EAST HANTS: Government will fund public sector employers in health authorities, long-term care, disability support programs and home care to pay all their licensed practical nurses (LPNs) at the same rate.
The decision stems from a 2014 grievance involving almost 400 LPNs in the former Capital District Health Authority who are represented by NSGEU. An arbitrator determined the scope of practise of those LPNs had widened and compensation should increase to reflect that.
In June 2020, a second arbitrator provided those LPNs with a 12-per-cent increase retroactive to March 2014, the date of the original grievance.
Government will now extend the 12-per-cent increase to almost 2,600 more LPNs across the public sector effective June 11, 2020. Only those LPNs included in the original grievance process will receive the increase on a retroactive basis.
“This action ensures our commitment to wage parity of LPNs across the province and addresses issues raised by the Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union and other healthcare labour groups,” said Labour Relations Minister Mark Furey. “All LPNs do the same important work, and deserve the same rate of pay, wherever they are employed. This is the fair and appropriate step to take, and we wanted to move forward without delay.”
The new annual compensation for a full-time LPN at the top of the regular salary scale will be $58,634, up from the current $52,707, an increase of about $6,000 annually.
The annual cost to government to extend the increase to the additional LPNs is $19 million.
Quotes:
“We value the important role LPNs play across the health-care system. They make important contributions daily to the care of Nova Scotians by working collaboratively with other health-care professionals.”
–Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey
Quick Facts:
— LPNs care for patients who are considered stable with predictable outcomes in a variety of settings. LPNs provide nursing services under the direction of an RN, physician or other authorized health care professional
— the annual cost of the 12-per-cent increase for all LPNs, including former Capital District LPNs, is $21.8 million
— retroactive increases for former Capital District LPNs will cost $19.3 million
