FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government will soon mark the 20th contract signed with labour groups since October 2014.

In September, the government reached a tentative collective agreement with the union representing school bus drivers, custodians, maintenance and repair staff, forepersons and other tradespeople working in the province’s seven school districts. That agreement, expected to be signed in early December, will be the 20th.

“I congratulate the team of negotiators from our department, as well as the union leadership, for having achieved such outstanding results,” said Treasury Board President Roger Melanson, whose department includes the government’s central human resource services.

“Although our government has been faced with economic challenges, we believe our bargaining mandate of one per cent annual wage increases has been fair and responsible,” said Melanson. “We respect and value the work of our employees, and we have demonstrated our commitment to fair collective bargaining.“  

"We are pleased that the government came to the table in good faith, ready to have a meaningful discussion," said Susie Proulx-Daigle, president of the New Brunswick Union, which represents workers covered by 10 of the 20 contracts. "As with all negotiations, there is a give and take, but it is made much easier when there is mutual respect at the bargaining table."

The groups that have reached agreements with the government include, among others:

  • forest rangers
  • administrative assistants
  • engineers
  • highway workers and supervisors
  • lawyers
  • social workers
  • educational assistants and school administrative assistants
  • school business officials
  • nurses and nurse managers
  • public health inspectors
  • laboratory technologists
  • pharmacists, occupational therapists, and other health care professionals
  • medical laboratory technicians, diagnostic imaging technicians and other medical science professionals

 

28-11-16