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NLIS 4
October 25, 2000
(Executive Council)

 

Government offers solution to end strike

President of Treasury Board Anna Thistle said today that government is concerned with the health and safety of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the face of the continuing strike by lab and x-ray workers. For that reason, government has moved to take extraordinary measures.

"I want to make very clear that the reason we are taking these extraordinary measures is because we have concerns about the health and safety of families around the province," said Minister Thistle. "We are concerned about cancer patients, about those waiting for cardiac surgery, and for newborns and others who may require treatment that cannot be provided."

Government has now put forward a specific mediator, John Roil, and sent NAPE terms of reference for the mediation. This is further to government�s agreement on Tuesday to appoint a mediator to help resolve the laboratory and x-ray workers illegal strike.

The terms include a mutually agreed upon mediator to facilitate a resolution to the issue of an occupational classification study. This process will start as soon as possible after workers return to their jobs and will be completed prior to November 9, 2000. The mediator, if unable to bring the parties to a mutually agreeable settlement, has the right to produce a non-binding report with recommendations. This report would be presented to both bargaining teams at the next scheduled session of collective bargaining, set for November 9, 2000.

"This is an illegal strike and under normal circumstances government would not consider a mediator in this situation," noted the minister. "As noted previously, these are not ordinary circumstances, and the health and safety of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is our first concern. I believe this is a fair and reasonable process for both groups.

"However, it is also imperative that people obey the law. Before any of this can occur, workers must go back to their jobs. It is now up to NAPE to get their workers back on the job and begin the mediation process. It is time for NAPE to restore service within the health care system."

Media contact: Carmel Parsons, (709) 729-6830.

2000 10 25 3:25 p.m.


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