In appearing before the board last Friday, the
minister asked the board to designate the shipment of goods to the
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador via the Port of Montreal as an
essential service. Today's decision by the board is the first step toward
the development of an essential services agreement.
In its decision the board stated, "the Board is of
the opinion that a strike or lockout initiated by the union or the
employer, and which would suspend the transport of essential goods to
the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, could constitute an immediate
and serious danger to the safety or health of the public in Newfoundland
and Labrador."
The board has asked the parties "to provide written
submissions by September 13, 2010, in order to determine the level of
service deemed necessary and that must be maintained by the employer and
the union in order to prevent an immediate and serious danger to the
safety or health of the public of Newfoundland and Labrador."
"This is very good news for the people of the province
who rely on the delivery of many essential items through the Port of
Montreal," said Minister Hedderson. "The Provincial Government remains
ready to provide any additional information that the board may require."
The board has scheduled a hearing to be held on
September 17 to determine the level of service to be deemed essential.
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Media contact:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
2010 09 01
3:50 p.m.