The Premier says labour certainty within Newfoundland and Labrador for all public sector groups is extremely important.

Dwight Ball says the negotiating teams were able to successfully strike a deal with NAPE prior to the pandemic, and the agreement with the Registered Nurses Union is a result of discussions prior to the pandemic as well.

Ball says the two sides were able to conclude those discussions and get an agreement in place.

He says nurses are no doubt providing an essential service amid the pandemic, but the deal is a result of negotiations prior to the pandemic.

Nurses president Debbie Forward agrees that it a “good neighbour” type agreement, and contains little in reference to the pandemic but if there’s one thing she has learned, it’s that future contracts should contain language regarding pandemics.