New Labrador Benefits Agreement signed

Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Wally Andersen today announced that a new Labrador Benefits Agreement has been signed with five unions, representing public sector employees in Labrador.

This agreement benefits approximately 1,600 workers, including those with provincial government departments, the Labrador School Board and Health Labrador. It is effective from April 1, 2002 and expires on March 31, 2005, and includes provisions for increased travel allowances and places a focus on enhancing benefits for employees who work in isolated communities. The annual cost of the agreement is about $8.65 million.

"This new agreement will help address concerns surrounding recruitment and retention of professionals in Labrador, brought about by the higher cost of living and isolation in the region," Minister Andersen said. "I must commend my colleague, Joan Marie Aylward, President of Treasury Board, and her staff for their hard work in negotiating this agreement."

The Labrador Benefits Agreement was first established in 1990.

Media contact: Bert Pomeroy, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs (709) 896-8668.

2003 04 07                                        2:10 p.m.