Health sciences union to end rotating strikes, but deal appears no closer; Rotating strikes to end, without health deal

VICTORIA - B.C.'s health science professionals have called off rotating strikes after getting a new contract proposal from the provincial government, but the union says it's not taking the deal.

The province tabled a wage increase and concessions just before midnight Saturday, but officials with the Health Science Association of BC say it still "far off the mark."

President Reid Johnson said Sunday he believes the government is trying to provoke members into escalating job action, in order to gain an excuse to recall the legislature and impose a collective agreement.

He says the union won't go down that road, because their dispute is with the government and not with members of the public who need its members' services.

B.C. Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid says she's relieved the planned job action has been suspended, and believes the new proposal includes a fair wage increase over two years that is similar to other deals recently signed with other health-care workers.

She says rotating strikes last week lead to the cancellation of about 3,000 medical procedures, including diagnostic imaging and surgeries, while another 1,500 patients lost access to other services.