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Percy Barrett, Opposition Labour Critic and MHA for the District of
Bellevue, is calling on government to give an update on the status of labour
negotiations with teachers, doctors and nurses.
"The services of these professionals have a significant impact on the
lives of the people of this province," said Barrett. "Contracts have been
expired for some time and unions have been hesitant to talk with government
due to the poor labour climate that exists in the province. I am hopeful
that government has learned a lesson from the confrontational approach used
with NAPE, CUPE and the FFAW and do not have the province into another
labour dispute in the near future."
The Liberal MHA pointed out that the Williams administration has a
reputation of trying to strong-arm unions without regard for disruptions of
service to the public. "Given the potential problems which could be caused
for the public of this province should these skilled professionals be forced
to strike, government must give assurances they are committed to
negotiations and will not cause turmoil and service disruptions again this
year.
"The increased revenue government has realized in the last year makes it
highly unlikely that they will be able to claim there is insufficient fiscal
capacity to provide wage and benefit increases. Unless this province is
willing to invest funds and pay competitive wages and benefits in the range
of what these professionals would receive in other provinces, there is a
danger this province will likely face shortages in the near future. In some
regions, we have already experienced difficulties recruiting and retaining
these professionals and government should keep that in mind as they enter
into these negotiations."
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