On November 12, the province announced measures to bring striking healthcare workers back to work.
This order was issued under threat of fines for workers who did not go back to work and for CUPE itself if workers did not report.
Despite these threats, many workers were turned away at the job site and sent home.
Union leaders say the government was unclear in its order and members were told they were still on strike. CUPE 1252 President, Norma Robinson, said the order caused “chaos” within the healthcare system.
She said that many workers who thought they had to return to work were advised to continue picketing.
Fortunately for many, this confusion did not last long as the government soon reached a tentative deal with CUPE, and striking workers returned to work.
The deal also avoided the closure of liquor stores across the province.
What this does show is that the Higgs government is unafraid to impose back to work legislation in the face of a strike. Simon Ouellette of CUPE has previously called these measures heavy-handed.
Should the tentative deal between CUPE and the province break down, it appears likely that Higgs will pursue similar tactics in the face of another strike.
For now, both sides are hopeful that services can resume and striking workers can return to their jobs.