NSGEU Contract Negotiations Move Forward

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION--NSGEU Contract Negotiations Move Forward

Michael Baker, Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission, is pleased procedures that will lead to the resolution of the collective bargaining impasse with the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) are moving forward.

On Tuesday, Feb. 26, the Nova Scotia Civil Service Employee Relations Board will hear presentations from both the government and the union to determine what items can go to arbitration. Then both parties will present their cases to the Interest Arbitration Board, whose decision will be final and binding.

"We certainly appreciate the frustration of not having a contract, and that has resulted in the union organizing an information picket tomorrow during their lunch hour," said Mr. Baker. "Government's goal throughout this collective bargaining process has been to provide employees with fair wages, but this must be done within our budgetary means."

The union represents about 5,300 civil servants. Their collective agreement expired in March 2000 and since then the collective bargaining process has continued. In 2001, the union rejected an offer of a 5.8 per cent wage increase over three years. The payroll for the these employees is about $235 million each year.

"Employees deserve a collective agreement that is fair, however, the challenge is to strike a balance that meets employees' needs and is also within government's fiscal means," said Mr. Baker. "Tomorrow's hearings will take us one step closer to a new collective agreement."

The Public Service Commission acts as the provincial government's employer for the civil service. The commission also establishes the parameters for collective bargaining in the broader public sector on behalf of government.