Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would have liked to settle weeks ago, but unfortunately we are caught up in a battle that is not necessarily being driven by territorial politics and more by national ones. It is certainly our desire, one to deal with the bad faith bargaining issue, which is an allegation by the UNW not us. I believe that gets dealt with on Monday. I am hopeful that the courts will see that we are bargaining in good faith. We will apply, under the Public Service Act, in accordance with the rules that are in place, that a mediator will be appointed because we can not come to an agreement with the union on that. Once that is done, the mediator is supposed to help both parties reach a resolve. I want to resolve this thing. As I have said to my honourable colleague many times, both informally and formally, as quickly as possible to put money in the hands of our employees. At the end of the day, it is up to the UNW to give the democratic right to each of our constituents and employees to vote on what we think is a fair and reasonable settlement. I want to remind everybody that we want to give the people more money not less money. Thank you.
John Todd on Question 19-13(6): Timely Settlement Of Pay Equity Issue
In the Legislative Assembly on September 16th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Return To Question 19-13(6): Timely Settlement Of Pay Equity Issue
Question 19-13(6): Timely Settlement Of Pay Equity Issue
Item 6: Oral Questions
September 15th, 1998
Page 45
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.