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Roland Butler, Opposition Liberal MHA for the District of Port De Grave,
wants the Minister of Transportation and Works to explain exactly what is
happening with road maintenance workers in the province. "I am hearing
that as many as 16 depots around this province will close for the summer
months and the jobs of approximately 125 employees will be made seasonal,"
says Butler. "The reports I am receiving directly from workers is that 13
office staff, 37 labourers and 75 Highway Equipment Operators will be
impacted by this change in government policy."
The Liberal MHA is concerned that public safety might be compromised and
road conditions will deteriorate as fewer workers are expected to cover
expanded areas. "These changes will obviously impact on the quality of road
maintenance during the summer months when a lot of people are traveling and
routine annual maintenance is completed. It is yet another example of how
this government is neglecting its responsibilities to rural areas of this
province."
Butler says workers are also raising concerns with him about the
direction which government is going in terms of the way roads will be
maintained in the future. "These workers are very concerned that this
government is heading towards contracting out all road maintenance. I have
been told about instances of where government is currently contracting out
rather than repairing equipment. They fear that government has a hidden
agenda and is in the process of moving toward full contracting out of
maintenance."
The Liberal MHA says he understands the fears of these workers and is
calling upon the Minister to clarify what is happening in this regard. "The
Minister has been very evasive in answering questions on this issue in the
past and it is time he was clear and up front with these workers and the
driving public."
Butler says he is disappointed with the way government has set priorities
in the budget. "People have characterized the budget as a budget of missed
opportunities and nowhere is this move evident than in rural areas. Due to
their improved fiscal position, government had an opportunity to improve
transportation networks and do other things to revitalize rural areas but
they chose not to do so." |