News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government announced today that it will establish a committee to examine labour costs in more detail and improve co-operation between the government and labour stakeholders.

“It has become clear through correspondence and meetings we have had with industry and labour stakeholders that there are many divergent opinions on the proposed changes to binding arbitration,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Francine Landry. “In the interest of collaboration, the government will establish a joint labour management committee with representatives from sectors subject to the Industrial Relations Act to ensure an ongoing dialogue between employees, employers and the government on labour issues.”

The committee will be modelled on the Campbell Committee, which was established to address similar issues in the late 1990s. It will examine the issue of rising labour costs due to binding arbitration awards, especially at universities and municipalities. The committee will be asked to work towards achieving mutually agreeable options for the government’s consideration.

Landry said the provincial government also intends to strike the binding arbitration provisions that were recently introduced as part of a larger bill and will not pursue bringing these into law.

“Firefighters are pleased with Premier Brian Gallant and his government for their collaborative approach to decision-making and consideration of fact-based evidence,” said Glenn Sullivan, president of the International Association of Firefighters.

“The Saint John Construction Association is pleased to hear of the astute move of the government today to withdraw the proposed amendments to the Industrial Relations Act,” said Stephen Beatteay, executive director of the association. “We are more than pleased and are prepared to participate in future consultations on this matter, revisiting more appropriate versions of legislation to deal with this specific issue. We thank the minister for her time to listen and wisdom on the matter.”

“The private sector employer community appreciates that the government has removed the proposed labour arbitration changes ‎from Bill 24 to allow more time to consult and find an approach that is favorable to all parties,” said Joel Richardson, vice-president of the New Brunswick division of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.