News Release
Office of the Official Opposition
 

Rebuild positive labour climate in public sector

Barrett says lost annual leave should be reinstated
August 17th, 2004

Percy Barrett, MHA for Bellevue District and Opposition Labour Critic, is calling on government to take a first step in rebuilding labour relations with public sector unions in the province by reinstating annual leave days that were lost because of the public sector strike earlier this Spring.

"If this government wants to rebuild relations with its public sector employees they could start by reinstating the holidays that workers lost due to the strike," said Mr. Barrett. "This would be a good first step and could help foster some good will."

The Liberal critic says it is his understanding that striking workers lost up to 1.5 days of their annual leave depending on their years of service. Government has removed this portion of their regular annual leave entitlement.

"Government has to take some action to improve relations with its workers and re-establish a more favourable work environment in this province. If they are unwilling to do this, I ask the minister to reveal her plan for improving the morale of workers. I still believe this province is suffering from the reaction to the heavy-handed way which the government dealt with them this spring. Reinstating this lost leave would be a positive first step."

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6151 or 709-687-0477