Minister Comments on Unions' Refusal to Meet

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR–Minister Comments on Unions' Refusal to Meet

Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent is calling union leadership's refusal to meet a missed opportunity.

"I think the union leadership have missed an opportunity here to discuss draft collective bargaining legislation for health care and community services," said Mr. Parent. "Things happen when people talk, but they've so far refused our every invitation to sit down together. That's very hard to understand in the modern era of labour relations."

Since June 18, the Department of Environment and Labour has offered to meet with the union representatives on six occasions to discuss proposed legislation. The most recent invitation was faxed to union leadership on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

The minister will meet with employer representatives to discuss the principles of the draft legislation later today.