NLIS 1
August 27, 2004
(Human Resources, Labour and Employment)

 

Minister responds to statements about current labour situation

Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, said today that statements made by labour critic Percy Barrett and other members of the official opposition in recent days and weeks about the current labour situation in the province are misleading and incorrect.

"The Aliant strike falls under federal jurisdiction. I would think that Mr. Barrett, as the opposition critic and a former minister of labour would know that. As the minister responsible for the Labour Relations Agency, I have been very active on this file and have taken every measure to promote a settlement within my provincial capacity. In the very early days of the strike, I contacted then federal labour minister Claudette Bradshaw outlining our concerns and emphasizing the need to get this dispute settled as quickly as possible. Just last Friday, I spoke with the new federal labour minister Joe Fontana, again emphasizing the impact the strike is having on the province and the need to get the parties back to the table," said Minister Burke.

"The actions I have taken to date are both appropriate and responsible as is the Premier�s intent to raise the issue of the length of the Aliant strike at a meeting of Atlantic premiers next week. We are aware of the impact such disputes have on the economy and we are concerned for all of those affected. We are working to facilitate an end to the strike within our provincial capacity."

It has also been suggested that current labour disputes are somehow connected to the public sector strike last spring. "The fact of the matter is that 2004 was going to be an extremely active year for labour negotiations in this province regardless of the public sector dispute. Many collective agreements that were negotiated two, three and four years ago are up for renewal this year. In fact, the number of collective agreements expiring is up by about 25 to 30 per cent over previous years. With or without the public sector strike, these agreements were expiring and when you have these large numbers of contract negotiations ongoing in one year naturally there is a greater likelihood of an increasing number of disputes," said Minister Burke. "I would have to question Mr. Barrett�s knowledge of the former Department of Labour when he served as minister, if he is not aware of this fact.

"Senior mediators of the Labour Relations Agency have been in close contact with both parties involved in the labour disputes at Wabush Mines and the Iron Ore Company of Canada in Labrador City. I have every confidence in the experience and ability of the mediators who are involved in trying to assist the parties to resolve these disputes. I am closely monitoring these situations and I am regularly updated on the progress being made in each set of negotiations."

Despite the extremely busy collective bargaining calendar, many new contracts have been successfully negotiated this year by business and labour without a work stoppage. One of the most notable of these was the recent five year deal worked out between the Canadian, Energy and Paperworkers Union and the paper mills in Grand Falls-Winsor and Stephenville. "As the minister responsible for the Labour Relations Agency, I want to commend the many labour and business negotiators who have excellent relationships and who have successfully negotiated labour agreements during this very busy period," said Minister Burke. "It is most unfortunate that their efforts may be damaged by the selective statements made by members of the opposition."

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-4062

2004 08 27                                          9:20 a.m.


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