Province Reaches a Tentative Collective Agreement with CUPE

The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, today announced the Provincial Government has reached a tentative collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

The tentative agreement reached is for four years with salary increases of eight per cent in the first year and four per cent in each of the following three years.

Premier Williams said this is a good deal for the members of CUPE and a good deal for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.  �With a 20 per cent salary increase over four years, this agreement recognizes the valuable contributions members of CUPE make to this province on a daily basis, yet the agreement is also sustainable in regard to all of the demands on the province�s finances,� said Premier Williams.  �This agreement also reflects our government�s acknowledgment of the sacrifice our public employees have made in achieving greater financial stability in our province in recent years.  We are especially pleased to be able to offer a larger increase in year-one of 8 per cent in recognition of the contribution they have made.�

Minister Marshall said he is pleased that an agreement could be reached satisfactory to both parties. �We have consistently said that we want to negotiate agreements that are reasonable, responsible and sustainable and that is exactly the deal we have reached today with CUPE,� said Minister Marshall.  �We look forward to concluding other collective agreements with public employees in due course.�

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2008 04 24                                                        5:25 p.m.