March 1, 1999
(Executive Council)

President of Treasury Board meets with Nurses' Union President

President of Treasury Board Anna Thistle met today with the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses' Union, Debbie Forward, to discuss outstanding collective bargaining issues.

"Government is anxious to avoid a labour dispute with the nurses and we are certainly willing and able to address workload issues highlighted by the union. I reiterated our willingness to negotiate on these workload issues to the union again this morning. However, the one area in which government does not have flexibility is a pay increase of more than seven per cent," said Minister Thistle. "We have bargained in good faith with our employees, and more than 80 per cent of the public service has signed collective agreements that include the seven per cent increase. Government does not have the resources or the ability to offer the nurses' union more in terms of wages."

The minister said the union indicated that even if agreement can be reached on workload issues, a deal cannot be reached unless it includes more than seven per cent.

Media contact: Paula Dyke, (709) 729-0329.

1999 03 01                                 12:40 p.m.