The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union says services will take a hit if health care workers go on strike, but Capital Health’s emergency services will still be provided.

Nearly 3,000 strike vote ballots ‘ the strongest turnout in Local 42′s history ‘ were cast by members and will be tallied Monday afternoon.

Union president Joan Jessome said Local 42 and Capital Health will have an emergency services agreement in place in case of a strike or lockout that keeps services like emergency rooms running.

“They’ll be a percentage (of workers) everywhere, but it won’t be at 100 per cent, or anywhere near it,” said Jessome, stressing that certain emergency and critical care units will be working at or near full capacity. “We’re hoping it won’t have to go that far but (a strike) will have an impact.”

Peter Graham, a spokesman for Capital Health, said the sides will return to the bargaining table on April 3 for three days of talks.