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CUPE NS: “A problem with an NSH contractor is a problem with the NSH.”

HALIFAX-KJIPUKTUK, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This morning, President of CUPE Nova Scotia Nan McFadgen sent a letter to Nova Scotia Health (NSH) Interim President and CEO Karen Oldfield calling for Nova Scotia Health to stop ignoring the ongoing problems caused by their contractor, Paladin Security.

Due to their own practices, Paladin Security has lost the ability to participate in the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) and thus hundreds of security personnel in Nova Scotia hospitals are now left without a sponsor in the middle of their permanent residency applications.

“It’s absolutely shameful,” said McFadgen. “These security guards have worked for years to become citizens and suddenly, because Paladin isn’t following the rules, they’re told too bad, so sad. This situation isn’t their fault, it’s Paladin’s, so why are these workers being punished for it?”

CUPE 5479 has been bargaining a first collective agreement with Paladin Security since June 2023. Paladin consistently claims that they cannot agree to certain priority items—such as improved protective gear like a slash vest to prevent stabbing injuries, or higher wages to cover even the most basic cost of living—because the NSH has not given them the ability to do so.

“If Paladin can’t agree to terms because the NSH says so, then that means the NSH is just as much a part of this bargaining as Paladin and CUPE 5479,” continued McFadgen. “If that’s the case, then this terrible situation is just as much their fault too. A problem with an NSH contractor is a problem with the NSH and they need to step up and fix it.”

The full letter is available here: https://novascotia.cupe.ca/2025/02/03/nsh-needs-to-step-up/

:so/cope491

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Nan McFadgen
CUPE Nova Scotia President
(902) 759-3231

Taylor Johnston
CUPE Atlantic Communications Representative
tjohnston@cupe.ca

Industry:

CUPE Nova Scotia

Release Versions
English

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Nan McFadgen
CUPE Nova Scotia President
(902) 759-3231

Taylor Johnston
CUPE Atlantic Communications Representative
tjohnston@cupe.ca

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