In this March 1, 2012 file photo, Nova Scotia Health Minister Maureen MacDonald leaves the podium after announcing that various departmental administrative services will be merged to save money.
A potential strike by 3,600 hospital workers in Halifax will not affect urgent and emergency surgeries, Nova Scotia's health minister said Thursday.
Maureen MacDonald said surgeries deemed essential under a clinical protocol would be performed if workers walk off the job at midnight on Wednesday.
She said the surgeries would be done under an emergency services agreement between Capital Health and the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union.
"All surgeries that have an immediate need to be done will go forward ... but other surgeries, including some kinds of cancer surgeries, could be postponed or cancelled," said Ms. MacDonald.
Capital Health has already said there are about 9,000 people on waiting lists for various medical procedures and surgeries. It expects to defer about 104 a day during a strike.
In the meantime, Ms. MacDonald said the government was encouraging both sides to go back to the bargaining table, adding that she had no plans to interfere in the collective bargaining process.
Talks broke off after three days of conciliation earlier this month.
"We're at a very critical point in the potential countdown for a strike and I am not going to insert myself into the process by commenting further," Ms. MacDonald said.
Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie said the government needed a plan to ensure all surgeries are performed as scheduled.
He said every option should be considered, including back-to-work legislation.
"Back-to-work legislation is, I think, a very real option so that people know their surgeries are not going to be held up," said Mr. Baillie.
The union represents workers in a range of jobs, including nurses, occupational therapists, medical lab technicians and social workers.
The workers want a 5.1 per cent raise in the first year to match an arbitrator's award for registered nurses, and cost of living increases for the remaining years of a three-year contract.
Capital Health offered one per cent for each of the three years.