Minister applauds tentative agreement to end NAPE labour dispute

Education Minister Gerry Reid today applauded the agreement reached between NAPE and seven of the province�s school boards in the early hours of this morning.

"I am pleased and relieved to see that a strike has been averted. I am sure that everyone involved in this dispute, especially the parents and students, share my relief," said Minister Reid. "These past several days have been very difficult and frustrating for everyone, including the support workers and their families."

Minister Reid credits both sides for coming together with a genuine desire to resolve their differences so that children and families in this province would not be affected by any planned job action in our schools. "I am a firm believer that if you bring reasonable people together in the spirit of cooperation, you can resolve almost any issue. That is why I became involved in this matter last week. I extend a special thank you to each of the directors of education and their staffs, the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association (NLSBA), my own officials in the Department of Education as well as Mr. Puddister and his staff. All the parties wanted a resolution and worked into the night to resolve their disagreements and allow the schools to operate without disruption."

NAPE President Leo Puddister said he was pleased this was now resolved and that his workers can go to work on Monday knowing the spirit and intent of the Warren Report has been implemented. "I�m pleased a satisfactory agreement has been reached and that support workers in the school system have gained from the additional hours of work provided for under the Warren Report," said Mr. Puddister.

Bill Lee, NLSBA Executive Director said: " I am pleased and relieved that a resolution has been reached and I commend the parties involved for their commitment and hard work toward resolving this dispute."

Media contact: Nora Daly, Communications, (709) 729-0048.

2003 09 05                                      11:00 a.m.