News Release
June 5, 2003

Wayne Gaudet, MLA
Clare

For Immediate Release

NOTE TO PREMIER: IT’S TIME FOR LEADERSHIP

(Halifax, NS) Community Services CriticWayne Gaudet is calling on the Premier to show some leadership by calling on an independent third party to resolve the strike between Regional Residential Services Society and its employees.

"Our most vulnerable citizens have suffered, their families are upset, the workers are frustrated and the employer has done all they can," said Gaudet. "It’s time for the Premier to take action and appoint a neutral third party to resolve this strike once and for all."

The 250 counselors have been on strike for 57 days. Government was given the opportunity to avert the strike by conducting an independent job evaluation of the tasks performed by a RRSS worker and a Developmental Worker at the Nova Scotia Hospital. Once the strike started Government was also given the options of appointing a conciliation board, a third party arbitrator and an industrial inquiry commission. Government refused to act on any of these options.

"Unfortunately, the Government refusing to take responsibility when leadership is required has been a hallmark of their Adminstration. When people suffer and there is no end in sight, leadership is required. Premier Hamm must step in and ensure that a neutral third party reviews the issue and makes a decision so that the tremendous burden being placed on everyone can be lifted once and for all," said Gaudet.

—30—