|
Opposition Leader Roger Grimes said today that the Premier has confirmed
that over 1000 jobs will be cut in tomorrow’s provincial budget. The Premier
made the comments while being questioned in the House of Assembly and by the
media. These cuts will come from management positions, the Newfoundland
Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE), the Canadian Union of
Public Employees (CUPE) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers
Association (NLTA). "During the election the Premier said there would be
no layoffs in the public service," said Mr. Grimes. "It is obvious today
that the Premier has broken another election promise and will now cut
positions that are vital in the daily function of our province. Did the
Premier plan these cuts all along and mislead the people of the province?
"The timing of this announcement and the budget makes it that much more
difficult to reach an agreement with NAPE and CUPE before the March 31st
deadline. Why would a Premier who is trying to avert a strike tell the
unions that they will now face hundreds of job losses in addition to a wage
freeze and benefit concessions. The Premier continues to aggravate the
situation to a point where the unions are feeling betrayed by this
government.
"If this Premier feels that over 1000 jobs are of such little importance
that they can be cut, I fear that the people of the province will be the
ultimate losers by having to suffer through service reductions. This is not
the new approach that the people of the province voted for during the
election.
"It is now time for this Premier to work towards a settlement with NAPE
and CUPE. Threats and intimidation are not going to avert a strike. The
Premier may want to have a strike, but the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador certainly do not want a strike. I suggest the Premier become
directly involved in the negotiations and finally do something constructive
to reach a settlement with our public servants." |