Labour Dispute Dominates Question Period Wednesday

Sparks flew once again in the legislature on Wednesday morning over the ongoing CUPE New Brunswick labour dispute.

Much of question period was dominated by a back-and-forth between Interim Opposition leader Roger Melanson and Premier Blaine Higgs.

Melanson accused the premier of wanting to let the strike drag on so New Brunswickers will turn on the workers.

The interim Liberal leader said the premier needs to prorogue the house, get back to the negotiating table with CUPE, and get the matter resolved.

“Take the pension off, the salaries are resolved,” said Melanson. “Sign the deal, the strike is over, schools are back in.”

The province wants to convert the defined benefit plans for two school-based locals, which Premier Blaine Higgs has said are significantly underfunded.

But CUPE is against the proposed pension change and wants the province to take it off the table in the negotiations.

The province presented what it called a final offer to CUPE late Thursday night which, in addition to the pension changes, included an annual two per cent wage increase over five years, plus a 25-cent hourly wage adjustment each year.

CUPE presented a similar counter-offer, with a 50-cent hourly wage adjustment in years four and five, and the removal of the pension changes.

Premier Blaine Higgs said he wants CUPE leaders to present the government’s most recent offer to members so they can have their say. He even introduced a motion for debate to get support from MLAs.

“Let’s put it all on the table, let’s let the membership vote and let the house allow that to happen or urge that to happen,” said Higgs.

Melanson described the motion as “propaganda” and said the only solution to the strike is at the negotiating table.