MCNEIL: LABOUR TURMOIL UNNECESSARY, NOVA SCOTIANS DESERVE BETTER
Date: Monday January 18, 2010

(Halifax, NS) Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil says it is now clear the NDP government had the ability all a long to settle contracts with two groups of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) workers.

"The contract with school workers was settled after just a few hours of negotiations and the hospital strike was settled after a weekend of talks," said McNeil. "One has to ask the question: why did the province wait until the last minute to make its offers?"

33 hospitals outside the capital region of the province were affected, as well all schools outside of Halifax.

"The Deputy-Premier has confirmed the province offered the hospital workers wage parity with workers in the Capital District," said McNeil. "Obviously, that could have been offered anytime since talks halted last November. Instead, hospitals have been scaling back services, patients have had surgeries canceled and workers have been put through unnecessary turmoil."

"Parents of children, workers and patients deserve better."

-30-