Minister commends improved labour relations climate and success of 
Preventative Mediation Program

Percy Barrett, Minister of Labour, today commended the cooperative efforts of business and labour in helping reduce the number of work stoppages in the province during 2002 to five, the lowest in five years and only one short of the record low of four stoppages in a year.

"The 1,793 person-days lost as a result of the five work stoppages is the second lowest ever recorded," said Minister Barrett. "In 1964, there were 1,070 person-days lost due to work stoppages, this is the lowest on record and gives some sense of the accomplishment achieved by business and labour in their efforts to improve the labour climate in the province."

The minister also said the improvement in the number of work stoppages is in part due to the efforts of the Labour Branch of the Department of Labour to increase stakeholder awareness of the division�s dispute resolution services; with specific emphasis on the division�s Preventive Mediation Program (PMP).

"In order to better target its stakeholders, the division has upgraded its training and presentation manuals to better meet today�s workplace needs," said Minister Barrett. "Since that time the division has utilized, and continues to utilize, every opportunity to meet with stakeholders in both the public and private sectors by participating in and presenting at conferences, meetings, forums and educational seminars."

The minister said that the division�s strategy have already produced noticeable results, especially in stakeholder requests for grievance mediation and problem solving training. "From January to July 2003, we have received 122 requests for our Preventive Mediation Program, compared to 32 requests during the same period in 2002," said Minister Barrett. "Year end forecasts indicate that our grievance mediation request numbers will be the highest since 1995 and our training modules will exceed all previous years except for 1997. These are low end forecasts, with expectations for even higher numbers as we proceed with this strategy. With such successful results, I feel it is only a matter of time before we will see an expansion of the program in the province.

"A stable labour relations climate where productivity and morale are high is critical to attracting business and growing our economy. I am confident that the collective effort of the labour and business community working in close collaboration with government will ensure the continued improvement of our labour climate and make the province an attractive place to do business."

Further information on the Preventive Mediation Program can be found at: //www.gov.nl.ca/labour/labour/LabRel/preventive_mediation.asp

Media contact: Janice Lockyer, Communications, (709) 729-1741.

2003 08 11                                     10:00 a.m.