>\n
In Question Period, Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie asked why the government combined the labour provisions of the bill with those that would cut the number of health authorities to two from 10. The Tories would prefer two bills to avoid disruption in the health-care system, he said. <\/p>\n
About 500 union members protested outside the legislature on Monday when the bill was introduced, but the demonstration on Tuesday was much smaller. <\/p>\n
On Monday, protester Lisa Gentile said the bill is an attack on unions. <\/p>\n
As I see it they are trying to break the unions and they are going to start with health care and work their way through, said Gentile, a daycare worker from Glace Bay. <\/p>\n
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The rest is here:<\/p>\n
Nova Scotia presses on with health-care bill as unions rally in protest<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Union protesters blocked traffic outside the Nova Scotia legislature Tuesday morning as the government pushes through legislation that changes the bargaining structure in the health-care system. Continue reading