Review of Preventive Mediation Program Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment and Labour, today released the results from an external evaluation of the department's Preventive Mediation Program. An external consultant, Gerard McDonald of McDonald Human Resources was contracted to conduct a review of the department's program by consulting extensively with key stakeholders involved, namely employers, unions, and employees involved in this program. In completing this review, all six components of the Preventive Mediation Program were evaluated since the program was introduced in 1992. The minister noted that the consultant's findings indicate that overall, there is no question that the Preventive Mediation Program has been a success. The program, its various components, and the people involved in delivery, are highly regarded in the labour community, both in this province and nationally. According to the consultant's report since this program was introduced in 1992, the department has achieved an overall Grievance Mediation settlement rate of 84 per cent. He stated that this is a telling trend, and it is clear that client satisfaction is ultimately related to its outcome. The minister said: "Clients find the biggest benefits in the areas of improving the way parties deal with grievances, improving their abilities to settle their own differences and the potential to avoid further costs." The minister also said that the consultant found the intervention and involvement of the department was critical to the program's success. On a national scale, the Preventive Mediation Program has won the appreciation of many employers such as Diane Barsoski, past corporate vice-president of human resources with Thompson Newspapers: "I must tell you that your program exceeded our expectations. By all accounts both the newspaper's management and union feel the program has helped them to improve their relationship. As well, management perceives an improvement in the morale of the paper already." According to the minister, the results from this evaluation indicate the program has been very successful in meeting the needs of clients. "Our department is providing a valuable service which has been very effective in accomplishing what it was designed to do - improve communications, enhance problem-solving and dispute resolution skills, and build labour-management relations." For further information on the results of the Preventive Mediation Program Evaluation or assistance with any workplace issue, contact the Labour Relations Division of the department at (709) 729-2711. Contact: Rachelle Cochrane, Labour Branch, (709) 729-2242. BACKGROUNDER
|
|||||
|