Human Resources, Labour and Employment
September 16, 2009
Minister Reiterates Commitment to
Workers and Legislative Review
Today the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of
Human Resources, Labour and Employment, responded to
misleading comments by the Leader of the NDP relating to
the Provincial Government�s commitment to workers
throughout the province.
"Recent statements made by the Leader of the NDP to
the effect that this government has not acted on a
commitment to introduce replacement worker legislation
are not accurate and deserve to be corrected," said the
Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment. "This government has never made
such a commitment. Along with labour and business, the
Provincial Government did commit to undertake a review
of provincial labour legislation and we are actively
involved in that process. Working together, we are
making progress with this extensive and time intensive
review."
Minister Sullivan also took offense to Ms. Michael�s
statement that the Provincial Government does not care
about the workers of this province.
"This government continuously demonstrates our
incredible commitment to labour through the signing of
new labour agreements that will ensure continued
prosperity in Newfoundland and Labrador," added Minister
Sullivan. "And certainly the workers in the central
region would agree that this government proved its
concern for their well-being when it committed to
provide financial benefits for workers displaced by the
closure of the AbitibiBowater mill. That Ms. Michael
would say that this government does not care about
workers is truly offensive."
Minister Sullivan also spoke of the Provincial
Government�s commitment to ensuring positive
employee-employer relations.
"The Williams Government also continues to prove its
commitment to the people and workers of Newfoundland and
Labrador through our ongoing efforts to ensure a healthy
employment relations climate in the province," said
Minister Sullivan.
One such example Minister Sullivan noted was
legislation recently passed to establish a labour
management arbitration committee with the mandate of
ensuring high quality and effective arbitration
processes under collective agreements. The legislation,
An Act to Amend the Labour Relations Act, was
introduced into the House of Assembly in April 2008 and
came into effect on June 4, 2008.
Minister Sullivan also said that labour, business,
and the Provincial Government will continue to work
together to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador�s
labour legislation supports optimum employer and
employee relations in the province.
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Media contact:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca
2009 09 16 10:30 a.m.