President of Treasury Board refutes critic�s comments

President of Treasury Board Anna Thistle said that government is certainly committed to the ongoing classification review process for nurses, licenced practical nurses, social workers and allied health professionals, and is looking forward to the outcome of that process.

"The accelerated classification review process for this group of professionals is ongoing and government, the employers and the unions are working together on this issue," said Minister Thistle. "Government will respect the outcome of that review including whatever financial commitment is required. The reason funds were not allocated in the 2000 budget for this purpose is because government does not want to presume the outcome of the review. It should be noted that funds are not typically allocated in advance for classification studies. But, rest assured, if funds are required, those funds will be found."

Government anticipates the review will be completed before the end of the summer.

The minister went on to point out that Mr. Hodder�s assertion that public service pensioners were promised something in the budget is untrue.

"Government met with representatives of the pensioners and their union to discuss options weeks before the budget," said Minister Thistle. "The result of the meeting was clear; any solution to the issue of indexing must be a shared solution, and without a workable proposal, there would be no further discussion."

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

2000 03 24                                                 3:25 p.m.