Province Names Special Advisor for Labour Talks

Friday, January 20, 2006 04:26 PM

The Province is heading into contract negotiations with 90% of the public sector workers this year, and has retained Lee Doney as "Special Advisor, Labour Bargaining."

Doney will report to the deputy minister to the Premier.

This is part of the Province's new "Negotiating Framework". Two analysts have been added to the Public Sector Employees Council, and audit staff are at work in the Ministry of Finance. The government says theses moves will speed up the "review of bargaining proposals and contract costing."

Most of the contracts up for renewal are set to expire at the end of March. The Mininster of Finance, Carole Taylor has already indicated there will be wage increase, but the province is also willing to be more flexible. She has said there may be funds available for other things like training programs, or things that would improve the working environment. Incentives are being offered for labour groups willing to sign a new deal before the March 31st deadline.
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Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 04:26 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Gofaster on January 20 2006 6:17 PM

Up to now the negotiations have been court orders and then retractions of their agreements. I wonder why we would think this time would be any different.

Posted by: Percy on January 20 2006 11:22 PM

We can offer incentives and tax credits to outside business or, we can offer incentives to our local labour workforce. What's the difference.

In the end, we just want jobs for our citizens and people who want to work. Percy

Posted by: McDuck on January 21 2006 12:43 AM

As a member of HEU, I will put a wager on it, that if the government does increase wages and benefits in the public sector that the biggest slice of the pie will go to the Unions representing the professional workers, like social workers and nurses. The attitude prevails in the industry that support agencies and workers are less important, less needed, and therefore less deserving. This is a miconception by government and the public. These services and workers carry a large chunk of the burden when it comes to delivering health care. When it comes to members of your family who experience health problems, it's most likely that frontline support workers will come into contact with them almost every day. But, don't worry. Whether or not we receive wage increases and benefits, we deliver top quality services by highly trained, dedicated and committed people. Your family members, when ill, are, and will continue to be in good hands.