NLIS 5
May 2, 2001
(Executive Council)

In response to statements by Fred Andrews, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association (NLTA), Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, said today that government has always been willing to negotiate during the spring and summer in an effort to conclude a collective agreement with teachers as soon as possible.

"While some meetings were rescheduled for legitimate reasons, like the public sector strike, there is no intention on the part of government to delay these negotiations," said the minister. "It is difficult some times to accommodate everyone�s schedule. I noticed in today�s paper that the NLTA also had to rearrange meetings they had scheduled last month with the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association." Six more meetings are already scheduled between now and the end of the school year and additional meeting dates are being discussed with the NLTA.

 "The current agreement with teachers does not expire until August 31, 2001 and it is not unusual for negotiations to continue beyond a contract expiry date," said the minister. Since1981, the NLTA has never signed a contract before the expiry date.

The minister said the NLTA is looking for a substantial package and there are still a significant number of outstanding items besides straight salary (compensation for principals, reduced class sizes, more instructional time, etc.). "We are willing to continue to negotiate and move the process along in a timely fashion and throughout the summer if that is what the NLTA wants."

Media contact: Glen Bruce, Communications, (709) 729-6793.

2001 05 02                                                     4:55 p.m.