News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) - The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is continuing to take strike action, impacting the delivery of health services in regions across the province.

CUPE’s strike is currently impacting cleaning, supply chain, vaccination clinics and COVID-19 screening in health-care locations across New Brunswick. While there are some designated workers, CUPE’s strike activity is unnecessarily putting further strain on the health-care system.

“CUPE provided no advance notice for their strike activity,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “Furthermore, there are no designated workers for COVID-19 screening because CUPE refused to modify the essential services agreement to allow for designated workers in pandemic operations response such as screening, COVID-19 labs, and vaccination clinics. Their actions are impacting the health and safety of New Brunswickers with no regard whatsoever for COVID-19. While this is having an impact on an already strained health-care system, we are assessing and managing hour by hour. ”

Laundry services

Strike activity is impacting the delivery of laundry services in hospitals and some nursing homes in Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton. 

Travel and transportation

Ongoing ferry service delays are to be expected across the province. Motorists can check for updates regarding any impact to ferry services, by calling 511, checking the NB511 Twitter page or the NB511 website.

Education system

A reminder that beginning on Monday, Nov. 1, all schools across the province will move to home learning. Students will continue to learn from home until the strike is over. More information will be communicated directly to parents by the school system this weekend.

Early learning and child-care facilities located within a school will communicate with parents directly regarding any impact that the strike may have on their services.