N.B. Premier Coy About Back-To-Work Legislation
FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick legislature will open Tuesday without a throne speech which paves the way for the government to get down to business. But that does not include a quick resolution to the strike that’s closed schools across the province.
In a briefing with the media late Monday afternoon, Premier Blaine Higgs did not commit to back-to-work legislation to end the CUPE strike – at least not right away.
Higgs said both sides must have time to plan during this labour dispute.
“CUPE has to plan but it can’t be what’s been quoted as – ‘how much disruption can we cause in every part of the province as often as we want’ – without any ability for the government to react,” he noted.
Higgs did not provide a timeline over possible back-to-work legislation.
He said he remained hopeful that meaningful discussions will take place.
The interim Liberal leader called it “shameful” the way Premier Higgs is punishing members of CUPE.
Thousand of education staff were locked out over the weekend as the strike continues.
Roger Melanson said the move to online learning is the Higgs government trying to get parents and others to turn on the workers.
“You don’t treat your employees this way. You get to the table, you negotiate. You lock yourself in, not lock yourself out of a negotiating session until you can get a resolution,” Melanson said.
The Opposition Leader said he doesn’t want to see back to work legislation introduced this week.
He thinks resolving the CUPE strike should be the main focus of the new legislative session which starts on Tuesday.
“We are hearing rumours they may bring something, they may not. They may use the state of emergency pretext. They may bring something [into] the legislature for the healthcare side. They may bring something for education,” Melanson said.
Melanson said he turned down an invitation to attend the traditional dinner hosted by the Lieutenant-Governor before a new legislative session.
He said he doesn’t feel comfortable attending when people are on strike.
With files from Allan Dearing from 91.9 The Bend in Moncton and Tamara Steele from Country 94 in Saint John.