|
NLIS 1 April 20, 2004 (Human Resources, Labour and Employment) The following statement was issued today by Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. It was also read in the House of Assembly: I rise in the House today to inform my honourable colleagues that as minister responsible for the Labour Relations Agency, I will instruct the agency�s mediators to conduct exploratory talks with government and union negotiators to determine if there is any basis for a settlement in the current public sector dispute. The public sector dispute is now into its 20th day. I have been closely monitoring this situation, including the past several days, during which time there have been repeated attempts by the parties to negotiate a settlement. I have also noted that both sides have clearly stated their desire to end this dispute. Despite that, they have been unable to reach a resolution. The Labour Relations Agency has a mandate and responsibility to provide conciliation and mediation assistance to all parties during contract negotiations. This applies to both public and private sectors in the province. In previous circumstances the assistance of mediators has proven beneficial. Under my instruction, labour relations mediators will contact the parties involved to explore with them any common ground that may still remain and could result in a negotiated settlement. 2004 04 20 2:10 p.m. |
||
|
