October 28, 1996
(Executive Council)

Premier announces consultation plans for the labour regime at Hibernia

Premier Brian Tobin, today announced government'�s intention to begin a consultation process to develop a labour relations framework for the production phase of Hibernia. In his opening address to members of the Employers' Council, who are attending the Exploring Options Conference at Hotel Newfoundland for the next two days, the premier announced plans to start the consultation process and asked for members support. "I am asking both labour and management to support this process, because a partnership between labour and management is absolutely critical if this province is to secure its position as a world class producer of oil, and be competitive in the market."

During the construction phase of Hibernia, 15 trade unions represented workers at the Bull Arm site. In recent months, both Hibernia management and representatives of the Oil Development Council, the group representing the 15 unions, met separately with government to present their preferred options for the labour regime for the production phase.

Added the premier: "We appreciate the fact that all parties with an interest in this matter are approaching the idea of a consultation with open minds, and a desire to ensure a mutually acceptable and beneficial labour relations climate for the production phase of offshore development."

The premier said that a consultant will be appointed as soon as is practicable, and representatives from labour, management and other interested parties will be invited to participate in the discussions with the consultant. The results from these consultations will provide government with the information it needs to develop a labour relations process to ensure a stable and safe labour relations climate for the production platform at Hibernia.

Contact:

• Cathy Dornan
  Director of Communications
  Premier's Office
  (709) 729-3564

  Teddy Ryan
  Director of Communications
  Environment and Labour
  (709) 729-2575

BACKGROUNDER

• Since 1990, the Bull Arm site has operated under the designation of a "Special Project" order. This order prescribed the parties to any collective agreement entered into in relation to the work at the site to be the Hibernia Employers' Association Inc. and the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil Development Allied Trades Council.
• Now that the construction phase of the Hibernia project is nearing completion, employees are being hired to work on the Hibernia offshore platform.
• In anticipation of the production phase, both the Hibernia Management and the Oil Development Council (ODC) have met with government to discuss the labour regime that will be in place during the production phase.
• Plans to begin a consultation process have been announced by the premier at the Exploring Options Conference, sponsored by the Employers' Council. The purpose of the consultation process is to try to arrive at a consensus on the most effective and appropriate labour regime.