Both sides optimistic
Since Tom Osborne took over as minister of finance, all the main players are cautiously optimistic but mostly tight-lipped about public-sector contract talks.
This, in itself, is a big change from a few months ago, when relations between the unions and then-finance minister Cathy Bennett were downright toxic, and nobody was being too quiet about it.
NAPE president Jerry Earle said back then he was doubtful that there’d be a negotiated settlement, but he’s feeling more positive now.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that we can reach a negotiated agreement,” Earle said.
“At least if you’re permitted to have frank dialogue, open discussion, look at the issues, then you can reach an agreement.”
Earle said that he had a lengthy meeting with Osborne last week, which went quite well.
As an early olive branch, Osborne also gave the unions a quiet heads-up before it was publicly announced that the provincial government was parting ways with law firm Mcinnes Cooper.
The unions had felt like the legal advice from lawyer Dennis Mahoney was pushing the government to take a much more confrontational stance in negotiations.
“At this particular point, I’ve committed to a respectful process with the unions — a respectful dialogue,” Osborne said.
“I will work with the leadership of the unions to try and find a successful resolution that works for both sides. Obviously with the fiscal situation that the province is in currently, we need to find a solution that works for both sides.”
Both the Registered Nurses’ Union and CUPE declined to do interviews for this story.
CUPE-NL president Wayne Lucas said that he’s cautiously optimistic about negotiations, and that in the interest of a productive dialogue, he’s trying to establish a “cone of silence” over things.
Both Osborne and Earle mentioned the province’s fiscal situation — with a huge deficit that the province is trying to tackle — but both men said they think a solution can be found when it comes to unionized workers’ contracts.
“We acknowledge that there’s difficult times in the province, and our members have no unrealistic expectations,” Earle said.