First-ever request by province: Union
On Feb. 24, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) was served notice that the provincial government has requested the appointment of a conciliation board for six bargaining tables: Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC), School Boards, Laboratory and X-Ray (LX), Maintenance and Operational Services (MOS), Group Homes, and Marine Services, the union said.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the provincial government has ever filed for conciliation in public sector bargaining,” said Jerry Earle, NAPE president. “The thing that is most aggravating about this move by the government is that most of our groups have only been to the table a couple of times.”
Conciliation services are provided to unions and employers to help the parties reach a collective agreement. Normally, this occurs when bargaining has gone on for some time or when progress at the table stalls. Either side may request conciliation, according to the union.
