Card complaint
NAPE slams ‘privatization by stealth’ on driver’s licence IDs
The province’s largest public-sector union is complaining that the government is quietly moving to privatize the production of driver’s licences.
In a news release, Jerry Earle, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) said he was shocked to learn the provincial government had entered into a joint tender with the other three Atlantic provinces to make licence ID cards.
Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia both issued news releases announcing the regional buying scheme on July 15, but there was no announcement from the Newfoundland and Labrador government.
The Telegram made multiple attempts to reach Service NL Minister Eddie Joyce for comment, but he would not make himself available for an interview.
Earle said the lack of clear communication from the provincial government was a big problem.
“To find out about this from a release from another province is absolutely disrespectful to us, the dedicated and hardworking members we represent and the people of the province,” Earle said.
NAPE said that according to the Nova Scotia and P.E.I. news releases, the ID cards will be manufactured centrally and mailed directly to people, a system that will begin next summer.
Earle called the scheme “privatization by stealth” and the union is trying to get answers about the plan from the provincial government.
He said ultimately the whole thing might not be a big deal, but it’s the lack of communication that’s a problem.
“It comes down to this whole issue of having a level of respect and trust for those you deal with,” he said.
“There should have been enough respect to tell the union itself — the employees — what was actually happening.”