Minister pleased with ratification of NAPE agreements

Loyola Sullivan, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, said today that government is pleased with the ratification of tentative agreements by five Newoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) bargaining units.

Government reached tentative agreements with NAPE last month for College of the North Atlantic faculty members, College of the North Atlantic supported employment, the province�s group homes, employees at the Workplace Health and Safety Compensation Commission, and ushers at the province�s Arts and Culture Centres.

"We are extremely pleased that the ratification process has been completed for all five NAPE groups and that they have voted in favour of their four-year tentative agreements," said Minister Sullivan.

The minister added, "Government is committed to concluding settlements with all bargaining units within our current fiscal realities. This was demonstrated with Premier Williams� recent announcement of a one per cent salary increase for public sector employees whose collective agreements were finalized last year. Our improved financial situation could not have been possible without the role that public sector workers played and we have acknowledged that with the increase in their salary."

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-6830, 685-6612

2005 12 22                     9:30 a.m.