Newfoundland locals demonstrate in support of bargaining team

Newfoundland locals heeded the call for action as the PA bargaining team met with the Treasury Board beginning April 21. In Stephenville (Local 90106) and Harbour Grace (Local 90114), members drew the attention of the public to the recent $4600 pay increase for MP’s and called for a fair contract for public service employees.

Stephenville Local President Barry Wilton said that while his local was small “We don’t have any problem making our voices heard. We all want a decent contract and we don’t want Treasury Board’s usual delays this time around.”

According to Harbour Grace Local President Debbie McCarthy, her members were looking at the April 1 pay increase of $4600 for MP’s and asking “What about us? Why hasn’t the government made us a good offer by now? Our contract expired in June 2007.”

National Vice-President Denise Best applauded the work of the locals, saying, “Every action helps get our point across to Treasury Board. If we aren’t seen and heard, we aren’t going to be getting much in this round of bargaining.” Adding her congratulations was National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay who said, “Local actions, small or large, send the right messages to our bargaining team and our employer. Locals in Newfoundland & Labrador have shown solid support in the past and it’s great to see them doing it again.”