Halifax police drop officer assault charge in protest arrest

As the passing of the Liberals’ controversial Bill 1 inches closer, Halifax Police are dropping a charge after arresting NSGEU vice president Jason MacLean earlier in the week.

The move came after investigators viewed a video of MacLean’s arrest during a protest in front of Province House.

The 41-year-old who was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed on Tuesday, said he’s still thinking of laying a complaint.

“I’m a beat down man,” he said. “It’s been a long week. A lot has gone on. You know, you want to be strong for your members and everything else, but it’s really hard when you feel like the system is against you. It’s difficult.”

Members and leaders from NSGEU, CUPE, NSNU and Unifor are expected to line the streets outside Province House again this morning after a full week of rallying against the government’s new health authorities legislation.

The government has said it wants uniformity in the representation of nurses, technologists, administrative and support workers.

The NSGEU said the workers should have the right to vote on which union they want to belong to.

Three other unions are continuing to call for a bargaining association, which would allow unions to keep the members they have.

Premier Stephen McNeil said he won’t amend the legislation.

The final vote on the new bill that would cut the province’s bargaining units from fifty to four is expected to happen today.

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